Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam share plenty on the waste side. Both cities sit beside the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre, and residents of both use the same short list of depots for items the curbside carts do not take. This guide brings the options into one place, explains how United Boulevard works, and covers what to do when the job is too big for a car trip.
The United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre
The centre is at 995 United Boulevard in Coquitlam. Metro Vancouver describes it as a full service recycling and waste centre for commercial, municipal and small vehicle customers. The City of Coquitlam says the facility is operated by Metro Vancouver and supported by resident and business taxes, and that it accepts many kinds of recycling, food scraps, yard trimmings and more at no cost to Coquitlam residents.
Hours
Metro Vancouver lists these year round hours: weekdays 5:30 am to 6:00 pm (recycling drop off opens at 7:00 am), Saturdays 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Sundays and statutory holidays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is closed December 25 and January 1. Weekday peak hours run from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, so earlier or later in the day is often calmer. Check the Metro Vancouver page before you go, since hours can change.
Two areas, free and paid
The centre is split into two areas. One is for free recycling and the other is for paid recycling and garbage. The City of Coquitlam notes that fees apply only for garbage drop off. Metro Vancouver publishes the full fee rules in its tipping fee bylaw, and we do not repeat any rates here because they change.
What the free recycling area takes
Metro Vancouver's page lists accepted items in detail. Some examples:
- Paper and cardboard: newspaper, flyers, magazines, cardboard, paper bags and shredded paper in a bag or box. Hardcover and paperback books are not accepted in this stream.
- Glass bottles and jars: clear and coloured, labels okay, empty and rinsed. Drinking glasses, dishes, cookware, window glass and mirrors are not accepted.
- Mixed containers: paper cups, cartons, empty aerosol containers, aluminum cans and foil, plastic tubs and lids, and plastic bottles and caps. Soft plastics and paint cans are not accepted here.
- Flexible plastics: grocery bags, zipper pouches, bubble wrap, shrink wrap and produce bags.
- Foam packaging: foam food containers and cushion packaging, with food residue and tape removed. Foam peanuts and foam board insulation are not accepted.
- Appliances, power tools and electric outdoor power equipment: the page lists examples such as drills, blenders, microwaves, washing machines and treadmills.
- Batteries: several types, including single use and rechargeable.
The City of Coquitlam adds that the centre accepts beverage containers, books, textiles, light fixtures, cooking oil, paint products, pesticides and gasoline, propane tanks and electronics. Food scraps and green waste are free for Coquitlam residents with proof of residency.
Many of these items are residential only. If you are cleaning out a business, call Metro Vancouver first.
Recycle BC depots for packaging
Recycle BC runs a network of depots where residents drop off packaging and paper free of charge. Its Coquitlam page says most depots accept paper, packaging, cardboard boxes, plastic and metal containers, cartons and paper cups, non deposit glass bottles and jars, foam packaging and flexible plastics.
The City of Port Coquitlam says you can take recycling to a Recycle BC depot for free, including many items that are not accepted in the blue cart, such as Styrofoam, aerosol cans, non refundable glass and small electronics. Its page lists the Recycle BC depot as PoCo Return-It at 2577 Kingsway in Port Coquitlam, phone 604-945-3313. The same page lists the Coquitlam Recycling and Waste Centre under other depots, where some materials can be dropped off at no charge. Always check the depot's own page for current hours and what it takes.
Curbside service
Both cities run curbside collection. Coquitlam's recycling page describes free curbside recycling for eligible homes. For collection days, cart sizes and rules in your neighbourhood, use your own city's page. Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam each publish their own schedule and set out rules, so do not assume one applies to the other.
When the cart or the car is not enough
Carts handle the weekly flow. The recycling centre handles sorted loads. A larger cleanout is different. Think of a full garage, a basement that has to be emptied, a deck teardown or a reno. That kind of volume does not fit in a cart and is painful to ferry in a car.
Most people planning junk, cleanouts and renos start with the 20-yard. Our 20-yard bin page has the details. A 15-yard junk bin is sometimes available, but it is often sold out. Plan around the 20-yard. For any other smaller size, just ask when booking. We bring the bin and haul it away. You do the loading. If the job sounds bigger when you call, we may suggest a larger bin.
A bin on private property, like your driveway or yard, needs no permit. Some cities need a permit for a bin on the street, boulevard or lane, so check with the City before you book. Your strata or HOA can still have rules of its own. If yours does, apply with the City, and we time delivery to any permit dates.
What stays out of the bin
Paint, propane, tires, fuel and electronics never go in a Trash King bin. The same goes for the other items on our what not to put in a bin page. The good news in the Tri Cities is that United Boulevard takes many of them. Take paint, propane, batteries, electronics and similar items there, and put the rest in the bin.
A simple plan
- Sort recyclables, electronics and hazardous items into the car for United Boulevard or a Recycle BC depot.
- Put bulky, non hazardous household junk in the bin.
- Leave clean wood, drywall, concrete and dirt in their own separate loads, since each needs its own bin.
Add a mattress or box spring to the load as an add on for an extra fee, and let us know when you book.
For city specific bin information, see our Coquitlam page and Port Coquitlam page.
FAQ
Where is the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre? It is at 995 United Boulevard in Coquitlam, according to Metro Vancouver and the City of Coquitlam.
Is United Boulevard free? The City of Coquitlam says the recycling is free for Coquitlam residents and that fees apply only for garbage drop off. Check Metro Vancouver's page for the current rules.
Can Port Coquitlam residents use it? Metro Vancouver describes the centre as serving the region's commercial, municipal and small vehicle customers. Port Coquitlam's own page lists PoCo Return-It on Kingsway as its Recycle BC depot, and lists the Coquitlam Recycling and Waste Centre under other depots. Confirm eligibility for any specific item with Metro Vancouver.
Can I put paint or propane in a bin? No. Paint, propane, tires, fuel and electronics never go in the bin.
What bin size should I start with? Plan on the 20-yard for junk and cleanouts, which is the usual start. Other sizes? Ask when booking.