Acceptable Materials: Items for your Green Bin
Niagara Region's goal is to divert at least 65 per cent of waste from landfill by 2012. The critical component of reaching that goal is to divert food and yard waste into the compost process.
Currently, organics make up 36 per cent of the waste. By increasing this amount, we can have a positive impact on the environment, and the lifespan of our local landfills.
For items not listed on this page, view a list of items and where they go or use our waste search tool to find your item.
What Can and Cannot go in your Green Bin
Yes |
No |
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From the Kitchen
From the Yard
In General
|
From the Kitchen
From the Yard
Other Items
Plastic bags including oxo degradable and bio degradable bags are not accepted. |
Tips on Preparing your Green Bin Material
Lining your Kitchen Catcher/Green Bin
No liner is required, however, you can line your kitchen catcher or Green Bin with cardboard, boxboard, newsprint, shredded paper, paper bags or certified plastic bags with one of these logos:
Preventing Odours and Insects in your Kitchen Catcher
Place all acceptable materials inside the container and firmly close the lid to prevent odours from escaping and attracting household insects.
To avoid odours, empty your kitchen container frequently (before the food scraps start to decompose) and wash it with vinegar, baking soda or dishwashing soap.
Emptying your Kitchen Catcher into your Green Bin
When your Kitchen Catcher is full, empty it into your Green Bin and set out on your collection day. If you are using compostable liner bags, you may wish to change the liner every 3 to 4 days.
Your Green Bin should be set out for collection every week, even if it is not full.
Preventing Odours and Insects in your Green Bin
Absorb odours with baking soda. Lemon juice and vinegar mask odours.
Wipe on and around the lid of your Green Bin with vinegar or salt to repel flies. Certain herbs and herbal oils such as eucalyptus, camphor, mint and bay, repel flies.
Flies are attracted to protein like meat and bones. Try putting your bags of organic material in the freezer until collection time.
Wash your Green Bin frequently with water and vinegar or dishwashing soap and make sure it is dry before using it again.
If you get Flies or Maggots in your Green Bin
Maggots are fly larvae and occur when flies lay eggs on organic waste. Typically, they have a 7-day life cycle, depending on temperature and moisture. To get rid of maggots, cover them with salt, lime, vinegar or diatomaceous earth (available at garden centres).
Rinse out your Green Bin with a water and vinegar mix or water with dishwashing soap to get rid of any remaining larvae.
Make sure your bin is dry before use. Line the outer rim of the bin with salt or vinegar to keep flies from entering.
Animal-Proofing Tips
When closed properly, your Green Bin should be as secure as your regular garbage can. To make it even more pest-proof you can:
- Use a bungee cord or other weight to hold the lid down - remove cord or weight before setting your Green Bin out for collection
- Rub vinegar on your Green Bin - the smell deters some animals
- Peppermint oil, cayenne or chili pepper, or hot sauce can keep animals from gnawing on your Green Bin
- Store your Green Bin in a garage or shed, if possible. Keep your container away from railings, walls or other objects that pests can use for leverage
Your green bin should be set out for collection every week, even if it is not full.
Regular Plastic Bags are Not Accepted
Do not use regular plastic bags they are not compostable and are not accepted for collection.
Placing your Green Bin at Curbside for Collection
Identify the Container as "Organics" (if you are not using a green bin)
If you are using plastic or metal rigid containers to store your green bin material, make sure the containers are clearly identified as "Organics". This allows us to distinguish between your green bin material and your regular garbage. If you require an "Organics" label, please call the Waste Info-Line at 905-356-4141 or 1-800-594-5542.
Acceptable Containers/Bags
Green bin material and Leaf and Yard Waste may be placed in open-top, reusable metal or plastic containers or Kraft paper bags.
No Limit for Organics
There is no container or bag limit for organics or leaf & yard material.