What is the correct container to use? |
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We provide Green Bins to new homeowners, and replacement or additional green bins free of charge, as supplies last. Green bins are available at the at:
- Cambridge Waste Management site, 201 Savage Drive, Cambridge. Go to the scale and staff will provide directions. Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Waterloo Waste Management site, 925 Erb Street West, Gate 2, Waterloo. Go to the Household Hazardous Waste depot. Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The measurements of green bin we distribute are: 45 litres (12 gallons) in volume; 45 centimetres (17.7 inches) length by 39 centimetres (15.5 inches) wide by 68 centimetres (26.9 inches) high. While green bins may be available for purchase from retailers, the Region of Waterloo does not reimburse for green bin purchases. Only use a 45 litre (12 gallon) green bin to set out your household organics.
- Collection crews empty containers by physically lifting and tipping the container into their truck. They cannot empty oversized or overweight containers.
- The green bin is the indicator to collection crews that you have household organics set out for recycling.
If your green bin is broken, set it aside and do not use. It won't be safe for collection staff to empty. Please bring your broken green bin in to the locations above for a replacement. We can recycle it! |
Using the correct liner bags |
| All green bin organics have to be in acceptable liner bags. Using liner bags protects collection staff, helps the material empty out, and keeps your bin cleaner. There are two types of liner bags that are accepted in our program:
- Paper liner bags: Paper liner bags made specifically for the green bin are available at local grocery and hardware stores. These bags do not need certification logos. Some have a shiny cellulose lining to give them more wet strength; these are safe to use in our program. As well, you can use any other type of paper bag as a liner, such as paper take-out bags.
- Certified compostable liner bags: These bags are made from plant-based material and are tested to ensure that they compost fully. It is the only type of plastic that is allowed in our Green Bin program (and accepted by our organics processor), and are identified by specific logos. These bags must have at least one of these logos:
 Beware! There are other bags that look like certified compostable bags, but are not acceptable. Generally, if the label says "biodegradable", "oxo degradable" or "degradable", they are not certified, do not fully compost, and are not accepted in our program. When you use certified compostable liner bags:
- Do not double bag.
- Tie bags securely closed.
- Place the logo so it is visible, if possible. This helps collection staff know that it is the correct plastic.
Tips!
- When you set out your green bin to the curb for collection, loosen the liner bag away from the rim, sides and bottom of the bin.
- If you own a pet, look for pet waste bags with the same logos as above. When you go for a walk with your dog, for instance, bring along some of these certified compostable plastic bags so you can easily tie up the bags and drop them in your green bin when you get home.
- Use our flyer as a reference when you go shopping for certified compostable liner bags, and for instructions on how to make your own kitchen container liner out of newsprint.
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How to set up for success |
- Place a container in the kitchen to collect organics in a handy spot, such as on the kitchen counter. See "kitchen container" section below.
- Put other containers or paper bags in each bathroom.
- Write your address on your green bin in permanent marker.
- Set your green bin in a convenient, well-ventilated, shady area, like the garage.
- Place a paper egg carton or balled up newsprint in the bottom of your green bin so contents empty out.
- Line your green bin or kitchen container with the correct type of liner bag.
- Post information about green bin recycling on your bulletin board. Print out flyers and brochures in the Green Bin program section on our Publications page.
- Discuss green bin recycling with your family
Kitchen container options Re-purpose a lidded container that you may already have, such as a plastic ice cream container or kitty litter bucket. Or purchase a small lidded bucket or kitchen organics container from local home improvement stores. Available in plastic, metal/stainless steel, etc. Do not set out your kitchen container for collection. 
How to prevent (or control) pests Pests are naturally attracted to food scraps and smelly waste. Below are tips to help prevent and control pests. How to prevent pests:
- Keep lids on your organics containers securely closed at all times.
- Empty your kitchen container into your green bin on a regular basis.
- Clean your bins frequently with baking soda or another gentle cleaner.
- Deodorize your bins by sprinkling baking soda, garden lime, white vinegar or biodegradable laundry detergent (no bleach) in your bins.
- Store your green bin in a shaded, cool area.
- Place spoiled food in your bin just before collection. Consider freezing meat/bones in paper bags and placing in your bin on collection day.
- Bury food scraps with shredded paper or newspaper.
- Deter flies by dabbing vinegar on the outside rim of your container.
- Set out your green bin for collection every week, even if it is not full. Set it out by 7 a.m. on your collection day, not the night before.
- Replace your bins if they are cracked or broken.
How to control pests
- Do not use hazardous, chemical pesticides since this would affect the quality of compost produced.
- For fruit flies, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spray the top contents of your organics containers. Or trap fruit flies by placing a small amount of apple cider vinegar with a drop of dish soap in a juice glass and set next to your kitchen container.
- Sprinkle salt, white vinegar, garden lime, or Diatomaceous Earth (a natural fossil product) on top of fly larvae (maggots).
- If storing your green bin outside, hang it on a hook out of the reach of animals.
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What goes in? |
- All food scraps (remove packaging, stickers, no more than one cup of liquid per green bin - see information below)
- Some paper products, such as greasy take-out paper packaging, paper plates, paper towels, shredded paper
- Hair, nail clippings, fur, feathers, and wrapped pet waste
- Houseplants, cut flowers waste, natural greenery from wreaths (remove pots, wire, decorations)
- Pumpkins (remove candles, decorations and place on top of or beside your green bin)
- Wood ashes (cold, put in an acceptable liner bag)
Put all green bin organics in a paper or certified compostable liner bag and close all bags when you set out your green bin for collection. NO packaging, glass, metal, plastic. No beverage cups, including coffee cups. No chewing gum, cigarette butts, cleaning wipes, coffee pods, corks, condiment packets, cutlery, diapers, dirt/vacuum sweepings, water softener salt, wax, yard waste. Wondering if an item is accepted in our Green Bin program? Ask the Waste Whiz! How to deal with liquids and prevent a soggy green bin Only 250 grams (one cup) of liquid is allowed in your green bin. This helps to prevent it from being over the weight limit of 23 kilograms (50 pounds), prevents odours, and avoids a messy bin at collection. As well, liquid waste is banned from collection in our by-law. Here are ways to deal with liquids:
- Drain watery liquids from food waste before putting it in the green bin. Warning! Protect your pipes and do not pour fats in your sink or toilet.
- Let fats/grease cool and harden first, then put in a lined green bin.
- Drop off large quantities of cooking oil, such as from a deep fryer, at our waste management sites for free.
- Put layers of paper in your lined green bin or lined kitchen container to absorb liquids. Use shredded paper from your home office or newspaper.
- Put a paper egg carton or paper beverage take-out tray in the bottom of your green bin to absorb liquids and prevent your liner bag from sticking to the bin.
- Use a backyard composter for your food waste that can be high in liquids such as fruits and vegetables, tea bags and coffee grounds.
- Can the liquid be used in other recipes? Look for options online
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Collection schedule and rules |
- Set out your green bin every week by 7 a.m. on your collection day, even if it is not full. This will help prevent odours and the contents sticking to the bin. Please note: On your collection day, different trucks pick up different materials starting at 7 a.m. (they work into the evening). The time that your items are collected will vary week to week depending on various factors, such as routing changes, road construction, and weather conditions.
- Collection crews sticker and leave behind green bins containing unacceptable items.
- There is no limit on the number of green bins you can set out each week.
- Put all organics in an approved liner bag. Loose organics will not be collected.
- Close all liner bags to protect collection crews. If you use certified compostable liner bags, place the logo so it is visible. This helps collection crews know that it is the correct type of bag. Green bins with regular plastic bags and other unacceptable items will not be collected.
- Bag pet waste and cold wood ashes in a liner bag before you place it in the green bin. This helps protect collection crews and keeps your bin cleaner.
- Peel the liner loose from the edge of the bin when you set the bin to the curb. This way, the liner will drop out at collection. Liner bags that are frozen, stuck, or still stretched around the rim of your green bin cannot be collected.
- The only item made out of compostable plastic that is allowed in green bins is certified compostable liner bags. No other "compostable" plastic products (such as cutlery, cups, coffee pods, etc.) are allowed. See information below.
- Maximum weight for each green bin is 23 kilograms (50 pounds).
- Keep it visible and accessible for collection crews (not behind or on top of a snowbank, not behind a parked car or light post, etc.).
- Remove all packaging from spoiled food, and place any recyclable packaging in your blue box.
- Do not set only a liner bag or your kitchen container out for collection.
Why "compostable" coffee pods, cutlery, and other plastic items are not allowed in our Green Bin program The only type of compostable plastic accepted in our Green Bin program is certified compostable liner bags which have the following logos: Why?
- All green bin organics get turned into compost at Guelph's organics processing facility. This facility's licence allows for certified compostable liner bags only; no other compostable plastic packaging or items are accepted.
- Liner bags with the logos above have been tested to assure that the materials break down to make compost.
- Unacceptable "compostable" packaging and items could result in processing issues at the composting facility and spoil the compost quality. Some bio-plastics contain fossil fuels.
If you have any questions or concerns about your collection schedule or our programs, please contact our Call Centre at 519-575-4400. |
Options for dealing with green bin organics |
- Prevent food waste.
- Compost food scraps in your backyard. Fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells, tea bags and coffee grounds are some of the items that can be composted.
- For small quantities of extra organics, place in an approved liner bag and place on top of your green bin for collection. Please make sure that the bag can support its contents.
- For pet waste disposal, go to our "How to dispose of pet waste" page.
- Consider vermicomposting - composting with worms.
- Drop off green bin organics at the Region's waste management sites (fees will apply). This may be an option to consider when you are going on vacation or moving.
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Tips |
- Download our free Waste Whiz app to set personalized waste collection reminders.
- When you "spring clean":
- Wash containers on a regular basis. And use a natural deodorizer such as baking soda to freshen your bin.
- Replace your green bin if it is cracked or broken.
- Make your own kitchen container liner out of newsprint.
- Layer food waste with paper waste (such as shredded paper) to absorb liquids.
- Consider freezing meat/bones in acceptable liner bags and place in your green bin on your collection day.
- When preparing food, place a couple of sheets of newsprint on the counter, add food scraps, roll up, and toss in your green bin.
- If you use a backyard composter, continue to use it! It's good to compost vegetable and fruit peelings, egg shells, tea bags and coffee grounds. But put items such as meat, bones and sauces in the green bin, so you don't attract pests in your yard. And green bins are handy to recycle waste while composters are buried in the snow, too!
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