In West Vancouver, garbage and recycling are collected on a weekly basis. Green Cans (food waste and yard trimmings) are also collected on a weekly basis.
The West Vancouver District’s garbage and recycling program is based on the principle that it saves money by reducing the disposal cost of refuse. That cost is based on the fact that the general garbage is disposed of at a regional landfill at a tipping fee of $65 per ton.
Garbage Collection
West Vancouver residents will have to hold on to their garbage a bit longer, as the District announced April 22 that it would be changing the collection frequency from weekly to every other week. The change is aimed at saving money, reducing pollution and promoting recycling and composting.
The District also engaged a company called Growing City to upgrade existing streetside recycling bins in a few selected locations. The program is designed to be the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective way for the District to collect recycling from the sidewalks of downtown West Vancouver, while also reducing landfill volume and greenhouse gas emissions.
First and foremost, the District has replaced old metal or concrete garbage bins with new three-stream carts containing two compartments: one for garbage and another for recycling. This new three-stream system allows for much more efficient separation of recyclables from regular household waste.
As with any new system, it’s important to learn how to use the new bins correctly. For example, the garbage lids should not be placed on top of the garbage or recycling cans.
This is because the lids may not stay securely on the bins and will be easily knocked over, creating a hazard for pedestrians. Be sure to check out the District’s website for tips on how to keep your bins free of debris, as well as what to do in the event that the lid falls off your trash can.
The District also has a smart phone app that lets you track your garbage and recycle schedules, receive reminders by email or text message and even import your schedule into your online calendar. The app is available for iPhone and Android phones.
Recycling Collection
If you have an iPhone or Android phone, download the CityCollect App (Google Play | Apple Store) and never miss a collection day again. Sign up for reminders, view your schedule, receive tips and much more! Or use the address search tool to find out when your garbage, recycling and green cans are collected.
The District is changing the frequency of garbage pickup in West Vancouver from weekly to every other week starting on Earth Day, April 22. The change is meant to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills and also help with environmental efforts, including less greenhouse gas emissions from garbage trucks.
During the garbage change, District staff will no longer service some of the garbage cans in West Vancouver’s streetscapes, such as those at transit stops and other locations that are not frequented by residents. This will free up Parks Department staff to service more regularly visited parks and other locations in the District.
Some of these garbage cans will be replaced by three-stream bins, which are designed to separate waste items into different containers for disposal or recycling. These new bins are being deployed at various locations in the streetscape, beginning March 2019.
Growing City, a District contractor with extensive experience in collecting waste from commercial and public areas, will be responsible for collecting materials from these new bins. They will use a three-stream truck with dividers that keep the materials separated.
For your convenience, the District also provides a map showing the locations of all garbage cans and recycling stations in West Vancouver. These maps can be downloaded to your mobile device for on-the-go access.
As the City continues to expand its recycling programs, it is important to ensure that items are properly sorted. This is a key challenge in outdoor public places such as streets and parks.
To avoid contamination, put recyclables in your yellow and blue recycling bags or boxes. Paper products should go in the yellow bag and mixed containers such as bottles, jars and cans should be placed in your blue box.
Green Can Collection
The city has a Green Can program that includes curbside collection of food scraps, paper and yard trimmings. Residents can use a single 77-litre can or multi-family Green Bin to dispose of these items and avoid methane gas emissions from landfills.
You can also put food scraps and paper in a reusable container, such as a plastic shopping bag, for pickup. Check out the City’s Curbside Collection Guide for tips on how to prepare your food waste for pickup.
To get rid of large amounts of yard trimmings, bundle them with biodegradable string or twine (no wire, nylon rope, plastic strapping). Bundles must be no wider than one foot in diameter and a maximum of six containers, bags or bundles are collected each week.
Trees and twigs must be cut to no longer than three-foot lengths. Leaves can be placed in your Green Bin or in paper yard waste bags for pickup on designated weekends.
During the winter, organic and yard waste are only picked up once every two weeks instead of weekly. This is to help reduce the amount of time spent by crews in the snowy months.
This schedule is subject to change, so it’s important to check the web site or the City app for up-to-date information on your garbage and recycling collection day. You can also set up service alerts by email, text message, or phone call to stay on top of your garbage and green waste collection schedule.
For the best possible service, your garbage cart and green cart must be at the curb by 7:30 am on collection day or it may not be collected. If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Service department.
There is a weekly limit of six Green Cans, bags or bundles per home, with a maximum weight of 20kg (45lb) each. Ensure your cans are securely closed (no clips, bungee cords, or plastic strapping), don’t overfill them and don’t place them outside when it’s raining.
When it comes to recycling, most items can be recycled at your local drop-off. However, certain items may not be accepted such as paints, motor oil, antifreeze and solvents, batteries and light bulbs.
Food Waste Collection
RESIDENTS who opt in to West Vancouver’s new food waste collection program will receive a set of green bins for storing chicken bones, bacon rinds, eggshells and other kitchen scraps. It will divert the waste from incinerators and landfills, which helps lower costs for the district.
The program is funded through the Solid Waste Utility, not through general taxation, and will not increase fees. The municipality says diverting garbage through recycling or composting saves expensive disposal capacity, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and avoids long-term fee increases for ratepayers.
West Vancouver residents can add up to six food waste containers, bags or bundles each week, a maximum of 20kg per container or bag. Yard trimmings (but not food scraps) are also accepted, and can be placed in kraft paper bags with folded tops or tied with biodegradable string or twine.
Be sure to set out your garbage and yard trimmings carts by 6:30 a.m. on the morning of your scheduled collection day, and to place them side-by-side so that it’s easy for crews to collect them.
Use a 77L can, secure the lid and don’t overfill it – a maximum of 20kg of food scraps or yard trimmings can be deposited in a single can. Be sure to close the lid fully and do not allow it to open if you aren’t home on your collection day.
A gloppy pile of gray sludge that looks a lot like an Oreo is created each week by a contractor trucking firm that picks up organic material from businesses and schools around the region. It’s a mix of food waste and yard debris that is sent to Dirt Hugger, a composting business in Dallesport about 90 miles east of Vancouver.
Besides diverting food waste from incinerators, composting is an ecofriendly alternative to dumping it into landfills, said Travis Dutton, solid waste program manager with Clark County Public Health. Dutton says the resulting compost has more nutrients than the trash it replaces and can be used to fertilize gardens.
Starting in September, Waste Connections will add food scraps to every-other-week organics carts for single-family residential customers in Vancouver. They will receive a pail for each month of service and a printed Organics Guide to show them how to use the pail and add their food scraps to their teal-colored yard-debris cart. The expanded program will help reduce food waste by 50 percent before 2030, based on 2015 levels, according to a press release from the company.
Among many other things, David A. Grantham is a contributing author to UmassExtension West Vancouver Blo. He is a renowned expert on real estate in BC.
Born in North Vancouver, Louisiana, Dr. Grantham grew up in Lower Lonsdale. He then went on to complete his business degree at the University British Columbia. As of this writing, Grantham has completed over 100 projects, including the development of a high rise building in Vancouver.
He is a husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was a dedicated outdoorsman and enjoyed sports such as hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and snow skiing. His wife, Alison Grantham, and their two daughters survived him. He is survived by his wife Alison Martin Grantham and two daughters.