The resilience of the regional solid waste system was highlighted during the November flood emergency.
The regional solid waste system received about 20 per cent more garbage than usual during and shortly after the flood including waste from adjacent regional districts with solid waste systems impacted by the flooding.
All Metro Vancouver solid waste facilities remained fully operational, with the exception of the Coquitlam Recycling and Waste Centre which was closed for the day due to localized flooding at the beginning of the flooding event. The Langley Recycling and Waste Centre also had localized flooding resulting in the closure of the green waste area for the day.
Metro Vancouver temporarily relaxed a number of disposal bans for organics, mattresses, and other recyclable materials due to impacts on material transportation, collection, and processing systems both within and outside of the region. Disposal bans on operational impact and potentially hazardous materials were maintained to ensure worker health and safety and protection of the environment. Disposal bans have since been reinstated.
