Coquitlam has introduced a new fleet of environmentally-friendly garbage collection trucks, decalled with reminders on responsible waste handling.
COQUITLAM, B.C., November 21, 2024 – Coquitlam has introduced a new fleet of environmentally-friendly garbage collection trucks, decalled with reminders on responsible waste handling.
The fleet upgrade follows Coquitlam’s recent seven-year contract with Waste Connections Canada, which took effect July 1, 2024. Under this agreement, residents receive bi-weekly garbage and weekly organics collection, unlimited yard trimmings collection twice per year, access to a Large Item Pickup program, and enhanced garbage, organics, and recycling collection for civic facilities.
A Clean Fleet for a Green Future
The new trucks, powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional fuel options, significantly reducing the City’s carbon footprint. As Coquitlam continues to prioritize sustainability, this fleet marks a critical investment in environmental stewardship and efficient waste management practices.
Fleet Reminders Help Reduce Waste
The new truck decals serve as friendly reminders for residents about effective waste management practices, helping Coquitlam reduce landfill waste and improve recycling:
- Secure Your Waste – Store waste bins in a shed or garage to keep waste secure from wildlife.
- Separate Your Waste – Keep recyclables and green waste out of garbage bins to reduce landfill use.
- Reduce Your Waste – Reuse, repair, and recycle items to minimize waste and support Coquitlam’s green goals.
Help Keep Wildlife Safe
Coquitlam is home to urban wildlife such as bears and coyotes, and it’s essential to handle waste responsibly in order to keep them safe. To reduce human-wildlife conflicts:
- Store Garbage Carts, Green Carts and recycling bins in an area inaccessible to wildlife.
- Freeze meat and strong smelling food scraps, and transfer to the Green Cart on collection day.
- Put all food waste in the Green Cart and not the Garbage Cart.
- Place Carts and recycling at the curbside after 5:30 a.m. on collection day.
- Keep your Green Cart and Garbage Cart clean between collection days.
These steps reduce wildlife attractants, keep neighborhoods safe, and ensure our shared spaces are safe for all.
Waste Management in Coquitlam
With over 25,500 residential properties receiving garbage and green waste collection services, Coquitlam residents play a significant role in the City's sustainability efforts:
- In 2023, approximately 70% of household waste was diverted from the landfill.
- Last year, nearly half of the 8,400 items collected in the Large Item Pickup program were successfully recycled.
- According to the 2023 Community Satisfaction Survey, 87% of residents reported high satisfaction with the City's waste management services.
Curbside Collection Reminders
Separate Your Waste – Garbage Carts are for non-compostable, non-recyclable items. Green Carts are for food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings. Recycling is for packaging and paper products.
- No Plastic in Green Cart – Exclude all plastics, even compostable or biodegradable bags.
- Space Your Carts – Place carts with wheels against the curb and 1 metre apart, 1.5 metres from vehicles, and with 3 metres clear overhead.
- Ensure Lids Close – Overfilled carts may not be collected.
- Unclip the Green Cart Lid – Secure clips together or to the lid handles to prevent damage during collection.
Coquitlam Waste Management Tools and Programs
Coquitlam offers several waste management programs and tools to help residents reduce waste and support a sustainable community:
- Cart repairs and exchanges – Report damaged carts or request a different size cart online (fees may apply).
- Backyard composting – Convert yard trimmings and food scraps into garden compost. The City offers subsidized backyard composters for $28.
- Curbside Collection app – Join 75 percent of Coquitlam residents and get collection day reminders, sorting info, and instant notifications about service changes with this free app.
- Recycling at Civic Facilities and Events – Ensures users can separate their waste just like at home.
- Extra Yard Trimmings Collection – Offered for six weeks each spring and fall, this unlimited curbside collection helps residents dispose of yard waste during peak seasons.
- Free Green Waste Drop-Off – Residents can drop off green waste year-round at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre (proof of residency required).
- Large Item Pickup – Dispose of up to four bulky household items every 12 months (July 1 to June 30) through scheduled pickups, available by request.
- City-Wide Garage Sale and Giveaway – A semi annual event that supports reuse by listing participating addresses for residents to give or sell items.
- Repair Café – Bring broken items to these events for free repair by skilled volunteers, helping extend the life of household goods.
- Recycling Depots – In addition to curbside service, recyclable items can be dropped off at various depots city-wide and at the full-service United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre.
- Waste Wizard – Search this online tool to find the proper disposal methods for any item, whether it’s recycling, composting, or donation.
By participating in these programs and keeping waste secured, Coquitlam residents help keep our natural spaces safe for all, including local wildlife. These collective efforts reflect Coquitlam’s dedication to maintaining a clean, healthy, and sustainable community that benefits both people and the surrounding environment.
Media contact:
Brad Lofgren
Director of Public Works
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.