COQUITLAM, B.C., April 5, 2023 – Coquitlam residents are invited to the City’s annual compost giveaway event on Earth Day (April 22), this year at Town Centre Park.
The change to Town Centre Park will allow for a bigger event including compost workshops, children’s activities and environmental displays.
Running rain or shine from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Parking Lot C, the free community event is a chance to celebrate Earth Day while learning about composting and other ways to help the environment. Participants can enjoy some family fun while picking up one, free 32-litre bag of compost for the garden.
How to Get your Compost
Everyone is welcome to the event; however, compost will be available for Coquitlam residents only and ID is required. Each household may take home one bag.
- Park in Town Centre Park, Parking Lot C – only those that want and are eligible for compost should drive into or park here - there is other parking available at Town Centre Park.
- Stop at the Info Booth to get a compost stamp card.
- Visit City staff at a City environmental tent and show identification with Coquitlam address to receive a stamp, validating it for one free bag of compost.
- Bring the validated stamp card to the drive-through compost pick-up location on the way out.
What’s Planned for April 22
In addition to the compost giveaway, the event will offer plenty to do and learn, including:
- One-hour compost workshops at the nearby Inspiration Garden at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Earth Day-themed children’s activities
- Information booths on environmental topics such as co-existing with wildlife, water conservation and the City’s Tree Spree and Bad Seed invasive plant programs
- Representatives from stewardship groups such as Burke Mountain Naturalists, Hoy-Scott Watershed Society, Maple Creek Stream Keepers and Riverview Horticultural Centre Society
For more information, visit www.coquitlam.ca/CompostEarthDay.
Composting Helps Reduce Waste
Coquitlam promotes composting as part of its waste-reduction efforts, outlined in the Environmental Sustainability Plan.
Once again, the compost being handed out this year was created with material that comes from residents’ Green Carts. It’s a great example of waste diversion – keeping organic material out of the landfill by transforming it into a usable product: nutrient-rich soil. Using compost also reduces the need for watering because it helps retain moisture.
Because Green Cart materials eventually end up in a garden as compost, it’s important to separate waste correctly and only put organics in the Green Cart. Contaminants like plastic bags – even ones labelled compostable or biodegradable – interfere with the composting process and bring micro-plastics into your yard.
Go to www.coquitlam.ca/GreenCarts or the Coquitlam Curbside Collection app (free on Google Play or the App Store) for a handy Waste Wizard search engine and tips on separating waste correctly.
Get a Discounted Composter from the City
To encourage composting at home, the City subsidizes the cost of backyard composters. Coquitlam residents may purchase discounted composters at City Hall for $28 including tax by calling 604-927-4306 or emailing environmentaleducation@coquitlam.ca.
For information and instructions about backyard composting visit www.coquitlam.ca/compost.
Media Contact:
Caresse Selk
Manager, Environment
604-927-3500
epw@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.