Garbage and organics we collect
On this page, you can learn:
- what items we accept in our garbage, recycling, and organics collection
- what items you are not allowed to include in your collection
- how to recycle or properly dispose of most common household items
We transferred control of recycling collection services to Recycle BC on July 1, 2020. You can continue using your existing bins and bags, and use the DNVCollect app to track your recycling collection days. Learn more from Recycle BC.
Look up an individual item to see if we collect it
View a complete list of the types of items we collect
Recycling
Recycling
Starting July 1, 2020, Recycle BC is responsible for your recycling service. Recycle BC has contracted Emterra Environmental to pick up your recycling.
Your collection day will remain the same, you can continue to use your existing bins and bags, and use the DNVCollect app to track your recycling collection days.
Questions about recycling?
If you have questions about collection zones, missed pick ups, holiday schedules, or recycling containers, please contact Emterra at 778-589-3221 or NV.CSR@emterra.ca.
You can find out more about recycling by visiting the Recycle BC website.
Organics
Food scraps
You can put these food items in your organics cart
- Meat and bones
- Fish and shellfish
- Grains and pasta
- Dairy products
- Eggs and shells
- Plate scrapings
- Fruit and vegetables
- Food-soiled paper
- Coffee filters, grounds, and paper tea bags
- Yard trimmings
You can put these yard trimmings in your organics cart
- Grass clippings, leaves, weeds, brush and branches
- Plants and flowers (living or dead/dried)
- Plant, tree or hedge prunings less than 3" in diameter and no more than 3' in length
- Christmas trees cut to fit in your container (no flocking, tinsel, decorations or stand)
- Pumpkins after Halloween, broken into pieces
- Invasive species, except Giant Hogweed (double bag and put in the garbage)
Do not put these items in your organics cart
- Plastics (even if they're labeled biodegradable or compostable)
- Coffee cups
- Metal, rubber, or glass
- Diapers and baby wipes
- Pet waste and kitty litter
- Rocks, dirt, sod
- Painted or treated wood
- Garden hoses, flower pots, or other non-organic materials
- Giant Hogweed
Garbage
Garbage
We collect all regular household waste except for:
- yard trimmings and food scraps (organics)
- recyclables
- oversized items (such as furniture)
- construction materials
- dirt, rocks, sod
- small appliances
- used oil and antifreeze
- paint and pesticides
- explosives
- electronics and batteries
- tires
- medications
- Pet waste (small amounts are accepted in the garbage but it must be double-bagged for health and safety reasons). To learn more, visit Metro Vancouver's What to Do with Pet Waste webpage.
Living safely with wildlife
The District is home to a variety of wild animals, including skunks, raccoons, coyotes, cougars, and bears.
Whether they're searching for food, or looking for a warm place to call home, there are steps you can take to make your property less inviting to them.
