Sorting Recycling and Waste
Learn how to sort your recycling and waste. With your help, we can reduce the waste we send to landfills and reduce our impact on our environment.
You need to sort items into the correct cart. If your cart has unacceptable items, it might not be picked up.
Look up an item
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Rethink Waste appDownload the app to make it easy to look up an item.
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Waste sorting guideView online, download or print a copy.
Recycling (blue cart)
Accepted items
- Paper (newspaper, flyers, magazines, envelopes) but no books
- Cartons (milk, juice, ice cream)
- Cardboard (flattened)
- Plastic clamshells (for muffins, berries, pre-packaged meals, etc.)
- Plastic food storage containers (Tupperware, etc.)
- Plastic bottles (water, pop, etc.)
- Plastic tubs/containers (yoghurt, ice cream, laundry detergent)
- Plastic jars (jams, sauces, soaps, etc.)
- Plastic jugs (milk, water, juice)
- Tin cans (tuna, tomatoes, lentils)
- Empty aerosol spray cans
Non-accepted items
Take to recycling depot or Central Surrey Recycling and Waste Centre for free disposal
- Plastic bags
- Styrofoam
- Film plastics (Ziplock bags, overwrap on paper towels, etc.)
- Batteries
- Candy wrappers, chips bags
- Electronics or small appliances (toasters, fans, cables, extension cords, etc.)
- Glass jars
- Propane canisters
- Scrap metal in poor condition (pots and pans, kettle, clothes hangers, etc.)
- Lighting products (light bulbs, light fixtures, string lights)
Reuse, donate or sell
- Books
- Clothing in good condition
- Scrap metal in good condition (pots and pans, kettle, clothes hangers, etc.)
Put in garbage
- Clothing in poor condition
- Garden hoses
- Personal hygiene products
Organics (green cart)
Accepted items
- Yard waste
- Food waste (small amount of cooking oil, tea bags, and coffee grounds)
Larger amounts of cooking oil can be taken to the Central Surrey Recycling and Waste Centre for free disposal.
Non-accepted items
- Compostable or biodegradable bags
- Pet waste
- Diapers
- Plastic bags
- Milk jugs
- Dirt or sod
Another way to reduce waste is to compost organic material.
Garbage (black cart)
Accepted items
Only waste that cannot be recycled or composted goes in your garbage:
- Broken glassware
- Broken toys
- Diapers
- Garden hoses
Non-accepted items
- Food scraps
- Recycling
- Renovation materials
More options
Donate or sell used items
Divert waste from landfills by giving your old furniture, clothing, electronics, sports equipment or small appliances a new life! Repair your item, donate it to a local charity or even sell it.
You can sell your used items through Surrey Reuses (certain conditions and restrictions apply). The maximum list pricing is $99 to encourage reusing materials.
Organizations and charities
Listed below are organizations and charities in Surrey that accept gently used items for donation. Please contact the organization in advance to ensure it accepts the materials or items you'd like to donate, and ensure that all items are gently used and in working condition.
*Offers pick-up services - please see website for details.
Organization | Accepted items |
---|---|
Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver | Gently used clothing and small household items* |
Clothesline | Canadian Diabetes Association | Gently used clothing, small household items, electronics and excess business inventory* |
Habitat for Humanity Restore | New and gently used building materials (windows, doors, paint, etc.), lighting fixtures, furniture and appliances |
Mennonite Central Committee Canada Thrift Shop | Gently used clothing, small household items, electronics and furniture* |
Salvation Army | Gently used clothing, small household items, electronics and furniture* |
Surrey Women's Centre | Gently used adult women's clothing (seasonal) and small household items |
Surrey Hospice Society & Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society Community Thrift Store | Gently used clothing, household items, books, electronic goods, art, linens, collectibles, and fashion accessories. |
Value Village | Gently used clothing, small household items, sports equipment and small furniture |
WorldServe Thrift Store | Gently used clothing, small household items, sports equipment, small appliances and furniture* |
White Rock South Surrey Hospice Thrift Store | Gently used clothing, small household items, electronics, sports equipment and furniture* |
Backyard composting
Put your yard waste into your compost to help your sustainable garden. Composting is great because it:
- gives nutrition to your garden, lawn, and plants;
- boosts soil structure without harsh chemicals; and
- eliminates waste going to landfills.
Surrey residents can purchase an Earth Machine Back Yard Composter for $25. The Earth Machine Back Yard Composter dimensions are:
- 80-gallon capacity
- 33" high
- 33" diametre
Payment & pick-up
You must pay for your composter prior to picking it up. Payment can be processed:
In person
City Hall
Address: 13450 - 104 Avenue
Hours of operation: 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday
By phone
604-591-4181
Hours of operation: 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday
Please note that composters are final sale. Your receipt or proof of payment is required in order to pick up your composter.
Pick up of the composter is available at:
Storage yard
Address: 14577 - 66 Avenue
Phone: 604-590-7289
Hours of operation: 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday
Learn more about backyard composting with tips from Metro Vancouver.
Hazardous waste
Batteries, electronics, sharps and other hazardous materials require special handling.
Find proper disposal procedures and a facility near you:
- Product Care Recycling
- Recycling Council of BC
- call 604-RECYCLE (604-732-9253)