Organic Collection
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The Organics Collection Program (Green Bin) is a program that collects household organic waste separate from other materials at the curb.
It creates valuable compost that can be used on lawns and gardens.
Why Participate in the Organics Collection Program?
- It compliments backyard composting. Use your Green Bin for items that cannot be placed in your composter
- Waste from the garden can also be placed in your Green Bin
What can be collected from the Yard?
Leaves, weeds, garden waste, small twigs and hedge trimmings.
If you can't backyard compost, place your kitchen scraps, such as fruit and vegetable peelings, table scraps, meat (chicken, fish), solid dairy products, baked goods (bread, muffins, etc.), coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, pasta and rice, sauces and gravy, eggs and egg shells, bones and nut shells in your Green Bin.
Soiled newsprint, brown paper bags, sawdust and wood shavings, paper takeout trays, and paper egg cartons can also be put in your Green Bin.
Preparing Organics for Collection
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Place your lawn and garden waste directly in the Green Bin or another plastic or metal rigid container clearly marked "organics".
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Wrap your food waste in newspaper or place directly in your kitchen bin.
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Once your kitchen bin is full, empty the contents into your Green Bin or another plastic or metal rigid container clearly marked "organics".
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Place your Green Bin or curbside organics container at the curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day.
General Tips
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Line your bin with newspaper or egg cartons to absorb liquid and prevent material from sticking to the bottom or sides.
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Rinse as required with warm water and mild soap.
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Put your Green Bin or curbside organic collection container out for collection every week - even if it is not full.
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Wrap your food waste with newspapers before placing in your organic collection container to help reduce odours.
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Avoid placing your Green Bin or organic collection containers in direct sunlight.
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Store your Green Bin or curbside organics collection container in your garage or shed or outside away from decks, stairs, walls or railing so animals do not have any leverage to get in the bin.
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Make sure wet and rotting foods aren't exposed.Try alternating layers of food waste with dry leaf and yard waste or paper products to deter animals.
Benefits of using your Green Bin
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Reduces the amount of garbage you set out at curb.
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Helps divert organic materials from
landfills. -
Reduces the production of methane gas which is created as organic material rots in landfills without oxygen. Methane gas is a greenhouse gas and contributes to climate change.
Remember to continue to use your backyard composter. Backyard composting is a great way to produce ready-made compost for your garden. It also leaves more room in your Green Bin for materials such as dairy products, meats, grease, oils, bones and fats that should not go into your backyard composter.