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Garbage Cart Tips
A Metro Vancouver waste audit shows that it is possible to divert 75% or more of our household waste away from the landfill. The current diversion rate is 62%.
Five things you can do to send less to the landfill:
- Recycle better: Click here to make sure everyone in your family is recycling everything they can, and in the proper way.
- Put it in the pail: Have a lidded pail handy in your kitchen to collect food scraps, leftovers and food-soiled papers for your green/kitchen waste cart. Coupons for a free Kitchen Composter Starter Kit with a lidded pail were distributed with the 2010 Waste Collection Schedule and Calendar of Community Events on December 13, 2009 (kits are $5 without coupon). Click here to learn more about the Kitchen Waste Collection Program.
- Bring ’em back: Bring all beverage containers (including tetra-paks and milk cartons/jugs), as well as soup/sauce tetra-paks, back to the bottle depot.
- Be bear smart: Click here to keep your neighbourhood safe from bears.
- Consider a composter: It’s most efficient to address waste as close to the source as possible. Click here for information about backyard composters. Composters are available at a subsidized cost from the City.
Garbage disposal tips:
Here are some tips to assist with alternate-week garbage collection:
Disposable diapers:
- Bag diapers separately
- Use heavier gauge bags, preferably biodegradable
- Tightly secure bag
- Sprinkle baking soda on soiled diaper and in bag before you tie it shut
- Keep lid to waste cart closed at all times
- Rinse raw meat and fish residue or blood off of styrofoam trays or plastic bags before disposing of them.
- Sprinkle baking soda over smelly items before bagging them.
- Whenever possible, choose products with less packaging, or with packaging that can be recycled. Buy in bulk when you can.
- Whenever possible, buy and use refillable or reusable containers.
- Try to donate or sell unwanted items rather than throwing them away. Even items that might need repair may be desired by others (e.g. for parts).
- Make sure all messy or smelly waste is securely bagged before putting it in your cart.
- Regularly rinse out your cart with your hose or a vinegar/water solution to control odours.
Other Resources:
- Click here to download a handy waste-sorting guide and green/kitchen waste cart tips. (PDF)
- Click here to learn about other waste disposal alternatives.
- Click here to read some trouble-shooting tips for your green waste cart.
