Vancouverites might notice their green bins seem a little bit fuller in 2024.
Heading into the new year, the city has updated its garbage collection schedule, which includes fewer green bin collection days. It will only collect them every two weeks instead of each week.
Starting the week of Jan. 8, residential green bin collection will take place every two weeks and will line up with the day that your regular garbage is picked up.
The city says it reduced green bin collection frequency because volumes are lower in the winter due to fewer yard trimmings; the colder temperatures also decrease odours.
Weekly green bin collection will resume on March 4.
Vancouver garbage schedule
Enter your address into the collection schedule page to find out your home pick-up schedule.
To print a copy, choose "Get a calendar" and then click "Print a calendar." There are also PDF collection calendars available for single-family homes and duplexes, as well as multi-unit homes.
Can I pick up a physical copy of the Vancouver garbage collection schedule?
You can pick up a collection calendar at these locations in Vancouver:
- City Hall
- Main floor rotunda, 453 W 12th Ave
- 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday (except holidays)
- Engineering Services
- 5th floor, 507 W Broadway
- 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (except holidays)
What can I put in the green bin instead of being recycled or thrown out?
You can't throw food scraps in the garbage anywhere in Metro Vancouver. All food scraps, including raw and cooked food, plate scrapings, leftovers, expired food, meat, bones, and dairy products, must go in your green waste bin.
The city notes that recycling food scraps reduces garbage and greenhouse gases and also creates compost for local agriculture.
If you aren't in an area with green bin collection, start a compost on-site or ask your current garbage hauler if they collect food scraps or yard trimmings. You can also find a food scraps hauler.
Green bins contain food scraps but you can also put food-soiled paper, such as pizza boxes with food residue and empty cereal boxes used for food scraps, in them. Find out everything that goes into a green bin, including what not to put in there.
What should I do if I think the city did not pick up my garbage?
The city may leave a tag on your bins explaining why they weren't picked up. If there wasn't one, ensure you are leaving your bins out before 7 a.m. on your collection day.
Keep in mind that it may take long for collection crews to reach your address. In some areas, they work until 8 p.m. Also, statutory holidays affected the collection schedule.
To stay on top of collection service updates, download the city's VanCollect app. You can also sign up for reminders by email, text message, voicemail, or tweet.
Other reasons why items may be missed include:
- Unusual weather
- Construction or other traffic delays
- Unexpected equipment breakdowns
- Vegetation encroachments or parked vehicles near bins
- Unacceptable items or decal on bins
If none of the reasons apply, you can report that the city missed your pick-up online.
