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Waste and recycling information for communities throughout British Columbia

Waste & recycling in North Vancouver, BC

North Vancouver includes two municipalities with separate garbage and organics services: the City and the District. Confirm your municipality before using a schedule or permit link.

City & District guidance Address-based schedules North Shore waste centre Bins & street permits

At a glance

  • Municipalities: City and District of North Vancouver
  • Region: Metro Vancouver
  • City curbside: Garbage every other week; Green Can weekly
  • Recycling: Recycle BC, collected by Emterra
  • Drop-off: North Shore Recycling and Waste Centre, 30 Riverside Drive West
City collection information District collection schedule

What can go into a dumpster in North Vancouver?

Private haulers and receiving facilities set load-specific acceptance, weight and contamination rules. Identify every material before ordering a bin.

Separate reusable, recyclable, compostable and hazardous material. Metro Vancouver disposal bans and surcharges apply at regional facilities.

Common loads (confirm first)

  • Household junk with no practical reuse or recycling option
  • Furniture and bulky items accepted by the selected facility
  • Construction debris approved by both the hauler and receiving facility
  • Clean wood, gypsum, metal and yard material separated for the appropriate stream

Keep out unless specifically approved

  • Asbestos, fuels, chemicals and other hazardous materials
  • Batteries, electronics, propane cylinders, paint and used oil
  • Food scraps and recyclable materials banned from regional garbage loads
  • Tires, mattresses, gypsum and appliances mixed into general waste

Many restricted products have designated stewardship drop-offs. Never conceal them in a mixed load.

Who handles residential collection?

The City and District separately collect garbage and organics from eligible properties. Recycle BC is responsible for residential packaging and paper recycling in both municipalities and uses Emterra as its collection provider.

Check the correct municipality

Collection rules depend on the property address:

  • City curbside garbage is collected every other week
  • City Green Cans, yard trimmings and residential recycling are collected weekly
  • District residents should use the District address lookup for the current garbage and organics schedule

Both municipalities require collection-day set-out to reduce wildlife conflicts. Keep carts secured until the official morning set-out window.

Schedules and sorting tools

Choose the service matching your municipal address; the City and District are separate local governments.

City collection and CityCollect
City schedules, reminders and material rules.
City details
District collection schedule
Look up service by District address.
District schedule
Recycle BC guide
Recycling schedule, sorting and contact details.
Recycling guide

Drop-off and disposal options in North Vancouver

The North Shore Recycling and Waste Centre has separate free-recycling and paid recycling/garbage areas. Other local depots accept narrower stewardship and packaging streams.

Check official facility details before every trip. Hours, fees, vehicle rules, preparation requirements and accepted materials can change.

Separate loads before arrival and follow signs for the correct entrance and material area.

North Shore Recycling and Waste Centre

Metro Vancouver facility with free recycling plus paid recycling and garbage services.

  • Address: 30 Riverside Drive West, North Vancouver, BC
  • Garbage, mattresses, gypsum, green waste and clean wood are among the paid streams
  • Packaging, electronics, paint, batteries, oil and other separated products have designated recycling areas
Facility details

Local Return-It depots

Brooksbank and Donaghy depots accept selected refundable, packaging and stewardship materials; they are not general garbage facilities.

  • Confirm accepted products with the depot before visiting
  • Selected flexible plastics, foam packaging, electronics, paint, small appliances and textiles may be accepted
  • Use the regional recycling search for other material-specific locations
Find recycling options

Bulky items, dumpster rental or junk removal?

North Vancouver municipal curbside programs are not a general large-item pickup service. Choose a verified drop-off or private service based on material, load size and whether loading labour is needed.

Self-haul bulky items

For accepted items you can transport safely

Check the North Shore facility material list and fee category first. Mattresses, gypsum and other special materials must be separated and may carry specific fees.

Review facility details

Private bin or junk removal

For renovations and larger cleanouts

A bin suits material you can load yourself. A junk-removal crew handles loading. Confirm the destination, included weight, prohibited materials and surcharges before booking.

Search regional recycling options

Permits for dumpsters and storage containers

In the City of North Vancouver, placing a bulk refuse or mobile storage container on a City street requires a street container permit. District properties are under a different authority; contact the District before placing anything on a road or boulevard.

Use private property when possible. For City street use, submit the complete application and payment at least 10 full business days before placement.

City application requirements

  • Apply for the specific container and placement dates.
  • Provide $5 million liability insurance naming the City as an additional insured.
  • The container company and other involved businesses must meet City licensing and insurance requirements.

Placement and visibility

  • City permits restrict placement near travel lanes, hydrants, driveways, intersections, lanes and mobility routes.
  • Keep the container visible with the safety devices required by the permit.
  • Confirm District highway-use requirements directly with the District for District addresses.
Official resources:City street-use permitsDistrict highway construction and planting permitsMetro Vancouver disposal bans

Source review

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