The lifetime of the Vancouver Landfill in Delta is being extended until 2050, without increasing the dump’s area or height.
The landfill, which is owned and operated by the City of Vancouver while Metro Vancouver oversees regional solid waste planning and management, was previously expected to close as early as 2030. However, settlement and optimized operations at the facility mean more volume is available within the existing footprint than previously estimated.
“Being able to extend the life of the Vancouver Landfill is a win for the entire region,” Metro Vancouver board chair Mike Hurley said in a press release.
“We are proud that our region has one of the highest recycling rates in North America, and we will continue working hard with our partners at the City of Vancouver and City of Delta, and across the region, to manage waste in a responsible and cost‑effective way.”
The rate of recycling in Metro Vancouver sits at 65 per cent, which leaves about one million tonnes of garbage that needs to be disposed of each year. Of that, about 65 per cent goes to the Vancouver Landfill, 25 per cent to the Waste-to-Energy Facility in Burnaby, and the remainder is transported to remote private landfills.
In a press release, Metro Vancouver says extending the life of the landfill by 20 years will result in more than $300 million in avoided future tipping fees for residents and businesses, as well as new investments in Burns Bog enhancement and conservation.
Plus, since future filling will occur within the facility’s current footprint, Metro Vancouver says there will be no significant additional environmental impacts from extending the life of the dump.
“If the landfill were to close as early as 2030, residents in the region would experience added costs, uncertainty, and the environmental impacts of shipping more waste to remote landfills,” Sarah Kirby-Yung, chair of Metro Vancouver’s zero waste committee, said in a press release.
“We will continue to work toward reducing waste and finding effective, sustainable long-term disposal solutions beyond 2050.”
The release notes an agreement between Metro Vancouver, the City of Vancouver and the City of Delta “recognizes the important role the facility plays by providing a cost-effective solution for managing garbage left over after all efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle.”
The agreement includes $10 million in new Metro Vancouver investments, plus $500,000 per year over the life of the landfill toward Burns Bog enhancement and conservation. Areas no longer used for landfilling will also be available for unspecified “beneficial use.”
“This agreement underscores the value of regional collaboration. For Delta residents, it delivers continued financial contributions to the community along with new opportunities for the responsible and productive use of closed sections of the landfill site as operations continue,” Delta Mayor George Harvie said in a press release.
According to Delta’s 2026 Financial Plan, which was approved by council in December, Delta expects to receive $5,110,000 in landfill royalties this year, an increase of $700,000 over 2025.