COQUITLAM, B.C., September 17, 2026 – This October, the City of Coquitlam is marking Circular Economy Month by encouraging residents and businesses to repair, reuse or recycle items rather than throwing them away in the landfill.

What is a Circular Economy?
A circular economy keeps products and materials in use for as long as possible. By creating and investing in products that last longer, can be fixed, reused, or broken down into their original parts, we can conserve natural resources, reduce waste and emissions and build a more resilient community.

Moving Away from Take-Make-Waste
Residents can support a circular economy by using City programs that help recover materials and give items a second life. This includes rethinking and reusing items, prioritizing repair over replacement and making sure materials are recycled and recovered wherever possible to reduce waste and protect the environment.

• 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 by giving them a second life with a new owner. The fall edition is happening this weekend on September 19 and 20. (coquitlam.ca/GarageSale).
• Repair Café – Taking place four times a year, these events allow residents to bring broken items to be fixed for free by volunteers. The next event is taking place October 10 at Maillardville Community Centre (coquitlam.ca/RepairCafe). 
• Halloween Costume Swap – Help spread the spooky spirit by bringing old costumes to donate or swap at Poirier Community Centre. Open all month ahead of Halloween. (Course ID: 242884)
• Guide to Donating Locally – A resource to help residents find local organizations or businesses where they can donate items (View the Guide).
• 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 – This online search tool can help people 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).
• Large Item Pick Up – Residents who receive City curbside collection can have up to four large items collected free of charge per year. Effective Fall 2025, electronics are now 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:
Caresse Selk 
Senior 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.