Coquitlam is marking Circular Economy Month and encouraging residents and businesses to reuse, recycle and support waste reduction.
COQUITLAM, B.C., October 1, 2025 – Coquitlam is marking Circular Economy Month and encouraging residents and businesses to reuse, recycle and support waste reduction.
What is a Circular Economy?
In a linear economy, we take materials, make products and then throw them away. A circular economy instead designs products for their whole life cycle, so materials can be recovered, reused and kept out of landfills. This means manufacturers create longer-lasting, repairable products, and consumers support companies that prioritize reuse, repair and take-back programs.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Here in Coquitlam, residents can support a circular economy by utilizing City programs that help recover materials and give items a second life. This includes reusing and recycling items, prioritizing repair over replacement, and making sure materials are recovered wherever possible to reduce waste and protect the environment.
- Curbside Collection app – Residents who receive curbside waste collection from the City can download the free Coquitlam Curbside Collection app. The app provides waste reduction tips, sorting information, collection day reminders and details on special programs such as the free Seasonal Unlimited Yard Trimmings collection (coquitlam.ca/recollect).
- Waste Wizard – Online search tool to find out how to properly dispose of any item (coquitlam.ca/WasteWizard).
- Recycling – In addition to the curbside recycling offered by Recycle BC, residents can also drop off at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre (coquitlam.ca/recycling).
- Repair Café – Taking place four times a year, Repair Cafés are events where residents can bring broken items to be fixed for free by volunteers. The next event is taking place October 4 (coquitlam.ca/RepairCafe).
- City-Wide Garage Sale and Giveaway – Held each spring and fall, the City-Wide Garage Sale and Giveaway helps keep good items out of the landfill, with listings appearing on an online map and promoted through City channels (coquitlam.ca/GarageSale).
- Guide to Donating Locally – A resource to help residents find local organizations or businesses where they can donate items (View the Guide).
- Large Item Pick Up – Residents who receive City curbside collection can have up to four large items collected free of charge per year. Effective October 6, electronics will now be accepted (coquitlam.ca/LIPU).
Not Sure Where Something Goes?
To find out how to properly dispose of items, use the Waste Wizard at coquitlam.ca/WasteWizard or contact WasteReduction@coquitlam.ca or 604-927-3500. Waste sorting and collection information is also available at coquitlam.ca/TrashTalk.
Media contact:
Julie Kanya
Manager Environmental Education & Enforcement
604-927-3500
epw@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.