Garbage
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect our waste collection crew, all garbage must be placed in plastic bags and tied securely before putting in your garbage bin. Do NOT place loose waste in the garbage bin. Un-bagged or loose items will not be collected. Thank you for your cooperation.
Containers & Collection
The City collects garbage curbside every other week from single family properties, eligible townhouses and apartment complexes of 6 units or less.
- The City does not supply garbage containers. Standard size garbage containers are available for purchase at several retail locations.
- Each garbage container shall not exceed four cubic feet or 110 litres in size (one standard garbage can or standard size plastic garbage bag).
- Each garbage container, including contents, should not weigh more than 50 pounds.
- Each property can put out up to two containers of garbage (cans, bags or combination) every other week for curbside collection.
Missed Collection
- Confirm it was your collection day by checking the schedule
- Is there a contamination notice/sticker advising containers are:
- Too heavy or too large (Up to 110L in size and 50 pounds in weight)
- Exceeds the limit
- Not properly presented
- Recyclable items in garbage
- Were containers placed curbside by 8 a.m.
- Were containers visible to collection crews
If none of the above apply, and materials were not collected by 4:30 p.m, please contact the Engineering and Municipal Operations Department at 604-541-2181 between the business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please note: calls made outside of normal business hours are forwarded to the After Hours Emergency Dispatch.
The City has established a Solid Waste Bylaw (PDF) to provide for the collection, removal, disposal of recycling and solid waste to guide garbage and disposal practices and management.
Extra Household Garbage Stickers
If you have extra household garbage that will not fit within your curbside two can collection limit, place your excess garbage in a garbage bag and purchase an "extra garbage sticker" for the bag.
Extra garbage stickers are available for purchase with the online form or at these City Facilities for $5 each.
What Bags to Use & How to Set Them Out
- Use standard garbage bags (up to 66 centimetres by 91 centimetres)
- Fill the garbage bags (up to 50 pounds)
- Put a sticker on each bag
- Set out the bags next to your regular garbage cans on collection day
Without the excess garbage sticker, the collection crew will not pick up the extra bag.
Banned Materials
At Metro Vancouver disposal facilities, where the City's garbage is taken for disposal, loads are inspected for banned materials that shouldn't be in the garbage, such as recyclable materials, product stewardship materials, or hazardous materials that pose a risk to waste collection workers, the public or the environment.
Should any of these items be disposed of in your garbage, recycling or green waste, you will receive a contamination notice and your container will not be emptied. If you get a notice, please remove the banned material. At disposal sites, loads that contain banned materials will be assessed a surcharge, plus the potential cost of removal, clean up or remediation.
These materials are banned from regular garbage disposal in Metro Vancouver to encourage and increase recycling:
- Beverage containers
- Clean wood Clean wood disposal
- Containers made of glass, metal, or recyclable plastic
- Corrugated cardboard
- Food waste Food scraps recycling
- Green waste
- Recyclable paper
To find out where to recycle these items, use Put Waste In Its Place.
New July 2018
Expanded polystyrene packaging (commonly referred to as styrofoam). Surcharges will apply at Metro Vancouver regional facilities for loads with over 20% expanded polystyrene packaging. For more information on recycling styrofoam visit Metro Vancouver (PDF).
These materials are hazardous to the environment or workers, or have high operational impacts. There are safe disposal options.
- Agriculture waste
- Asbestos
- Automobile bodies and parts
- Barrels or drums in excess of 205 litres
- Biomedical waste
- Coated or uncoated wire and cable exceeding 1% of the total load
- Dead animals
- Excrement, other than small amounts of pet excrement that are double bagged and do not exceed 5% of the total waste
- Gypsum Drywall
- Hazardous Waste
- Inert fill including soil, sod, gravel, concrete and asphalt
- Liquids and sludge
- Mattresses
- Propane tanks
- Refuse that is on fire, smouldering, flammable or explosive
- Refuse that would contravene the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
- Any other refuse that the Manager considers unsuitable for handling
Many materials are now recyclable under the Extended Producer Responsibility Program. This program provides recycling and accessible recycling options region-wide.
- BC Used Oil Management Association motor oil, oil filters, oil & antifreeze containers, antifreeze
- Canadian Battery Association recycling of lead-acid batteries
- Call 2 Recycle rechargeable batteries, single use batteries and cell phones
- Recycle My Electronics end of life electronics recycling
- ElectroRecycle small appliances and power tools
- Return It Bottle Depots beverage container recycling
- Health Products Stewardship prescription drugs and over the counter medications
- Major Appliance Recycling end of life major household appliance recycling
- Outdoor Power Equipment electric power outdoor equipment
- Product Care Recycling left over paint, household hazardous waste, lights and smoke/CO alarms
- Recycle My Cell cell phones and cell phone accessories
- Thermostat Recovery Program thermostat recycling
- Tire Stewardship BC scrap tire recycling
- Retailer Take Back Programs many retailers have begun to offer voluntary recycling programs for a variety of materials.
If you are unsure of how to dispose of or recycle materials try:
- Entering the item in the City's Put Waste In Its Place app for options
- Recycling Council of BC or call their hotline 604-732-9253
- Metro Vancouver Recycles
- Metro Vancouver Transfer Stations and Landfills
- Recycle BC
- Contact the City's Engineering and Municipal Operations Department during regular office hours 604-541-2181
There Is No Public Garbage or Green Waste Drop-off Location Available in the White Rock / South Surrey Area
The City does not provide large item pick up. Residents and businesses can bring their large items, surplus garbage or green waste for a fee to a transfer station. Metro Vancouver runs a network of facilities across the region that offers waste disposal and recycling services. Contact Metro Vancouver Recycling and Waste Centre (formerly Metro Vancouver Transfer Stations and Landfills) directly for disposal rates, hours and acceptable items. View the closest transfer stations to White Rock.
Coexisting with Wildlife
Critters may be attracted to you garbage can, green can or recycling bin, but there are steps you can take to ward them off. Use the tips below to avoid attracting troublesome pests to your trash cans.
Tips to Keeping Pesky Critters Out of Your Garbage/Green Can
- Freeze food before collection day to avoid odors
- Keep cans clean by rinsing with soapy water; leaving soap residue may also mask food odors
- Keep cans in garage or shed during the week
- Put cans out as close to collection time (8 a.m.) as possible
- Try sprinkling peppermint leaves or strong peppermint tea in or around cans to repel pests
- Use bungee cord or weight on lid. Cord must be removed for collection
- Use sturdy cans with secure lids
- Wrap food in newsprint or paper bags