Langley is two municipalities, and that trips people up. The Township of Langley and the City of Langley run their own waste services, with different carts, schedules and contractors. Fort Langley and Aldergrove are part of the Township. This guide covers how each one works, using each government’s own pages, so you know who to call and where to go.
Which Langley are you in?
If you are not sure, check your property tax notice or ask the municipality. The rules below depend on it.
- Township of Langley. Includes Fort Langley, Aldergrove and other communities.
- City of Langley. The urban core.
Township of Langley
The cart program
The Township says all residential properties receiving municipal garbage collection take part in its cart collection program. Its page lists:
- Green Cart. Collected weekly, for food scraps, yard trimmings and soiled paper.
- Garbage Cart. Collected every other week.
- Boxes and bag. Collected weekly, for containers, paper and glass bottles and jars.
The Township notes that garbage collected every other week is common in surrounding municipalities, naming Abbotsford, Surrey and Vancouver. For your own dates, use the collection calendar for your property.
What goes in the garbage cart
The Township says garbage carts should only hold items that are not accepted in the Green Cart or curbside recycling, or that cannot be taken back to a recycling depot. Individual garbage items must not exceed 2.5 metres (8.2 feet) in length or 1.2 metres in width. Carts go curbside by 7:30 am on collection day. Its What Goes Where tool is the place to check a specific item.
The Township also warns that some materials are banned from Metro Vancouver disposal facilities, and that if banned materials are found in your garbage, it will not be collected.
Extra garbage
According to the Township, garbage cart lids must fully close and overfilled carts may not be collected. For occasional extra garbage you can buy Extra Garbage stickers, which the page lists at $3.50 per bag or 80 L can. Extra garbage is only picked up on garbage collection days. The page lists places that sell stickers and says you can order by mail by calling Township Customer Service at 604-534-3211. For regular overflow, households may exchange for a larger cart or order up to two additional garbage carts, and only a registered property owner may request changes. Check the Township's page for current prices and rules.
Missed pickups
If garbage was not picked up, the Township says to look for a tag first. If there is no tag, call the Township's contractor, Sierra Waste Services Ltd., at 604-530-3939.
City of Langley
The City of Langley's page lists Emterra Environmental as the contact for garbage and organics, and GFL Environmental as the contact for recycling. It also lists a link to schedule a large item pick-up and a collection schedule. For holidays, it says garbage, recycling and organics are collected on statutory holidays, except that collection is delayed by one day on January 1 and December 25. In snow, collection may be delayed, and the contractor will attempt to collect later that day or the next day.
Use the City's own page for current collection rules and contacts.
Metro Vancouver's Langley Recycling and Waste Centre
Metro Vancouver runs the Langley Recycling and Waste Centre for garbage and recycling drop-off. Its page says recycling materials should be separated by type and placed in designated bins, and that donation bins from local non-profit organizations are available in the recycling drop-off area, taking mostly clothing and books. All loads must be off-loaded by hand, and self-tipping vehicles are not permitted. Payment accepted includes Visa, MasterCard, debit, Apple Pay and cash. For fees, hours and accepted items, use the Metro Vancouver page.
When a bin makes sense in Langley
Carts and stickers handle normal household flow. A big cleanout is different. Think of a big yard clean-up, a reno or clearing out a property. Our Langley, Fort Langley and Aldergrove pages cover local service. For a large lot, see our big property cleanup guide for Langley and Maple Ridge.
Begin with the 20-yard for junk, cleanouts and renos, since it is the usual starting size. The 15-yard junk bin is sometimes available, but it is often sold out, so plan around the 20-yard. Ask when you book about other smaller sizes. If the job looks bigger when you call, we may suggest a larger bin. You handle the loading. Trash King delivers the bin and takes it away. More is on the 20-yard bin page.
A bin on your own driveway or yard needs no permit, since that is private property. A bin on the street, boulevard or lane needs a City permit (the Township for Langley, Fort Langley and Aldergrove addresses). Strata or HOA rules may still apply on top of that. You apply with the City, and we set delivery for your permit dates. For Township addresses that means the Township.
These never go in a Trash King bin: paint, propane, tires, fuel and electronics. You can see everything else on the list on our what not to put in a bin page.
Mattresses and box springs cost extra as an add-on. Mention them when you book.
Quick guide
| Need | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Regular household garbage in the Township | Garbage Cart, every other week |
| Occasional extra garbage in the Township | Extra Garbage stickers |
| Missed pickup in the Township | Sierra Waste Services |
| Garbage and organics in the City | Emterra Environmental |
| Recycling in the City | GFL Environmental |
| Drop-off | Metro Vancouver’s Langley Recycling and Waste Centre |
| Big cleanout | A disposal bin |
FAQ
Is Aldergrove in the Township or the City? Aldergrove is part of the Township of Langley.
Who collects garbage in the Township? The Township says its contractor is Sierra Waste Services Ltd.
How often is garbage collected in the Township? Every other week, with Green Carts and recycling weekly.
How do I get extra garbage collected? The Township sells Extra Garbage stickers for occasional extra bags. Check its page for current prices.
Do I need a permit for a bin in Langley? Not on private property such as a driveway or yard. A bin on the street, boulevard or lane needs a permit from the City, or from the Township for Township addresses.