Garbage and Recycling

The City of Dawson Creek manages the residential curbside garbage and recycling program. A contractor sorts the recycling to ensure there is no food waste, garbage, or other unacceptable items and then sends out for processing. After sorting, recycled material goes to a variety of locations to be remade into other materials.

Carts

The City provides a 180-litre garbage cart and a 360-litre recycling cart for each address. We assign each cart to that address and stays with the home. 

Apartments, townhomes and condos

Our pick-up services are not available for apartments and some townhouses. Our services may be available if you live in a strata, mobile home park or gated community. Contact our Utilities Clerk to find out.

Purchase an additional cart

You can purchase an additional cart for cost +15%. To learn more about the current cost of carts or how to complete your purchase, contact our Utilities Clerk.

Cost

Every residential address, aside from apartment buildings and some townhomes, must pay garbage and recycling fees. These charges will show up on your City utility bill every second month. The fees are updated each year according to our Fees and Charges Bylaw. 

Opt out

You may opt out of the program if you are a commercial, industrial or institutional property owner that uses private, commercial waste collection service. Multifamily properties of more than five units may also opt out and choose a private collection service. The entire property or strata must choose to opt out, not individual units.

Renters

We add garbage and recycling fees to the utility bill for each household. You and your landlord will determine who is responsible to cover those costs.

Recycling tips

Recycling is easier for all of us when we get it right the first time. Follow these tips to make sure your carts are collected: 

• bring glass, foam packaging, or soft plastics go to a drop-off depot
• bring yard waste to the Yard Waste Collection Site
• make sure your lid closes or your cart won't be collected
• place your carts by your curb by 7:00 AM on your collection day
• wash and rinse plastic containers

Recycling Guide

We have partnered with RecycleBC to reduce contamination in our recycling program. As part of our education efforts, you may receive a notice on your cart or mailbox letting you know why your cart was not collected. Please resort your materials for your next collection day and remove any contaminated or unacceptable items. In addition to leaving your cart behind, you may also be subject to a $100 fine for each offense.

Fees and Charges