COQUITLAM, B.C., October 7, 2026 – With autumn leaves starting to pile up, Coquitlam residents who receive City waste collection, can take advantage of free curbside pickup for their extra yard trimmings from October 19 to November 26.

Set out all extra waste from yard cleanups, such as leaves, grass clippings and pruned branches, during the six-week period and the City will collect it at no extra cost on your regular collection day. Last year, approximately 400 tonnes of yard waste was collected, helping to keep yards tidy, while turning yard waste into usable compost and helping to prevent leaves from clogging storm drains, catch basins, and creeks.

Preparing for Yard Waste Pickup

To participate in the program, either pack extra yard trimmings in old garbage cans labelled with a Yard Trimmings Sticker (PDF), in paper bags or in bundles tied with twine and place at the curb on your regular collection day. Free Yard Trimmings stickers can be picked up on the main floor of City Hall at the Engineering Customer Service counter or at the City Centre and Poirier Public libraries.

Tips for a smooth yard trimmings collection:

• Do not set out yard waste materials before your first collection day on the week of October 19, as wet bags and containers are difficult to collect.
• Have extra yard trimmings set out by 7:30 a.m. on collection day. A separate truck will collect the extra yard waste, so it may be picked up at a different time than your Green Cart.
• While bundles, cans and paper bags of yard trimmings can be placed out early, City-issued Green Carts must only be set out after 5:30 a.m. on collection day to avoid fines, even if they contain only yard trimmings.
• Keep branches in tied bundles no longer than 1 metre (3 feet) in length and less than 7.5 centimetres (3 inches) in diameter.
• Each bag, can or bundle must weigh less than 20 kilograms (44 pounds).
• Items like sod, rocks, soil and plastic bags are not accepted.
• Food scraps must only be put in regular Green Cart – keep them out of paper bags or other containers used for extra yard trimmings. 
• Ensure materials are placed curbside without blocking the sidewalk or street. If rain is expected, cover paper bags with a tarp to protect them from getting soggy and delay placing them out until the morning of collection.

For more information and full program details, visit coquitlam.ca/YardTrimmings.

United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre

Coquitlam residents can drop off green waste for free year-round at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre, 995 United Boulevard. Accepted materials include yard trimmings such as grass clippings, leaves, plants, plant cuttings, tree and hedge prunings, tree branches and food waste. Proof of residency is required, and annual limits apply. For more information, visit coquitlam.ca/YardTrimmings.

Get Collection Reminders by Email, Phone or App

For reminders on your waste collection schedule – including changes for statutory holidays, collection disruptions due to weather and seasonal yard trimmings collection – visit coquitlam.ca/ReCollect to set up email or phone alerts. Or use your smartphone to download the collection reminder app for free; visit the app store and search for Coquitlam Curbside Collection.

Media contact:
Nichelle Cameron
Manager, Solid Waste & Special Projects
604-927-4300
WasteReduction@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.