Waste cans waiting for pick up in Chilliwack. (Image Credit: Pattison Media)

By Fraser Valley Today staff

City Council

Chilliwack to consider increased fees and rule adjustments in new solid-waste bylaw

Mar 17, 2026 | 4:00 AM

CHILLIWACK — When members of Chilliwack city council meet this afternoon (Tuesday), they will consider a new solid-waste management bylaw that would increase user fees, update collection rules, and introduce new recycling options to reflect changes coming to Chilliwack’s curbside program.

A city staff report recommends the acceptance of a new Solid Waste Management Bylaw to support a revised curbside collection contract that will go into effect in May.

In the report, staff writes that the changes are needed to match a new automated cart-based collection system that will handle garbage, recycling and compostable waste.

Under the proposed bylaw, residents will use standardized carts for garbage and mixed recycling, with sizes ranging from 120 to 360 litres, while the existing green cart program for compostable waste will continue. Flexible plastics such as bags and wrappers would also be collected at the curb in a new pink bin beginning in June.

The update also changes collection frequency for some materials. Mixed recycling would change from weekly pickups to every two weeks. Glass products would be picked up monthly instead of biweekly.  When the service for flexible plastics begins in June, pickup will be monthly. Garbage would continue to be picked up on a biweekly schedule and compostable waste would continue to be collected weekly.

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City Council

Chilliwack to consider increased fees and rule adjustments in new solid-waste bylaw

3h ago

The bylaw will also include requirements for wildlife-resistant carts in designated areas, shared carts for some multi-unit properties, rules for container placement, and assisted set-out service for residents with mobility challenges. The proposal would also eliminate the need for yard-waste tags because the program allows extra bags or bundles to be set out each week.

City staff says fee increases tied to the new program are intended to keep the service financially self-sustaining. Monthly curbside collection charges would range from about $27.00 to $34.80 depending on cart size, compared with current rates of roughly $26 to $28.81. The cost of extra garbage “tag-a-bag” stickers would rise from $2 to $4, and landfill and green-depot fees would also increase slightly.

If approved, the new bylaw would take effect by May 1, when the new curbside collection program goes into effect.