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 property can put out up to two containers of garbage (cans, bags or combination) every other week for curbside collection.
  • 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.


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 City Facilities.


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.

  1. Recyclables

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
  • Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene packaging)

To find out where to recycle these items, use Put Waste In Its Place.

  1. Hazardous Materials
  1. Product Materials

There are no public garbage or green waste drop-off locations in the White Rock

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 directly for disposal rates, hours and acceptable items and view the closest centre 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