COQUITLAM, B.C., June 22, 2026 – Coquitlam’s 2026/2027 curbside collection calendars are in the mail to single-family residences. The calendars include important information on garbage and green waste pickup schedules, and details on additional waste management programs. 

The new calendar covers an 18-month period, from July 2026 to December 2027. While the calendar period has been extended, there are no changes to collection days or pickup schedules from the previous service period.

Waste Reduction Programs

Only properties that pay a Garbage Fee on their Annual Utility Bill receive City waste collection services. In addition to collection of Garbage Carts for waste that cannot be composted or recycled, and Green Carts for food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard trimmings, this fee covers the following programs and services:

• Large Item Pickup: Residents can have up to four large household items collected each year.
• Extra Yard Trimmings collection: Six weeks of unlimited yard trimmings collection (grass clippings, pruned branches, leaves, etc.) each spring and fall.
• Free, year-round, drop-off of green waste at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre, 995 United Boulevard (proof of residency required).
• Cart repairs and exchanges: Request cart repair or exchanges online (exchange fees may apply).
• Other Coquitlam waste-reduction initiatives include the City-Wide Garage Sale and Giveaway Event (twice a year) Repair Cafés and backyard composter program. 
• Curbside Recycling for paper, cardboard, plastic, metal and glass is provided at no cost by Recycle BC.

New Notification Service to Reduce Green Cart Contamination

Coquitlam has been using an automated, separated curbside collection program since 2014, with two different waste streams collected by the City at the curb – compostable green waste and garbage, which is waste that cannot be composted or recycled.  

Contamination occurs when items are disposed in the wrong cart. This causes problems at the organic processing facility or the landfill. Incorrect items can damage waste-processing equipment, increase fire and explosion risks, lower compost quality and raise disposal costs to the City. 

While waste-collection trucks are already equipped with cameras that allow drivers to manually identify contamination and tag carts to educate residents about proper waste sorting, the City will now use the vehicle's on-board technology to automatically detect and report contaminants. This technology improves efficiency and minimizes human error. Residents will be notified about contamination via mailed postcards and letters.

The City’s waste-reduction programs and this new initiative support Coquitlam’s Environmental Sustainability Plan’s waste management goals to minimize waste generation and maximize reuse, recycling and material recovery.

Download the Curbside Collection App

Already in use by almost 75% of households who receive curbside collection, the free Coquitlam Curbside Collection app (available on Android and Apple) provides residents with personalized collection schedules, collection day and seasonal program reminders and important service updates or disruption notices. Residents who have not yet downloaded the app are encouraged to do so—details available at coquitlam.ca/recollect. 

Residents can also book a large-item pickup, request a cart repair or exchange, report missed collection(s), use the Waste Wizard search tool to find out where and how to dispose of waste properly, and find more information about all other waste reduction programs via the app.

Solid Waste Facts and Figures

• In 2025, 95% of Green Carts collected were free of contamination. However, 1,722 properties disposed of black bags of garbage in their Green Cart at least once.
• More than 25,500 residential properties receive bi-weekly garbage and weekly green waste collection from the City.
• Last year, approximately 50% of the 8,400 items collected through the Large Item Pick Up program were recycled.
• In 2025, almost 69% of household waste was diverted from the landfill through recycling and green waste programs.
• 86% of residents reported strong satisfaction with the City's recycling and garbage services according to the 2025 Community Satisfaction Survey.

Media contacts:

Nichelle Cameron
Solid Waste and Special Projects Manager

Julie Kanya
Manager Environment, Education and Enforcement

604-927-3500
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.