Quick answer
The City of Surrey says to store carts in a cool, shaded, ventilated area, keep the lid closed, rinse containers before recycling them, and wash carts periodically with mild soap or a vinegar-water solution. For the green organics cart, wrap or layer food scraps in newspaper or paper, freeze meat scraps in a paper bag until collection day, and sprinkle baking soda. Plastic and compostable bags are not allowed in Surrey's carts. Surrey will not replace a cart because it is dirty, so cleaning is up to you.
Smelly bins, flies and animals getting into the garbage are the most common cart problems. This guide pulls together what the City of Surrey, Metro Vancouver and WildSafeBC say about keeping carts clean. It is limited to advice from those official pages. For what goes in each cart, see our Surrey bin guide.
Start with the cart's location
- Store carts in a cool, shaded, ventilated area. This is the City's wording. Heat makes odours worse, and Metro Vancouver's green bin tips also say to store the bin in a shady spot.
- Keep the lid closed. The City says this for all carts, and Metro Vancouver says to keep a lid on it and to keep the lid down so animals cannot climb into the bin.
- Keep the green bin away from fences. Metro Vancouver says to position the bin away from fences so animals cannot use them to climb in.
Keep the organics (green) cart fresh
The City of Surrey's tips for organics are:
- Wrap and layer food scraps in newspaper, paper bags, paper towel or cereal boxes.
- Freeze meat scraps in a paper bag until collection day.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the scraps.
Metro Vancouver's guide to keeping the green bin clean adds the following. It says its tips are meant to prevent odours, avoid spills and avoid attracting bugs or wildlife:
- Line the bin with newsprint or a paper bag. Yard trimmings can be used as an absorbent layer at the bottom.
- Keep scraps cold. Storing scraps in the fridge or freezer prevents odours and keeps bugs at bay.
- Wrap greasy or wet scraps, fish, meat and bones in newsprint to keep flies from being attracted.
Do not line the bin with plastic in Surrey. Metro Vancouver's regional page says a plastic or compostable liner is allowed in some municipalities. Surrey says no plastic bags or compostable bags are accepted in its carts. Use paper.
The kitchen catcher
The small countertop bin for food scraps is called a kitchen catcher. The City's advice is to:
- Line the bottom with newspaper, cardboard or a brown paper bag.
- Keep the lid closed.
- Empty it weekly, even if it is not full.
- Wash it with mild soap or a vinegar-water solution.
- Do not use plastic or compostable bags.
Surrey says free kitchen catchers can be picked up at 14577 66 Ave, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm. Check the City's carts page for current details before you go.
How to wash a cart
The City says to wash carts periodically with mild soap or a vinegar-water solution, and to pour the soapy water onto grass or gravel, not down outside drains. Metro Vancouver says lemon juice, white vinegar, or baking soda and water are effective natural cleansers, and recommends rinsing and cleaning the kitchen catcher and green bin regularly. Metro Vancouver also points to the Recycling Council of BC (604-732-9253) for a list of commercial bin-cleaning services.
The City is clear that cleaning is the homeowner's job: it says it will not replace carts because they are dirty.
Recycling cart: rinse first
Surrey says to empty and rinse containers before placing them in the cart to prevent odours. The City's 2026 guide says the same, and adds that materials should be loose in the cart with no bags.
Flies and bugs
The sources above all lead to the same few habits: keep the lid closed, wrap wet or greasy scraps, keep scraps cold until collection day, and clean the bin regularly. We did not find official Surrey or Metro Vancouver advice specifically about maggots, so we have not added any.
Animals and wildlife
WildSafeBC, the province's wildlife conflict program, says:
- Keep all garbage securely stored until the day of collection.
- Make sure bins are tightly closed.
- Regularly wash all recycling items and clean the bins.
- If you cannot store garbage securely, freeze smelly items and add them to the bin only on the morning of collection.
- Feed pets indoors, or take in any pet food that is not eaten right away.
Metro Vancouver adds that the green bin should be secured from wildlife such as bears. We did not find Surrey guidance specific to rats. If you have rats, see our rats in Surrey guide.
Collection day: where to put the cart
These rules come from the City's missed collection page, and they help avoid a cart being skipped:
- Put carts out before 7:30am. Collection runs 7:30am to 7:30pm, and trucks will not come back for carts put out late.
- Leave at least 1 metre (3 feet) of space between the cart and any other object, including fences, trees, hydrants and other carts, and 1.5 metres (5 feet) from parked vehicles. Allow 3 metres (10 feet) of clearance above. The City's schedule page words the vehicle spacing more loosely, so use the larger figure.
- Face the cart's opening toward the street, with the handle toward your property and the wheels against the curb edge.
- The lid must close completely. Overflowing carts are not collected, and compacted or jammed carts may be left behind, so place materials loosely.
- Bring the cart in after it has been collected.
Damaged, missing or the wrong size
Order a replacement or exchange by phone at 604-590-7289 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, except statutory holidays). The City lists a $20 charge for an exchange or damaged-cart replacement and a $28 delivery fee, and delivery within one to five business days. Have your cart size (on the lid) and the six-digit serial number (on the front of the cart) ready. Only one order per year is allowed, so combine requests. Fees can change, so check the City's carts page.
If a collection was missed, report it the next business day. The City says reports made on collection day, or after one business day, will not be reviewed, and that carts should stay at the curb after you report. See our Surrey garbage schedule guide for the full process.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wash my garbage cart in Surrey?
The City says to wash carts periodically with mild soap or a vinegar-water solution but does not give a set schedule. Rinsing recyclables and emptying the kitchen catcher weekly cut down the odour in between.
What can I use to clean a green bin?
The City suggests mild soap or a vinegar-water solution. Metro Vancouver says lemon juice, white vinegar, or baking soda and water are effective natural cleansers.
Can I put a plastic bag in my green cart to keep it clean?
Not in Surrey. The City says plastic bags and compostable or biodegradable bags are not accepted in the organics cart. Line it with newspaper or a paper bag.
How do I stop my compost bin smelling?
Wrap wet or greasy scraps in newspaper, freeze meat scraps in a paper bag until collection day, sprinkle baking soda, keep the lid closed and keep the cart in the shade, according to Surrey and Metro Vancouver.
How do I keep raccoons or bears out of my bins?
WildSafeBC says to keep garbage securely stored until collection day, keep bins tightly closed, clean them regularly, and freeze smelly items until the morning of collection. Metro Vancouver also says to keep the green bin away from fences.
Will Surrey replace a dirty cart?
No. The City says it will not replace carts because they are dirty. It does replace damaged carts for a fee.
Official sources
- City of Surrey: Waste collection carts
- City of Surrey: Missed collection
- City of Surrey: Sorting Guide and Collection Calendar 2026 (PDF)
- Metro Vancouver: Keep your green bin clean
- WildSafeBC: Raccoons
General information only, not professional advice. Rules and prices change, so check the official sources above before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.