Zero Waste Challenge
The Zero Waste Challenge is a program developed by Metro Vancouver that focuses on minimizing waste generation and maximizing the reuse and recycling of materials. Reducing garbage in landfills is critical for the future of our natural environment.
Did you know?*
- Each household in Metro Vancouver produces about 860 kilograms of garbage per year.
- Residents and businesses in Metro Vancouver generate 3.6 million tones of garbage per year.
- 1.5 million tons of garbage is disposed of at the Cache Creek and Vancouver Landfills or used as fuel at the Metro Vancouver Waste to Energy Facility in Burnaby.
Your waste diversion efforts do make a difference!
Today approximately 55% of waste we create is kept out of the garbage. Help us reach the region’s waste diversion goal of 70% by 2015:
- Reduce your garbage by shopping differently and using reusable bags.
- Reuse items more than once or give it to someone who can still make use of it.
- Recycle used items so that the material can be used to make new products.
Not sure where to recycle items not collected by the City?
Check out the new tool Metro Vancouver Recycles to find the nearest locations to recycle many of your items.
Materials banned from the landfill
Metro Vancouver imposes fines on cities where they find recyclable items in the garbage collected. It is very important, both for our environment and to avoid financial penalties, to recycle properly. Visit our Curbside Collection Calendar for a full list of banned materials.
* Facts provided by Metro Vancouver. For more information, please visit www.metrovancouver.org.