How B.C.’s 2 biggest cities are trying to curb illegal dumping

Illegal dumping is a significant issue that plagues many cities, including Surrey and Vancouver. From construction and demolition waste to old mattresses and furniture, officials are urging residents to dispose of their waste properly rather than dumping it in green spaces, ditches, or other inappropriate areas.

Harry Janda, the City of Surrey’s solid waste manager, emphasized the negative impact of illegal dumping on the environment, the unsightly appearance it creates within municipalities, and the financial costs associated with cleaning up these messes. In an effort to combat this ongoing problem, Surrey and Vancouver are implementing various strategies to reduce illegal dumping through education and special waste disposal events. Surrey even utilizes surveillance cameras to aid in enforcement and issue fines to offenders.

Michelle Harris, associate director for Solid Waste Services at the City of Vancouver, highlighted the severity of the issue in Vancouver, stating that the city receives approximately 18,000 service requests annually to clean up illegally dumped items, costing up to $3 million. In a recent cleanup effort from April to September, Surrey tackled 3,108 illegal dumping sites.

To encourage responsible waste disposal practices, both cities are investing in free waste diversion events to educate residents on the importance of proper waste disposal. Surrey has been hosting these events, allowing residents to drop off items such as mattresses, green waste, drywall, and furniture at no cost. Additionally, Surrey offers a large item pickup program where city workers will collect up to six items per year from residents’ homes.

Despite these efforts, illegal dumping continues to be a persistent issue. Janda and Harris noted that individuals may resort to illegal dumping due to a lack of knowledge on proper disposal methods or to avoid fees at landfills. Both cities enforce penalties for illegal dumping, including fines of up to $10,000. Surrey has implemented surveillance cameras since 2019 to capture evidence of illegal dumpers, resulting in the issuance of 40 tickets worth $1,000 each over the past five years.

Residents are encouraged to report any instances of illegal dumping they witness to help combat this problem. By working together and promoting responsible waste disposal practices, Surrey and Vancouver aim to create cleaner, more sustainable communities for all residents to enjoy.