What Goes Where
COVID-19 and Protecting our Waste Collection Workers
Waste Collection Services in Surrey continue as scheduled. As a precaution for the health and safety of waste collection workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, we ask that you please:
- Dispose of used personal hygiene products, wipes, face masks and gloves in your garbage cart.
- Securely tie garbage bags shut and place in your garbage cart on your regular collection day.
- If you’re sick or caring for someone who is sick, double bag all personal waste in plastic garbage bags.
- Do not approach our waste collection drivers.
We appreciate your patience and understanding.
How to Recycle Right
The recycling cart is for paper, plastic containers, and metal packaging only. Any other items must not be placed in recycling carts, as it significantly impacts the recycling process.
Placing unacceptable materials in your recycling cart:
- pollutes Surrey’s recycling stream;
- increases risk to workers;
- leads to loads being rejected; and
- leads to the City incurring financial penalties, which may impact annual waste collection utility rates.
That’s why we are now monitoring individual recycling carts to ensure compliance with program requirements. The City will not be collecting recycling carts that have unacceptable materials, so get to know what items should not go in your blue cart and where to dispose of them properly.
Everyone has a part to play to ensure we keep contamination out of the curbside recycling collection program. With the help of residents we are working together to reduce waste.
Learn if your item can be recycled, put in the organics cart, or put in the garbage cart.
Recycling Cart
What Goes In
- Aerosol cans
- Plastic packaging
- Paper products and packaging
- Metal containers and packaging
Remove lids, rinse and flatten your recycling.
What Stays Out
- Styrofoam
- Glass jars and bottles
- Plastic bags/soft plastics
- Small propane tanks
Organics Cart
What Goes In
- Yard waste
- Food waste (like cooking oils, tea, and coffee grounds)
What Stays Out
- Pet waste
- Diapers
- Plastic bags
- Milk jugs
Another way to reduce waste is to compost organic material.
If you're doing yard work, learn about pruning trees and removal of large branches/woody plant material.
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Hazardous Waste
Batteries, electronics, sharps and other hazardous materials require special handling.
Please visit Product Care Recycling's website, the Recycling Council of BC website, or call the recycling hotline at 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253) for information about the proper disposal procedure and to find a facility near you.
Kitchen Catchers
To make cleaning easier, kitchen catchers can be lined with newspaper, paper towel, or kraft paper bags. Kraft paper bags can be purchased in packages of 10 for $1.00 at participating City Recreation Facilities. Plastic or compostable bags are not permitted.
For more information regarding kitchen catchers, please call our Waste Collection Hotline at 604-590-7289.
Waste Sorting Guide
On the move but need a sorting guide? View the PDF version of the Waste Diversion Guide and/or download the Rethink Waste App.
