Recycling in the Community

Did you know Canadians generate 709kgs (1,563lbs) of waste per capita each year? Across Canada, that’s equivalent to 277,119 whales! Excess waste leads to many environmental problems, including habitat destruction, air and water pollution, and global warming. But don’t worry, there is a lot you can do to reduce waste.

The Township of Langley offers a wide variety of programs to help our community use the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Reduce

Red Dot campaign

Is your mailbox filled to the brim with junk mail? Are you tired of endless coupons, fliers, and catalogues that end up in the recycling bin? All you have to do is place a Red Dot sticker on or inside your mailbox. The Red Dot indicates you no longer wish to receive junk mail. You’ll still receive subscription mail and newspapers, but mail carriers will not deliver any unaddressed mail. Ready to dump the junk? Let us know and we’ll send you a Red Dot Sticker for your mailbox.

Food waste

We throw away more food than we think. Every year, the average Canadian home throws away 154kgs (340lbs) of food… that’s one in four grocery items! Food wasted from the home is expensive, and when sent to the landfill, is buried. In turn, this produces methane gas and contributes to climate change. The Love Food Hate Waste campaign has some resources to help you track your household and business food consumption patterns and identify ways to reduce waste.

Reuse

Township-wide garage sale

This one day event offers residents the chance to clean out the house with a coordinated garage sale. Meet your neighbours, make some cash and do your part for the environment!

Recycle

Recycling in public spaces

The Public Spaces Waste Management program helps to divert waste from landfills by installing multi-stream waste receptacles in select Township parks, trails, and other public areas. These bins provide opportunities to recycle, compost and dispose of dog waste.

Residential recycling program

The Township encourages all residents to recycle and offers recycling pick-up to all residential properties.

Green cart program

Did you know approximately 40% of what goes into the garbage can be composted? The Township's Green Cart program is the easiest and most convenient way to recycle your food scraps, soiled paper and yard trimmings while helping the environment at the same time. This program is available to residential properties that receive municipal garbage collection.

Backyard composting

Backyard composting is a fantastic way to reduce garbage while creating free, nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Township residents can purchase composters for $25 (a subsidized price) available at the Civic Facility and Operations Centre.

Household hazardous waste

Improper disposal of hazardous waste (such as paint, electronics and batteries) can seriously harm wildlife and poison our water supply. To ensure hazardous materials are disposed of properly, visit the Recycling Council of BC’s Recyclepedia, or call the recycling hotline at 604-RECYCLE. Residents may also safely dispose of household hazardous waste materials at the annual HHW Plus Event each October.

Get involved

Recycling Ambassador program

Do you live in an apartment, condominium, or townhouse and want to help reduce waste? Recycling Ambassadors help their neighbours learn more about recycling and improve sorting in their complex. 

Adopt-a-Program

The Township of Langley wants to keep the community beautiful, and you can help! Adopt-a-Program is simple. You clean the litter, and the Township provides cleaning supplies, safety information and garbage removal. Long-term adoptions may also receive a recognition sign. Individuals, groups, businesses, or schools can adopt a creek, park, street, or trail. Sign up today or look out for the Township’s Annual Clean Up Langley Day in the spring to try pitching-in!