COQUITLAM, B.C., Oct. 4, 2022 – October is Circular Economy Month and Coquitlam is encouraging residents and local business owners to learn about the many benefits of the circular economy and how to use City tools and resources to get involved.
Follow @CityofCoquitlam on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to receive helpful tips and resources, and learn more about what the City does and how you can help support our circular economy.
For 20 years, Waste Reduction Week has taken place for one week in October and was focused primarily on recycling and reducing waste. This year the Circular Innovation Council has expanded the initiative into Circular Economy Month to educate citizens about the opportunities beyond our take – make – waste economy.
What is the Circular Economy?
In our current economy, we take materials from the Earth and create products from them and throw them away as trash when we are finished – the process is linear.
In the circular economy, we aim to design products with their end of life in mind, recovering and reusing material to prevent waste in the first place.
The responsibility falls to manufacturers to make longer lasting and more efficient products that are designed with repair and reuse as primary considerations, and consumers’ responsibility is to consider purchasing smartly designed products meant to be reused, refurbished, and dismantled. Residents can support companies that offer take-back of products after use, as well as participate in City programs that contribute to recovery or the reuse of materials.
City Tools Support Circular Economy
The City of Coquitlam offers a number of programs and tools to help local residents and businesses reduce their waste, as well as water and energy consumption.
Waste Wizard – online search tool to find out how to properly dispose of any item (www.coquitlam.ca/wastewizard)
Large Item Pick Up – residents who receive City curbside collection can have up to four large items collected free of charge per year (www.coquitlam.ca/lipu)
Composting – turn yard trimmings and food scraps into rich soil for your garden; the City offers composting tips and backyard composters at a subsidized price of $28 (www.coquitlam.ca/wastereduction)
Recycling – in addition to the curbside recycling offered by Recycle BC, the City has a recycling depot available to Coquitlam residents free of charge in Town Centre Park and residents can also use the United Boulevard Recycling & Waste Centre (www.coquitlam.ca/recycling).
Curbside Collection app – residents who receive City waste collection, can download the free Coquitlam Curbside Collection app to receive helpful waste reduction tips, waste sorting information and reminders for collection days, and special programs such as the free Seasonal Unlimited Yard Trimmings collection (www.coquitlam.ca/recollect)
Toilet Rebate program – purchase a water-efficient toilet to receive Utility Tax credit of up to $100 per toilet (maximum two per address) (www.coquitlam.ca/toiletrebate)
Water Wise Tools – Coquitlam residents can purchase water wise tools, such as rain barrels and electronic water timers, at a reduced cost from the City (www.coquitlam.ca/waterwise)
Heat Pump Rebate Program – switch from your existing furnace to a more energy-efficient, climate-friendly heat pump system and receive up to $500 in rebates (www.coquitlam.ca/energyupgrades)
We’re Already Seeing Results
Coquitlam also has among Metro Vancouver’s highest diversion rate at 71 per cent, which is important because it shows that our community is keeping recyclable material out of the landfill.
Some other waste-diversion successes in Coquitlam:
- In 2021, residents kept over 22,500 tonnes of yard trimmings and food waste out of the landfill.
- The waste from Green Cart collection is made into compost and the City makes around 1,000 bags available to residents each year through its free compost giveaway event.
- Since its start in 2014, the City-Wide Garage Sale has had thousands of participants and prevented tonnes of useful items from going to waste.
- Over 65 tonnes of mattresses and boxsprings have been recycled through the Large Item Pick up Program.
- Between 100 and 150 residents bring recyclables to the Town Centre Recycling Depot each day.
Not Sure Where Something Goes?
To find out how to properly dispose of items, use the Waste Wizard at www.coquitlam.ca/wastewizard or contact wastereduction@coquitlam.ca or 604-927-3500. Waste sorting and collection information is also available at www.coquitlam.ca/trashtalk.
Media contact:
Caresse Selk
Manager Environment
epw@coquitlam.ca
604-927-3500