Vancouver’s waste management gives World Cup fans passing grade
Posted June 16, 2026 7:41 pm.
Last Updated June 16, 2026 7:42 pm.
The City of Vancouver says that cleaning crews were out in full force on Saturday and Sunday, sweeping the streets and cleaning up after the city hosted its first of seven FIFA World Cup matches.
Despite piles of garbage around the FIFA Fan Festival at the PNE and other hot spots, Vancouver’s waste management says that crowd behaviour has been positive.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!“On the routes towards the stadium as an example, we are not seeing people littering on the ground. I think people are really respectful and carrying their waste to that next receptacle,” said Jonathan McDermott, director at Vancouver’s Solid Waste Management department.
“We do have a lot out there. So, it’s not like you need to hang on to it for a long time.”
1130 NewsRadio has obtained video footage of piles of trash, including crushed beer cans on the ground of the PNE’s amphitheatre and tables overflowing with cans even before Saturday’s game between Australia and Türkiye started.
In a statement, City Hall says that waste can accumulate in high-traffic areas between scheduled cleaning sweeps, particularly following peak periods or major performances.
“We have increased our number of staff over the tournament. We have rolled out additional waste receptacles, including recycling receptacles in the last mile. We have added extra crews in specific areas,” McDermott said.
He adds that crowd behaviour has been very positive, with no significant operational concerns for city staff.
“Once everybody starts to clear out from, for example, the Granville pedestrian zone, we are able to get our teams in there in full force and do those big cleanups and really have the place looking shiny and new by 8:00 a.m.,” McDermott explained.
“So, a lot of work and the teams are doing a really great job.”
BC Place will host Team Canada and Qatar on Thursday, with the FIFA Fan Festival and Granville Street in downtown Vancouver again expecting thousands of celebrating fans.
