FAQs
- promote a circular economy,
- reduce contamination in recycling streams,
- optimize waste collection operations, and
- ensure that the City's waste management systems are efficient, environmentally responsible, and aligned with community feedback and Provincial and Federal regulations.
- Food Scraps or Liquids in Recycling Bins: Placing food waste or liquids in recycling bins can contaminate other recyclables, making them harder to process and more likely to be sent to landfill.
- Plastic Bags or Soft Plastics in Recycling Bins: Plastic bags and other soft plastics are not accepted in curbside recycling and can get tangled in sorting equipment, disrupting operations and increasing the risk of contamination.
- Non-Compostable Items in Organics Bins: Placing items like plastic utensils or glass in organics bins contaminates compostable materials, making it difficult to produce high-quality compost.
- Hazardous Waste in Garbage Bins: Hazardous materials, such as batteries, chemicals, and electronics, should never be placed in garbage bins. These items can cause damage to waste processing equipment, increase the risk of fires, and pose health hazards. Hazardous waste should always be taken to designated drop-off locations for safe disposal.
- Electronics and Clothing in Garbage Bins: Electronics and clothing do not belong in the garbage. These items should be recycled or donated to appropriate facilities to reduce landfill waste and environmental impact.
- Garbage: Garbage refers to waste that cannot be recycled or composted. It includes items like non-recyclable plastics, broken household items, and other disposable materials that are sent to the landfill.
- Glass: Glass is collected separately from other recyclables. Clean glass bottles and jars are placed in dedicated bins and recycled into new glass products.
- Organics: Organic waste includes food scraps, yard trimmings, and other biodegradable materials. In New Westminster, these items are collected separately to be composted, reducing the amount of waste sent to the landfill and turning it into valuable compost.
- Recycling: Recycling involves collecting and processing materials like paper and plastics so they can be reused in the creation of new products. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials and conserves energy.
- Other items: Certain items are not accepted in curbside collection and must be taken to a recycling depot. These items include soft plastics, books, metals, electronics, and textiles, which require specialized processing to avoid contamination in the regular recycling streams.
Why is the City creating a Solid Waste Master Plan?
The Solid Waste Master Plan is designed to guide the City in managing waste over the coming years. Recommendations in the plan will help us reduce waste, improve recycling efforts, reduce contamination, and support sustainability goals such as zero waste. These recommendations could include events organized by the City, as well as education campaigns and enforcement to support residents in reducing waste and recycling.
The plan will include waste management best practices and also incorporate feedback from the community to ensure it reflects the needs and priorities of residents and businesses.
What are the key objectives of the Solid Waste Master Plan?
The Solid Waste Master Plan aims to:
How does the City of New Westminster currently manage its waste?
The City currently provides curbside and multi-family waste collection, which includes services for garbage, organics, and recycling, including glass.
The City has also launched several initiatives, such as the Contamination Reduction Plan, to educate residents and keep more materials out of the landfill.
What is contamination, and why is it a problem?
Contamination occurs when the materials are placed in the wrong recycling or organics bins. For example, when non-recyclable items or garbage are mixed in with recyclables they become contaminants. Contamination reduces the quality of recyclables and can cause entire loads to be sent to the landfill.
Some examples of contamination include:
What can I do with flexible plastics and other materials that are not accepted in residential collection?
Materials like flexible plastics, soft plastics, styrofoam and others are accepted at recycling depots, such as the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre, and Return-It locations in Sapperton, Queensborough, Edmonds, and others. The City may also host special events where you can drop off these materials, so be sure to check your Recycle Coach app and City Events page for updates on upcoming recycling drop-off events.
Click here for more information about recycling locations.
Can the City pick up extra waste or large items that don’t fit in my bins?
Yes, residents can request special pick-up services for an extra fee. A special pick-up refers to a scheduled waste collection service for bulky items that are not part of the regular waste collection. This can include items like additional yard waste bags, bulky items such as furniture or appliances, and other large waste that doesn't fit in standard bins.
Special pick-up services are arranged in advance and often require a fee, depending on the type and quantity of waste being collected. These services help ensure that larger or unusual items are disposed of properly without contributing to illegal dumping. More information about that here: City of New Westminster - Special Pick Up Program
Construction and demolition materials, including wood, drywall, and concrete, cannot be collected through special pick-up services. They must be taken to a designated recycling depot for proper disposal. This ensures safe and environmentally responsible handling of heavy and potentially hazardous materials.
How does the City enforce its waste management regulations?
The City enforces waste management bylaws to ensure proper sorting and disposal of waste. This may include issuing warnings or fines for improper sorting, illegal dumping, or failure to follow waste collection guidelines. The Solid Waste Master Plan will also provide recommendations on improving enforcement practices through bylaws, auditing schedules, and fines.
The New Westminster Solid Waste Bylaw is a set of regulations established by the City of New Westminster to manage the collection, disposal, and recycling of waste materials within the city. This bylaw outlines the responsibilities of residents, businesses, and the City regarding waste management practices. The bylaw aims to promote responsible waste disposal, reduce contamination in recycling streams, and support the City's goals for sustainability and waste reduction. Review the Solid Waste Bylaw here: Solid Waste Bylaw No. 7634, 2014.
What is a circular economy, and why is it important?
A circular economy is an economic system designed to minimize waste and make the most of available resources. Unlike the traditional linear model of "take, make, dispose," a circular economy focuses on keeping products, materials, and resources in use for as long as possible. This approach emphasizes the importance of reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling items to create a closed-loop system that reduces the need for completely new materials and decreases environmental impact.
The Solid Waste Master Plan aims to promote circular economy practices in New Westminster. For example, the City may host a variety of events that promote a circular economy and contamination reduction. Events like repair cafés, where residents can bring items such as clothing, furniture, and other belongings to be repaired instead of discarded, encourage reuse and waste reduction. Additionally, recycling drop-offs for items like soft plastics, books, or textiles—which are not accepted in the regular recycling stream—offer residents more options to responsibly dispose of these materials and keep them out of the landfill.
What is zero waste?
Zero Waste is a goal and philosophy aimed at reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators by redesigning the way resources are used. It encourages the efficient use of materials through practices like reducing, reusing, recycling, and composting to eliminate waste at its source. The ultimate aim is to create a circular system where products are reused or repurposed rather than discarded, contributing to environmental sustainability. In a zero waste system, materials are continuously reused, much like how natural systems operate without waste. This approach helps conserve resources, reduce pollution, and minimize the environmental impact of waste.
What’s illegal dumping, and what should I do if I see garbage left where it shouldn’t be?
Illegal dumping is the unlawful disposal of waste in locations not designated for such purposes. This can include dumping garbage, construction debris, hazardous materials, or other items in public spaces, vacant lots, or natural areas.
Illegal dumping poses significant environmental and public health risks, as it can contaminate soil and water, create hazards for wildlife, and diminish community aesthetics. Residents are encouraged to report any observed incidents on See Click Fix to help maintain a clean and safe environment.
More information on Illegal Dumping can be found here: City of New Westminster - Illegal Dumping.
What materials does the City pick up from my home/building/complex, and what’s the best way to find out information about my pick-up service? What materials can I put in my bins?
Waste refers to any unwanted or discarded material that is no longer useful or needed. It can come from households, businesses, or organizations and is managed through proper disposal, recycling, or composting methods. Waste is categorized into several streams to ensure that materials are either reused, recycled, or disposed of correctly. The City picks up:
Recycle Coach is the City of New Westminster's recycling app designed to assist residents with their waste management needs. The app provides information about collection schedules, alerts for delayed pick-ups due to weather or access issues, and notifications for upcoming events. Additionally, it offers educational materials to help residents understand recycling practices and features a "What Goes Where" tool to clarify proper disposal methods for various materials. Recycle Coach Application.