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Recycling and Garbage Services Overview

Food Scraps Disposal Ban

Food Scraps Not Permitted in Garbage
Food scraps are not permitted in the garbage as part of a Metro Vancouver disposal ban. Instead they must be recycled. Under Metro Vancouver's inspection program, if food scraps are found in the garbage, the load will be subject to surcharges.

Food scraps don’t belong in the garbage. They decay in the landfill, where there is little oxygen. This produces methane gas which is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Food scraps can easily be recycled into compost for nutrient-rich soil, which helps reduce garbage costs and provides for more sustainable waste management. By keeping these materials out of the garbage, we are all doing our part to support the City’s goal to be a “Recycling Smart City” and divert 80% of waste from the landfill by 2020.

Richmond’s Green Cart program makes it easy and convenient for residents to recycle food scraps.

  • All single-family homes townhomes with City garbage and/or Blue Box services have Green Cart service. For tips on how to use your Green Cart, visit Green Cart Recycling.
  • The Green Cart program is available to residents in multi-family complexes like apartments and condominiums to provide convenient food scraps recycling. For more information visit Green Cart Program for Multi-family Complexes.

Commercial Operators: Metro Vancouver lists companies that provide organics recycling service. For details, select the link that's relevant to you:

  • Grocers 
  • Restaurants        
  • For other commercial sectors, please call Recycling Council of BC at 604-732-9253.

Related Links and Resources

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