New Waste Collection System Begins in Coquitlam

Nothing, absolutely NOTHING, says “life in the burbs” like worrying about garbage and wondering if today is garbage day. So it is with great excitement that I look forward to Wednesday of this week when the new automated waste collection system kicks into high gear.

Coquitlam residents in single-family homes will receive green waste and recycling collection weekly, while the Garbage Cart – which should only include non-recyclable and non-compostable materials – will be picked up every two weeks.

Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the ‘A’ and ‘B’ Zone system to confirm whether their first garbage collection falls in this week or next week.

Or you can do what I did and load the iPhone app (there is an Android version as well) onto my phone so that while I am quietly sipping my first cup of coffee in the morning I get an alarm similar to a nuclear power plant meltdown tone to alert me to the fact that it is in fact garbage day and I now need to scramble all units to get the waste to the curb.

Now, I will get the meltdown tone to remind me it is green waste collection day every week and garbage day every second week.

However, if you don’t want another phone app, you can find your new collection zone – including whether you’re an A or a B Zone for garbage collection – and pick-up dates in the 2014/2015 Curbside Collection Calendar. Or, get your customized Curbside Collection Calendar from www.coquitlam.ca/curbsidecollection or just go outside every morning and see if your neighbour has put his or her garbage or green waste out on the curb and you follow along.

The new system – with its emphasis on separating waste into garbage, green waste and recycling – will help us reduce the amount of garbage we send to our landfills.

The system is also economical, efficient and better for the environment. The average resident has saved 20% on garbage fees on their 2014 utility bill. The new collection trucks are powered by compressed natural gas, which will reduce CO2 emissions.

The City will be collecting old garbage cans in the fall. However, for residents who wish to dispose of them sooner, cans with a 1, 2, 4 or 5 recycling symbol can be taken to Wastech at 1200 United Boulevard for free. After all, old garbage cans are not actually garbage!

For more information, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions, please visit www.coquitlam.ca/trashtalk or call Engineering Customer Service at 604-927-3500.