Vancouver Landfill to stay open until 2050 under new regional agreement

The landfill, which was once slated to close in 2030 will continue taking the region's trash for at least another two decades.

The Vancouver Landfill in Delta—once slated to close by 2030—will now continue operating for roughly two more decades after Metro Vancouver and its municipal partners approved a new long‑term agreement.

Officials say the extension will keep the region’s garbage disposal system stable until about 2050, all without expanding the landfill’s existing footprint.

The site has served as the region’s primary disposal facility for decades. According to Paul Henderson, the general manager of solid waste services at Metro Vancouver, the extension also means the regional district expects to avoid more than $300 million in future costs for residents and businesses, while securing new investments in Burns Bog conservation.

More capacity than expected

Henderson said the reason the landfill can stay open longer comes down to updated assessments and efficient operations.

“What this agreement does is that it extends the life of the landfill,” he said.

The landfill had been scheduled to close by 2030, but Henderson says the area has more remaining space than previously understood.

“There’s more space than was originally anticipated within that previously agreed area and height, and that’s because of settlement and also good operations at the landfill,” he said.

Had the site closed as planned, Henderson explained, garbage would have had to be shipped to distant landfills, a move he says would have burdened taxpayers.

“The benefit to the businesses and residents of the region is avoiding future increases and tipping fees that we’ve estimated to be in excess of $300 million,” he said.

The facility is located in Delta but is owned by the City of Vancouver. The new deal between Vancouver, Delta and Metro Vancouver formally recognizes the landfill as a cost‑effective way to manage garbage that cannot be reduced, reused or recycled.

Delta Mayor George Harvie says he’s satisfied with the agreement.

“I’m very pleased that we come to a conclusion,” he said, noting the landfill remains an important revenue source for the city.

“We have $ 5.1 million this year from the Vancouver Landfill.”

The agreement also includes new environmental commitments: Metro Vancouver will provide $10 million, plus $500,000 annually, toward Burns Bog enhancement and conservation.

CTV News asked the City of Vancouver about environmental impacts associated with keeping the landfill open longer. The city said in a statement that the facility “operates under environmental protection programs that meet or exceed regulatory requirements.”

“Since future filling will be within the landfill’s current footprint, there will be minimal additional environmental impacts from extending the life of the landfill,” the city said.

Zero Waste British Columbia told CTV News while there are always environmental concerns when it comes to landfills, “the environmental and human health impacts are lower for a landfill than they are for incineration” of trash.

“That’s where we really want to support using an existing landfill as long as possible,” said Sue Maxwell of Zero Waste B.C.

She adds the extension gives Metro Vancouver space—and time—to make deeper reductions in waste overall.

“It gives Metro Vancouver the opportunity and the time to actually focus on waste reduction and make that landfill last as long as possible rather than having to build new infrastructure,” Maxwell said.