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Waste & recycling in Port Coquitlam, BC

Use this guide to check collection zones, cart and glass schedules, large-item pickup, local recycling depots, nearby disposal, and permits that may apply when a container occupies public space.

Four-stream City collection Five collection zones Local and regional depots Large items & container permits

At a glance

  • City: Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
  • Region: Metro Vancouver
  • Green cart: Weekly
  • Garbage and recycling: Alternating weeks
  • Glass: Monthly
Find your collection schedule Search Sort It Right

What can go into a dumpster in Port Coquitlam?

Private haulers and receiving facilities set their own material, weight and contamination rules. Describe every material in the load before booking.

Separate reusable, recyclable, compostable and hazardous material. Metro Vancouver disposal bans and facility surcharges can apply to mixed garbage loads.

Common loads (confirm first)

  • Household junk with no practical reuse, pickup or recycling option
  • Furniture and bulky items outside the City program or annual allowance
  • Construction and demolition debris accepted by the selected hauler and facility
  • Clean wood, metal, gypsum and green waste when separated for an appropriate processor

Keep out unless specifically approved

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

Many restricted products have stewardship drop-off programs. Never conceal hazardous or prohibited material in a mixed load.

Who handles residential collection?

The City provides colour-coded carts and bins to more than 12,500 participating single-family homes, multi-family properties and businesses. Service eligibility depends on whether the property receives and pays for City collection.

Current collection frequency

For properties receiving City service:

  • Green carts for food scraps and yard trimmings are collected weekly
  • Blue recycling carts and grey garbage carts are collected on alternating weeks
  • Grey glass bins are collected monthly

Keep garbage and food scraps in a wildlife-resistant enclosure or secured cart. On collection day, set unlocked carts out between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m. and secure them again by 7 p.m.

Schedules, sorting and bulky-item service

Port Coquitlam has five collection zones. Use the official address tool and sorting search for property-specific details.

Collection schedule
Enter an address or check the current calendar and zone map.
Find schedule
Sort It Right
Search an item to find its correct cart, depot or disposal route.
Search items
Large Item Pick-Up
Eligible households must book and wait for a confirmed date.
Check eligibility

Drop-off and disposal options near Port Coquitlam

PoCo Return-It accepts many household recycling and stewardship streams in the city. United Boulevard in Coquitlam accepts garbage, paid recycling and a broader range of separated materials.

Check the operator immediately before visiting. Accepted materials, preparation rules, vehicle limits, hours and fees can change.

A recycling depot is not automatically a general garbage facility. Commercial quantities may also have different rules.

PoCo Return-It

A local Recycle BC and stewardship depot for packaging, beverage containers and selected household products.

  • Address: 2577 Kingsway Avenue, Port Coquitlam, BC
  • Accepts Recycle BC depot materials plus streams such as electronics, batteries, paint and lighting
  • Check the depot listing for current limits and preparation requirements
City depot guide

United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre

Metro Vancouver facility in neighbouring Coquitlam with separate free-recycling, paid-recycling and garbage areas.

  • Address: 1200 United Boulevard, Coquitlam, BC
  • Accepts garbage, bulky items and designated paid recycling streams
  • Many separated household recycling and stewardship products have designated drop-off areas
Facility details

Large-item pickup, dumpster rental or junk removal?

Choose based on City-program eligibility, load size, timing and whether labour is needed.

City Large Item Pick-Up

Booked service for qualifying households

A qualifying household may book two pickups of up to three accepted items each, or one pickup of four to six items, per calendar year. Construction waste, hazardous waste and regular household garbage are excluded.

Review accepted items and book

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.

Review disposal alternatives

Permits for dumpsters and refuse containers

Keep a rented container entirely on private property when possible. A container, trailer or related work that occupies or obstructs a City road, lane, parking lane, sidewalk or boulevard requires advance review and may require highway-use and road-closure approvals.

Contact Port Coquitlam Engineering before booking delivery to public space. The City asks applicants to allow 15 working days for Highway Use Permit review; road-closure applications have their own requirements and review period.

Highway Use Permit

  • Apply with a complete Highway Use Permit application when the proposed use affects a City highway.
  • Application, inspection and security charges may apply.
  • Approval conditions depend on the site, proposed use and potential damage or traffic impacts.

Road or lane occupancy

  • Temporary storage in the road right-of-way can require a Road/Lane Closure Request.
  • A traffic management plan and public notification may be required depending on the road and duration.
  • Do not place a container on public property until the City confirms the required approvals.
Official resources:Port Coquitlam Highway Use PermitPort Coquitlam Road Closure PermitMetro Vancouver disposal bans

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