Port Coquitlam provides biweekly collection of garbage carts (grey cart). Everything placed in this cart goes to the landfill.
We encourage households to make use of their green cart, blue cart, recycling depots and waste disposal alternatives to reduce what is sent to the landfill and to avoid higher disposal fees.
Port Coquitlam residents currently divert about 66% of their waste from the landfill. If we sort our waste properly, about 75% of what is typically thrown away can go into the green and blue carts, to a recycling depot or to a take-back program.
Sort It Right Guide
Check out our user-friendly guide with detailed collection and sorting information, including the collection schedule.
Sort It Right Search Tool
Not sure how to properly dispose of an item? Try out the Sort It Right! Search Tool to look up any item and find out where it goes.
What Goes In The Grey Cart?
Check out the graphic below to find out what belongs in your grey cart and what doesn't.
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Send less to the landfill
- Recycle better: 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.
- 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: Keep your neighbourhood safe from bears.
- Consider a composter: It’s most efficient to address waste as close to the source as possible.
Sort It Right Resources & Tips
Garbage Disposal Tips
- Bag disposable diapers separately and use heavier gauge bags, preferably biodegradable ones. Sprinkle baking soda on soiled diaper and in bag before you tie it shut.
- Rinse residue off 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.
- All garbage must fit into the carts provided and the lids must close completely; no extra material will be collected.