Skip to Content
  • News
  • Events
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
MyTownship

Township of Langley Logo Township of Langley Logo

Contact Us
  • Services
    View all
    • Animals and Pest Control
    • Business
    • Bylaw Services
    • Emergency Services and Safety
    • Garbage, Recycling and Green Cart
    • Online Services
    • Property Taxes
    • Report a Problem
    • Sustainability
    • Transportation and Roads
    • Water
    Report a Problem
    Report a ProblemHow can we help?
  • Parks &
    Recreation
    View all
    • Activities and Programs
    • Facilities and Arenas
    • Get Involved
    • Parks, Trails and Amenities
    • Recreation Registration
    Recreation Registration
    Recreation RegistrationDiscover our programs and activities for all ages.
  • Arts &
    Culture
    View all
    • Community Events
    • Grants and Incentives
    • Learning, Classes and Programs
    • Libraries
    • Museum and Heritage
    • Public Art
    • Ask a Question
    salishan Place by the River
    salishan Place by the RiverExplore Fort Langley’s new facility.
  • Building &
    Development
    View all
    • Building
    • Capital Projects
    • Development
    • Engineering Forms and Guides
    • Environment
    • Trans Mountain Expansion Project
    Development information
    Development informationAccess guides, policies, bylaws, forms, and other information.
  • Connect
    View all
    • Ask a Question
    • Contact Us
    • Freedom of Information and Data Use
    • Get Involved
    • Locations, Maps and Data
    • News, Events and Media
    • Report a Problem
    • Stay Connected
    • Accessibility
    Careers
    CareersExplore our employment opportunities.
  • The Township
    View all
    • About the Township
    • Economic Investment and Development
    • Elections
    • Grants and Incentives
    • Mayor and Council
    • Notice of Claim
    • Plans, Reports, and Strategies
    • Social Sustainability
    • Township Divisions
    • YNJ Langley Airport
    Public Engagement
    Public EngagementLearn about and engage with us on a variety of topics.

Home...SustainabilityRecycling in the CommunityPublic Spaces Waste Management Program
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Public Spaces Waste Management Program

To help divert more waste from landfills and provide opportunities to recycle, compost, and dispose of dog waste in public spaces, the Township developed the Public Spaces Waste Management program. The program installs multi-stream waste receptacles in select Township parks, trails, and other public areas. The bins provide consistency between the municipal curbside collection program and bins found in Township facilities.

Metro Vancouver, the organization that manages transfer stations in our region, prohibits recyclable materials, food scraps and large amounts of pet waste from landfills. In order to comply with these restrictions and keep public spaces clean and safe, these multi-stream receptacles encourage responsible disposal of garbage, recycling, pet waste and organics while residents are out and about.

Diverting this waste from the landfill also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improves safety for waste facility staff, ensures that containers are recycled and given a second life and food scraps are turned into compost.

If you see one of the bins, help us become a more sustainable community by sorting your waste. Not sure where something belongs? Try our What Goes Where tool or visit Recycling Resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

 What happens to the waste disposed of in the new dog waste bins?

Dog waste collected from Public Spaces bins is separated from bags before being processed at a wastewater treatment plant. At the plant, the waste is treated until clean water, biosolids (used in fertilizer) and methane gas are produced. The methane is captured and used to run the facility.

“Recycling” your pet waste is better for our waterways, human health and helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 Why can’t dog waste go in the trash?
While small amounts of dog waste can be disposed of as garbage, provided it is double-bagged and tied with the air removed, Metro Vancouver bans larger amounts from the landfill.

Dog waste must be treated separately from other streams of waste because it:

  • Poses a health hazard to workers who may handle it unknowingly
  • Doesn’t break down properly and takes up extra space when disposed of in a landfill
  • Produces methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide
  • Acts as a fertilizer and promotes algal blooms which lowers oxygen availability and can harm fish when washed, untreated, into waterways

Audits of existing Township parks and street-side garbage bins showed that 40-55% of the material collected in public spaces is dog waste. Across the whole Township, that adds up to a lot of waste! To avoid fines from Metro Vancouver, as well as do our part to improve worker safety and reduce our impact on the environment, the Township has included a pet waste collection stream on many of the new multi-stream receptacles. Additionally, Metro Vancouver is rolling out public dog waste bins in regional parks and many other neighbouring municipalities are developing their own programs to solve this issue.

 What can I do with my dog’s waste at home or in areas where there aren’t designated pet waste bins?

Small amounts of dog waste can be disposed of as household garbage provided it is double-bagged and tied with the air removed. For larger amounts, pet waste (without bags) can be flushed down the toilet or composted in your backyard. (Note: the composter should be placed well away from any vegetable garden or waterway, and resulting compost should only be used on shrubs and never near plants intended for eating).

Pet owners can hire collection companies to collect waste from their home or strata complex. To find pet-waste collection companies in your neighbourhood, try searching the internet or asking neighbours. For more ideas about what to do with pet waste at home, visit Metro Vancouver’s What To Do With Dog Waste.

 Where can I find the new bins?
During the pilot project in May 2017, the Township installed 44 multi-stream bins in Walnut Grove. The first expansion phase is scheduled to roll out in mid-2019 and begins with 38 bins installed in Noel Booth Park, the new Yorkson Community Park and additional locations in Walnut Grove. Phase 3 will see expansion to McLeod Athletic Park, Aldergrove Athletic Park and Willoughby Community Park in winter 2019.
 Will there be bins installed in my neighbourhood soon?
Plans for future expansion are in the works. Funding dependant, the program will expand to the rest of the Township over the next few years and see receptacles installed in parks, trails and along busy streets in every community.
 What do the bins look like?
 

Three different types of bins will be available, depending on location:

3 section bin3 section bin4 section bin
3-stream dog waste, garbage and recycling bins will be installed along trails, streets and in dog parks.Garbage, compost and recycling bins will be installed in areas where food is being consumed or dogs are not allowed, such as playing fields, spray parks, picnic shelters and near concession stands.4-stream dog waste, garbage, recycling and compost will be installed in locations where all types of waste are equally likely.
 
 Will the public be consulted about the new receptacles?
While on-site surveying of the public was conducted during the pilot project and helped determine future plans, feedback is always welcome. As we implement new receptacles, we will work with local business associations and continue to gather feedback from the public as they use the new bins.
 How did this program come to be?
In 2015, Township Council approved a Litter and Illegal Waste Management Strategy. The strategy has a three-pillar approach focused on Education, Enforcement and Infrastructure. Infrastructure, such as waste receptacles, is critical to the Litter and Illegal Waste Management Strategy due to projected growth in the Township and the increased use of public spaces.

Currently, there are over 700 garbage receptacles throughout parks and roadways in the Township. Until the pilot project, there were no options for organics diversion or paper and containers recycling, only limited options for refundable beverage container recycling in public spaces.

In 2017, the Township conducted a Public Spaces program pilot project of new multi-stream receptacles in the Walnut Grove community. The pilot project was in effect until September 2017, when waste characterization studies, visual audits and public and staff feedback were compiled in order to evaluate and gauge the effectiveness of, and response to, the pilot program.

A report on the pilot project identified the program as overwhelmingly positive and successful: both staff and the public appreciated the design of the bins and the opportunity to dispose of materials correctly, especially pet waste. Sorting accuracy by the public was found to be acceptable, and in the fall of 2017, Council permitted expansion of the pilot, supporting the vision to rollout the bins across the Township.

Beginning winter 2018, the Township will implement 38 additional receptacles in Yorkson Park, Noel Booth Park and in additional locations across Walnut Grove. This will ensure efficient handling of waste and providing easy-to-use recycling and organics collection opportunities to public users in parks, trails and on roadways.

For these new receptacles, diversion efforts and opportunities will continue to be key: the Township will add receptacles with compost bins near concession stands and in areas where people are eating or playing to encourage proper disposal of food scraps.

Similarly, as dog waste was diverted from other streams with almost perfect accuracy during the pilot project, many Public Space receptacles will continue to manage pet waste effectively by offering dedicated dog waste bins.

While multi-stream Public Spaces bins can collect a variety of common waste items, only waste generated by active users of parks, trails and roadways is accepted in the receptacles. For residents seeking information on how to best sort waste at home, and details on the municipal cart and recycling program, visit Recycling Resources.

This rollout of new Public Spaces bins brings the Township closer to its diversion commitment of 80% by 2020, and fosters a greener, more sustainable community for all to enjoy.

Encouraging responsible park use

Receptacles with designated dog waste streams help keep our parks clean and enjoyable for all. As part of the Public Spaces Regulation Bylaw 2018 No. 5298, pet owners are reminded: 

  • Dogs are not permitted on sports fields at any time. However, dogs are welcome in all Township of Langley parks providing they are on a leash. Designated dog off-leash areas can be found at Bertrand Creek Dog Park, the Walnut Grove Off-Leash Park, Noel Booth Community Park, Old Yale Park, Routley Park and Yorkson Community Park.
  • Owners are responsible for their dog’s actions, and dogs must be under control at all times. Owners must clean up after their dogs immediately and dispose of the waste in designated dog waste bins, or bagged and put in the garbage.

Learn more about responsible use of public spaces. 

  • Sustainability
    • Agriculture
    • Business Sustainability
    • Climate Action
      • Climate Action Projects
        • Builder Forum Series
        • Community Forest Management Strategy
        • EV Charger Expansion
        • EV Outreach Videos
        • LED Streetlights
        • Portable water station and misting tent
        • Sustainability Grant Pilot Program
      • Climate Change 101
      • Investing in Climate Action
    • Corporate Sustainability
      • Responsible Program
    • Education and Outreach
      • Neighbourhood Nature
    • Gardens
      • Garden Smart
      • Langley Demonstration Garden
      • Rain Gardens
    • Green Buildings and Step Code
    • Natural Areas
      • Invasive Species
    • Recycling in the Community
      • Public Spaces Waste Management Program
      • Red Dot Campaign
      • Township-wide Garage Sale
    • Transportation: Electric Vehicles
    • Water Wise
  • View full Services Menu
    • Animals and Pest Control
      • Audible Bird Scare Devices
      • Dog Licences
      • Mosquito Control
      • Rodent Control
    • Business
      • Business Licences
        • Applying for a Business Licence
        • Business Licence Directory
        • Fraser Valley Inter-municipal Business Licence
        • Seasonal Food Truck Business Licence Requirements
      • Business with the Township
        • Property Disposition
        • Procurement Forms and Links
      • Economic Investment and Development
      • Film Production
    • Bylaw Services
      • Bylaws
      • Disputes and Adjudications
      • Parking Regulations
        • Automated Licence Plate Reader (ALPR)
      • Pay a Bylaw Notice
      • Property Use Regulations
      • Report a Complaint
      • Report a Fireworks Use Complaint
    • Emergency Services and Safety
      • COVID-19
        • Business Info and Links
        • Community Info and Links
        • Facility Status
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Health Info and Links
        • Mayor's Messages
        • Media Releases
        • Protecting Yourself
        • Recreation Facilities Status
      • Fire
        • Accreditation
        • Administration and History
        • Emergency Management
          • Keep Cool in Langley
        • Fire Halls
        • Paid-call Firefighters Opportunities
        • Public Safety and Community Risk
          • 2022 Fire Safety Initiatives
          • Business Licence Fire Inspections
          • Fire Safety Tips
          • Fireworks
          • Incidental Outdoor Burning Permits
          • Outdoor Cooking
          • Public Safety and Community Risk Programs and Events
      • RCMP
        • Police Offices
    • Garbage, Recycling and Green Cart
      • Cart Collection Program
        • Apartment
        • Garbage Cart
        • Green Cart
        • Single Family Home
          • Cart Sizes and Rates - Single Family Home
        • Submit a Cart Request
        • Townhome
          • Cart Sizes and Rates - Townhome
      • Collection Calendars
      • Garbage
        • Extra Garbage Stickers
        • Illegal Dumping
        • Private Collection Services
        • Waste Services for Rural Properties
      • Green Cart and Compost
        • Backyard Composting
        • Multi-Family Composting Programs
      • Household Hazardous Waste
      • Large Item Pick Up
      • Recycling
        • Centralized Collection
        • Curbside Collection
        • Recycling Ambassador Program
        • Recycling Container
        • Recycling Program Frequently Asked Questions
        • Recycling Resources
      • Take It Back
    • Online Services
      • MyTownship
    • Property Taxes
      • Changing Your Address Information
      • Home Owner Grant
      • Payment Methods
      • Permissive Tax Exemption
      • Property Assessment
      • Property Inquiry System
      • Property Tax Deferment Program
      • Property Tax Rates
      • Tax Sale
    • Report a Problem
      • Ask Us a Question
      • Community Cleanliness
        • Garbage, Recycling, Green Cart Request
        • Graffiti or Vandalism on Public Property Request
        • Illegal Garbage Dumped Request
        • Illegal Soil Dumping or Soil Removal Request
        • Street Sweeping Request
        • Weeds and Over-Grown Vegetation Request
      • General Bylaw Inquiry
      • Parking Issue Request
      • Parks, Trails, and Trees
        • Parks Request
        • Trails Request
        • Trees Request
      • Roads and Transportation
        • Pothole Issue Request
        • Road Safety Request
        • Snow and Ice Control Request
        • Street Lights Request
        • Street Sweeping Request
        • Weeds and Over-Grown Vegetation Request
      • Sanitary Sewer Request
      • Unauthorized Secondary Suite
      • Water and Drainage Systems
        • Drainage Request
        • Water Exemption Permit Application
        • Water Quality Request
    • Transportation and Roads
      • Parking Regulations
      • Snow and Ice
        • Seniors' Winter Guide
      • Traffic Cameras
      • Traffic Impacts
      • Transportation
        • Cycling Routes
        • Electric Vehicles
    • Water
      • Connecting to the Municipal Water Supply
        • Integrated Stormwater Management Plans
      • Creeks and Streams
      • Flooding
      • Private Well Network
      • Provincial Advisory for Control of Flowing Wells in the Township
      • Provincial Licencing Requirements for Groundwater Users
      • Water Emergency Plan
      • Water Quality
      • Water Restrictions
        • Can I Water Today?
      • Water Wise
Subscribe to page updates

Township of Langley footer logo

Civic Facility
20338 - 65 Avenue
Langley, BC V2Y 3J1

Phone: 604-534-3211

Contact Us

  • Resources

    • Careers
    • Maps & GeoSource
    • Media Inquiries
    • MyTownship Account
    • Online Services
    • Open Data Portal
    • Traffic Impacts
  • Our Websites

    • Township of Langley
    • salishan Place - Arts, Culture & Heritage Ctr
    • Economic Development
    • Langley Airport (YNJ)
    • Tourism Langley

Connect with us

  • View our Facebook Page
  • View our Instagram Page
  • View our Twitter Page
  • View our YouTube Page
  • View our LinkedIn Page

Subscribe to Newsletter

Copyright © 2022 Township of Langley

  • Accessibility
  • Privacy & Freedom of Information
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Website Feedback

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.