COQUITLAM, B.C., June 20, 2024 – Coquitlam’s 2024/2025 curbside collection calendars are here, with important information on garbage and green waste pickup schedules and details on additional waste management programs.
Residents should have received their collection calendar, which is in effect July 2024 – June 2025, and although the calendar and map may look a bit different with new zone-specific information for each collection day, there are no changes to collection days or schedules from the previous service period.
Waste Reduction Programs
Only properties that pay a Garbage Fee on the Annual Utility Bill receive City waste collection services. This fee covers the following programs and services:
- Curbside Collection: Garbage Carts are for waste that cannot be composted or recycled, and Green Carts are for food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard trimmings. Recycling for paper, cardboard, plastic, metal and glass is a service provided at no cost by Recycle BC.
- Large Item Pickup: Residents can have up to four large household items collected each year, July 1 to June 30.
- Extra Yard Trimmings collection: Six weeks of unlimited yard trimmings collection (grass clippings, pruned branches, leaves, etc.) each spring and fall.
- Free, year-round, drop-off of green waste at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre, 995 United Boulevard (proof of residency required).
- Town Centre Park Recycling Depot: Free drop-off of residential recycling - Styrofoam, flexible and film plastics, cardboard and paper, mixed containers, household batteries, books and food scraps.
- Cart repairs and exchanges: Request cart repair or exchanges online (exchange fees may apply).
Other Coquitlam waste-reduction initiatives include the City-Wide Garage Sale and Giveaway Event (twice a year) Repair Cafés and backyard composter program.
These initiatives support Coquitlam’s Environmental Sustainability Plan waste management goals:
- Minimize waste generation;
- Maximize reuse, recycling and material recovery; and
- Ensure adequate disposal opportunities exist to discourage illegal dumping and littering.
Download the Curbside Collection App
Already in use by almost 75% of households who receive curbside collection, the free Coquitlam Curbside Collection app (available on Android and Apple) provides residents with personalized collection schedules, collection day and seasonal program reminders and important service updates or disruption notices. Residents who have not yet downloaded the app are encouraged to do so—search “Coquitlam Curbside Collection” in the app store—or sign up for phone call or email reminders online at coquitlam.ca/Recollect.
Residents can also book a large-item pickup, request a cart repair or exchange, report missed collection(s), use the Waste Wizard search tool to find out where and how to dispose of waste properly and find more information about all other waste reduction programs via the app.
Securing Waste from Urban Wildlife
Residents are responsible for securing their waste so that it does not attract wildlife, and those who fail to manage attractants correctly may face fines up to $500. Waste must be stored in a shed or garage, or kept indoors, and carts can only be set out after 5:30 a.m. on collection day. Green Cart clips are not bear-proof and cannot be used to secure waste. Visit coquitlam.ca/BearSmart to learn how to store and secure your waste, and for additional tips on managing attractants.
Solid Waste Facts and Figures
- More than 25,500 residential properties receive bi-weekly garbage and weekly green waste collection from the City.
- Last year, approximately 50% of the 8,400 items collected through the Large Item Pick Up program were recycled.
- In 2023, 70% of household waste was diverted from the landfill through recycling and green waste programs.
- Almost 200 tonnes of household recyclable material was collected at the Town Centre Recycling Depot in 2023.
- 87% of residents reported strong satisfaction with the City's recycling and garbage services according to the 2023 Community Satisfaction Survey.
Media contact:
Shannon Hadley
Solid Waste and Special Projects Manager
604-927-3500
wastereduction@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.