Recycling & Garbage Services Overview
Richmond delivers programs for responsible garbage collection and community recycling. Residents can recycle paper, glass and plastics through the Blue Box or Blue Cart recycling programs, and compost food scraps and yard trimmings through Green Can program. Partnerships with local companies support industry take back programs for prohited garbage items such as electronics, batteries, tires, paint and solvents. Public Spaces recycling programs provide opportunities to keep Richmond clean. Community Outreach offer tips on recycling, composting, and reuse. The goal being an overall reduction of garbage beging generated in Richmond and divert 70% of remainig waste from the landfill by 2015.Richmond is working with Metro Vancouver to implement its Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan to achieve its goals to divert waste from the landfill. The City has identified its goals within the plan and provides an update on its achivements in Report 2010: Towards Excellence in Solid Waste Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What can I take to the City Recycling Depot, and when is it open?
- What day is recycling picked up in my area?
- What day is garbage picked up in my area?
- What materials can I put in my blue box?
- What materials are not allowed in the garbage?
- What do I do with household hazardous products that I cannot recycle?
- How do I recycle food scraps and yard trimmings?
The City of Richmond, through its Environmental Programs department, offers the following services to help protect our environment for the future:
- A Recycling and Garbage Collection Schedule is delivered each year to single-family homes.
- Residential Garbage Collection and Disposal is provided for all single-family dwellings and some townhome developments.
- Food Scraps & Yard Trimmings Recycling is provided to all single-family dwellings, and some townhome developments.
- Blue Box Recycling Services are provided to all single-family dwellings, and some townhome developments.
- Blue Cart Recycling Services are provided to all multi-family units and some townhome developments.
- A City Recycling Depot is open to all residents and to businesses and organizations that generate small quantities of materials.
- Yard Trimmings Drop-Off is provided for single-family homes. There are two depots in Richmond for yard waste drop-off.
- The City's Compost Demonstration Garden is open to the public, and the City distributes compost bins to residents.
- The Community Outreach Program organizes presentations and displays on environmental awareness for community events.
- City crews pick up litter and garbage from parks, trails and public spaces, and the City is encouraging residents and visitors to put litter in its place.
- The dumping of garbage is illegal in Richmond except at authorized disposal sites. Please report any illegal dumping.
More Information
For information about how to manage and reduce waste and protect the environment, click on the links on the left side of this page.
Richmond residents can get brochures on garbage and recycling by visiting Richmond City Hall (6911 No. 3 Road), City Recycling Depot (5555 Lynas Lane), call our information line at 604-276-4010 or email Garbage and Recycling.
The City and partners also conduct various activities to educate the public about recycling, composting and waste management. Visit the Community Outreach page for more information.
Some other sources of information on recycling and waste reduction:
The Metro Vancouver distributes information for consumers on how to reduce, re-use and recycle. It also works with industry to design recycling programs that address the needs of individual businesses. 
Visit the Metro Vancouver website site to find out about the Zero Waste Challenge and obtain useful information about how to manage your waste and hazardous materials.
RCBC Recycling Hotline is a regional service where operators answer general questions about recycling. 604-RECYCLE (732-9253) or 1-800-667-4321.
Encorp Pacific will provide information on return locations for non-alcoholic beverage containers. 604-473-2400. Information on beverage container recycling is provided elsewhere on this web site.
