Port Coquitlam residents checking their mailboxes this week will find a colourful new waste-sorting guide along with information about collection zone changes coming in 2018.

The city’s 2018 Sort it Right! flipguide to waste sorting and services features colour-coded tabs to easily locate information, including:

• Carts and collection details
• Bears and wildlife
• What can and can’t go in blue, green and garbage carts
• What goes to recycling depots and other take-back programs
• Zone map and collection schedule
• Resources to help residents sort their waste

The Zone Map and Collection Schedule page highlights changes coming on Jan. 1, 2018 to Zones 4 and 5, on the west side of the city. Following a comprehensive review of the collection zones, a section of Zone 5 will be added to Zone 4 in 2018 in order to improve efficiency.

This will mean a different collection day in 2018 for approximately 1,373 homes located south of Kelly Avenue and west of Shaughnessy Street, as well as the area south of Pitt River Road and west of Mary Hill Road. The city recently mailed information directly to all affected homes.

The annual Sort it Right! flipguide is part of Port Coquitlam’s ongoing efforts to educate residents about proper waste disposal. While most residents sort their waste correctly, some are still putting the wrong items in their carts. Ongoing contamination will lead to steep fines and fee increases that will be passed on to taxpayers.

To help spread the word, the City has hired two Ambassadors to work with the community on waste, bears and water-use issues until the end of 2018.

The Ambassadors are engaging with residents at city events (including Christmas in Leigh Square on Nov. 25) and through pop-up displays, block parties, neighbourhood canvassing and presentations. At www.portcoquitlam.ca/ambassadors, residents can ask a question, request resources or a presentation for a group or school, or follow the Ambassadors on the city’s social media channels.

Other sources of waste-sorting information include the city’s 2018 Community Calendar, to be mailed out to all homes in early December, and www.portcoquitlam.ca/sortitright.

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CONTACT:
Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
T:  604-927-5335
E: purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca