The City of Coquitlam is reminding residents not to dispose of hazardous waste in curbside garbage, green, or recycling bins after several recent incidents involving dangerous materials. These items can cause fires, injuries, and equipment damage when collected by waste crews, according to a news release by the city.
In one case, used motor oil was dumped into a garbage cart. When the collection truck compacted the waste, the oil splashed onto the engine, creating smoke and a fire risk. City staff said improper disposal like this endangers workers and residents and can lead to costly repairs.
According to the city, hazardous materials such as batteries, propane tanks, engine oil, flammable automotive fluids, electronics, and other toxic substances are not accepted in curbside collection. These items must be dropped off at designated facilities equipped to handle them safely.
“Putting hazardous materials in the wrong bin can have serious consequences,” the news release said. “We want to remind everyone to take a few extra minutes to dispose of these items properly to protect our community and environment.”
Residents who ignore the rules can face fines of up to $500 under Coquitlam’s Solid Waste Management Bylaw. The city encourages people to use its Waste Wizard tool, available on the Coquitlam website, to find nearby drop-off locations for specific items.
Accepted drop-off sites include the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre, as well as several Return-It Depots across Coquitlam. These facilities accept hazardous materials such as used oil, paint, and electronics at no cost.
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