The generator levy is currently $64 per metric tonne (as of 2024, Tipping Fee Bylaw). The levy applies to garbage generated within the
Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District (GVS&DD), regardless of where it is taken for disposal. The GVS&DD includes most municipalities within the Metro Vancouver region (see list of municipalities below).
How haulers pay the generator levy depends on whether or not they bring their garbage to a regional solid waste facility (Metro Vancouver or City of Vancouver facility – see list below). For garbage disposed of at a regional solid waste facility, the generator levy is included in the tipping fee. For garbage delivered to any other facility, haulers must pay the generator levy to the GVS&DD.
Reason for generator levy
Every person who generates municipal solid waste (garbage) within the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District (GVS&DD) must pay a generator levy to help fund the regional solid waste system. This system provides reliable and resilient waste and recycling services that benefit and are available to all residents and businesses who generate waste in the region.
Greater Vancouver Sewerage & Drainage District (GVS&DD)
The Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District (GVS&DD) provides region-wide services to manage wastewater and solid waste. It is one of the four corporate entities that make up Metro Vancouver.
These areas are part of the GVS&DD:
- Anmore
- Burnaby
- Coquitlam
- Delta
- Electoral Area A
- Langley City
- Langley Township
- Maple Ridge
- New Westminster
- North Vancouver City
- North Vancouver District
- Pitt Meadows
- Port Coquitlam
- Port Moody
- Richmond
- Surrey
- Vancouver
- West Vancouver
- White Rock
Regional solid waste facilities (Metro Vancouver or City of Vancouver)
The generator levy is included in the tipping fee that customers pay when they bring garbage to the regional solid waste facilities listed below.
When to apply the generator levy
The generator levy applies to all garbage generated within the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District (GVS&DD). The generator levy is part of the tipping fee for any garbage disposed of at regional solid waste facilities (Metro Vancouver or City of Vancouver facilities).
The generator levy does not apply to loads that contain only these materials:
- Construction and demolition waste
- Industrial waste
- Source-separated recyclables, including organics
- Agricultural waste
- Residential and commercial/institutional garbage generated outside of the GVS&DD
How to pay the generator levy
Garbage delivered to a regional facility (Metro Vancouver or City of Vancouver facility) - The generator levy is already included in the tipping fee. If a hauler delivers garbage to a facility that is not a regional facility, the hauler is required to pay the generator levy to the GVS&DD, in addition to any fees charged by the facility operator.