The Vancouver Landfill in Delta, B.C. will remain open until 2050, extending its lifespan by two decades after city officials determined there is more available space than previously estimated.
The landfill, which opened in 1966, was originally scheduled to close in 2030. However, Metro Vancouver officials say natural ground settlement over time has created additional capacity, allowing the region to continue using the site for another 20 years.
According to Paul Henderson, with Metro Vancouver’s Solid Waste Services, the extended lifespan is expected to save residents and businesses an estimated $300 million in future waste disposal costs.
“This additional time gives the region significant financial relief and flexibility in planning for long-term waste management,” Henderson said.
The landfill serves as a critical waste disposal site for Metro Vancouver, and its continued operation delays the need to transport garbage to more distant locations — a move that would have significantly increased costs and emissions.
While the extension provides temporary certainty, questions remain about what will happen after 2050. Henderson said future options could include shipping waste to British Columbia’s Interior or potentially to the United States, though no decisions have been made.
Metro Vancouver has emphasized that the extension does not reduce the importance of waste reduction, recycling, and diversion programs, which remain central to the region’s long-term environmental strategy.
