City of Surrey sees decrease in illegal dumping

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For many cities in the Lower Mainland, illegal dumping is on the rise, but that’s not the case for the City of Surrey. 

Harry Janda, contracts and solid waste manager for the City of Surrey, says that so far this year, there has been a 13 per cent decrease in illegal dumping in the city compared to last year. 

The City of Surrey cleaned up 1,217 dumped items and 682 bags of litter over an 11-day summer clean-up blitz in August, bringing the total collected garbage bags to 2,627. The program launched in 2023 and aims to build community pride by keeping the city clean. 

Illegally dumped waste comes from both individuals and companies, Janda says. 

“It’s coming from construction or renovation companies that find secluded areas of the city, dead ends and dark roadways, and dump a larger pile of garbage. But then there’s also residents that are simply taking this material and leaving it at the side of the road, … like a couch or mattress.” 

The City of Surrey’s efforts to combat illegal dumping through programs like the summer clean-up blitz and waste drop-off events have contributed to the decrease in illegal dumping, Janda says.   

The waste drop-off program from May 1 to Sept. 25 allowed residents to drop off up to 100 kilograms of waste for free. The program was limited to one trip per household, but the city also offers year-round free curbside pickup for large items. 

Households that receive garbage collection from the city are eligible to have up to six large items picked up per year, homes with an ensuite are eligible for eight items per year, and those living in apartments are eligible for four. 

“We also have two very good facilities [in Surrey],” Janda says. “We’ve got two recycling and waste centres where the public can drop off their garbage, and that can be anything from furniture and appliances to wood waste, mattresses, paints, and scrap metal. These facilities are available year round.” 

The City of Surrey will also follow up on cases where there is enough evidence to charge individuals for illegally dumping their waste. 

“It’s recommended that [witnesses] provide us with as much information as they can,” Janda says. 

“Where did it happen, the time it happened, what type of vehicle was there, possibly the license plate as well, and any other pertinent information that we can use to track the culprits down. It’ll just provide us with that much more evidence to go after these individuals.” 

For more information about waste collection in Surrey, visit www.surrey.ca/services-payments/waste-collection.