Household Hazardous Waste

2024 Collection Event Details

This event is for Township of Langley residents only. Proof of Township residency required (ex. driver’s license, utility bill, tax notice, etc.).

When: Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 from 9am to 3pm both days.

Location: East parking lot - George Preston Recreation Centre (20699 – 42 Ave).

• Access to the event is via southbound 208 Street only.
• This event is a drive through event. Walk-ins are not permitted.
• Items will only be accepted from vehicle trunks/hatches or truck beds. Items will not be accepted from the vehicle cabin.
• Residents must remain in their vehicles at all times. Event staff will unload waste from your vehicle. Please ensure only items for disposal are in your vehicle.
• Liquid items must be in a secure container with a secure lid. Leaking items will not be accepted as they can be dangerous if spilled or missed with other materials.
• Boxes, totes, and containers carrying or storing items for drop-off will not be returned (ex. Rubbermaid-type containers).

Non-perishable food donations will be collected on behalf of the Aldergrove Food Bank.

Items accepted at the event for drop-off

*Items with an asterisk (*) have free year-round disposal options available. Metro Vancouver’s Central Surrey Recycling and Waste Centre (6711 – 154 Street) accepts all asterisked items, while more local options may exist for specific materials. Call the Recycling Council of BC’s Recyclepedia service at 604-RECYCLE (732-9253) or visit tol.ca/takeitback for options.

Residents with paints or stains are asked to return these items to local depots for free, year-round recycling as part of provincial stewardship programs run by Product Care Recycling.

Items not accepted at the event (list is not comprehensive):

• Appliances with refrigerant (ex. refrigerator, air conditioner, etc.)
• Biohazardous items, including sharps
• Built-in appliances (ex. over-the-range microwave)
• Explosives, ammunition, fireworks, and flares
• Gas Outdoor Equipment (ex. gas lawn mower)
• Ink/toner cartridges
• New and used gypsum (drywall, tiles, etc.)
• Tires

Important note:

If you want to drop off an item but it is not listed in the “accepted items” list, please call 604-532-7300 by October 11 for confirmation before attending the event.

Preferred packing order:

Vehicles will pass through up to three (3) stations during the event, depending on what items are being dropped off. Only materials accessible from truck beds and/or vehicle trunks or hatches will be accepted. To improve unloading efficiency, please consider packing items in our preferred order to help reduce wait times:

1. Pack first (unloaded last) – household recyclable products: electronics, small appliances, batteries, lightbulbs, smoke/CO alarms, thermostats
2. Pack middle – household hazardous waste: motor oil, antifreeze, cleaning supplies, acids, pool chemicals, propane tanks,etc.
3. Pack last (will be unloaded first) – Product Care Items: flammable liquids, pesticides, gasoline and diesel in approved container

Household hazardous waste is anything with a warning symbol on the label (such as flammable, corrosive, explosive, or poisonous), as well as anything unidentifiable.

Some of the most common examples include:

• Appliances containing refrigerant (fridges, freezers, etc.)
• Automotive wastes (motor oil, antifreeze, etc.)
• Batteries; aerosols and propane cylinders
• Cleaning agents and caustics
• Electronics (TVs, cell phones, mp3 players, etc.)
• Mercury-containing wastes (switches, fluorescent lighting, thermometers, etc.)
• Paint and solvents
• Radioactive waste

These types of items are not accepted in municipal waste or recycling collection and should never be dumped down drains and sewers, buried, thrown in the garbage, or dumped illegally. Additionally, do not leave these items in your home, garage, or yard, as they can leach into soil and water, or harm people and animals.

It is important to dispose of these items carefully, via participating depots or programs, or at the Household Hazardous Waste Plus Collection Event held in the fall.

Remember, when it comes to household hazardous waste materials, never:

• Pour them down the drain or on the ground
• Dump them into the storm sewer
• Discard them in the garbage
• Bury them

Municipal sewage systems and private septic systems cannot filter or remove these products from our wastewater, which would allow hazardous substances to enter waterways. Burying these items can lead to groundwater contamination.

If your product label contains one of the following warning symbols, or you suspect it to be hazardous, it must be disposed in a safe and responsible manner:

How to dispose of household hazardous waste

Residents are encouraged to visit local drop-off depots for hazardous waste items. Many items can be disposed of year-round and free-of-charge. Instead of waiting for the yearly collection event, check the following resources to find drop-off options most convenient to you:

• Contact the Recycling Council of BC through the Recyclepedia search, phone, text, chat, or email for local drop-off sites.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs provide residents with free and convenient drop-off options for batteries, small appliances, tires, and more, all year long.
• Looking to dispose of motor oil, filters, antifreeze, or their containers? Visit interchangerecycling.com.