COQUITLAM, B.C., October 18, 2023 – Coquitlam residents can once again set out additional yard waste for free curbside pickup on their regular collection day between October 23 to November 30.
Unlimited extra yard trimmings pickup is offered to households that receive Garbage and Green Cart collection from the City for six weeks each spring and fall. Collecting over 400 tonnes of additional material each year, the Seasonal Unlimited Yard Trimmings program helps residents manage the extra yard waste generated seasonally from seasonal cleanups, falling leaves and garden winterizing. Information is posted at coquitlam.ca/YardTrimmings.
A reminder that the dates will no longer be printed in the Collection Calendar. As weather patterns continue to change, Seasonal Unlimited Yard Trimmings collection periods will be announced closer to collection dates to more closely align with environmental considerations. Dates and information are posted at coquitlam.ca/YardTrimmings and on the free Coquitlam Curbside Collection app.
Preparing Yard Trimmings for Pickup
Residents should continue to use Green Carts for yard trimmings and food scraps as usual from October 23 to November 30 and use the following options for extra yard trimmings only:
- Old garbage cans labelled with Yard Trimmings stickers, available for free pickup from the Engineering counter at Coquitlam City Hall, the Town Centre Recycling Depot or the City Centre and Poirier Public libraries;
- Kraft paper bags (please cover if it’s raining); or
- Tied bundles – branches must be less than 7.5 centimeter (3 inches) in diameter and 1 meter (3 feet) in length.
Place extra yard trimmings out beside your Green Cart on your regular collection day. The material will be picked up by a different truck, separate from your Green Cart, and collection may happen at different times of the day. If your extra yard trimmings material is not collected by 7:30 p.m. on your collection day, please leave it at the curb (Green Carts cannot be left at the curb overnight) and report it to Coquitlam’s collection contractor, Waste Connections of Canada, by phone at 604-636-3520 or by email at CityOfCoquitlam@wasteconnections.com.
Know the Rules
- Sod, rocks, soil and plastic bags are not accepted.
- Reduce wildlife attractants and only place food scraps in the City-issued Green Carts – do not place food in kraft bags or Yard Trimmings cans.
- City-issued carts cannot be set out before 5:30 a.m. on collection days, even if the Green Cart contains only yard trimmings (fines may apply, per Solid Waste Bylaw No. 4679).
- Each bag, can or bundle of extra yard trimmings must weigh less than 20 kilograms (44 pounds).
- Yard trimmings should not block sidewalks, laneways or streets.
- If it’s raining, please cover kraft paper bags with a tarp to prevent the bag from tearing during collection.
Get Collection Reminders by Email, Phone or App
Join over 18,000 households in Coquitlam and get a personalized collection calendar, collection day reminders and important service disruption notifications. Download the free Coquitlam Curbside Collection app or sign up for phone call or email reminders online at coquitlam.ca/ReCollect.
Free Year-Round Yard Trimmings Drop-Off
Coquitlam residents can drop off residential yard trimmings and food waste for free at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre (995 United Boulevard) year-round. Accepted materials include grass clippings, leaves, plants and plant cuttings, tree and hedge prunings, tree branches and food waste. Please note, program restrictions apply. For information about this program, please visit coquitlam.ca/YardTrimmings.
Media contact:
Shannon Hadley
Solid Waste and Special Projects Manager
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.