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We provide green bins to new homeowners, and provide replacement and additional green bins free of charge, as supplies last. Green bins are available from our Waste Management Administration offices:
- Cambridge: 201 Savage Drive, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Waterloo: 925 Erb Street West, Gate 1, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If your green bin is broken, please bring it when you pick up your replacement. We can recycle it
| Liner bags |
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Lining the green bin helps to ensure that all the material in it gets collected, and helps keep your bin clean. There are two choices for lining your green bin:
- Paper liner bags. Paper bags do not need certification logos. While there are paper bags made specifically for green bin use, any paper bag is acceptable. Some green-bin specific paper bags have a shiny cellulose lining to give them more wet strength; these are safe to use in our program.
- Certified compostable plastic liner bags: These bags are the only type of plastic that is allowed in the green bin, and are identified by specific logos. These bags must have at least one of these logos:
  TIP! If you have extra organics occasionally, place one paper or certified compostable plastic bag of organics on top of your green bin for collection. If you have extra organics on a regular basis, pick up an additional green bin from the Region.
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| Kitchen containers |
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To gather organics in your kitchen (and other rooms, such as facial tissues from your bathrooms) use or reuse a container with a tight-fitting lid. Options include reusing a plastic ice cream tub, purchasing kitchen containers from local hardware/home improvement stores.
Note: Do not set out kitchen containers for collection.
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- all food scraps including bones, peelings, shells, baking and cooking ingredients, spoiled and raw and cooked food (remove all packaging, stickers)
- small amount (no more than one cup per green bin) of liquids (Use our Cooking oil drop-off program)
- some paper products, such as paper plates, paper towels, facial tissue, greasy take-out paper packaging, paper baking cups, shredded paper
- hair, nail clippings, fur, feathers, and wrapped pet waste. Read more about responsible ways to dispose of pet waste.
- houseplants, cut flowers waste, natural greenery from wreaths (remove pots, wire, decorations)
- wooden toothpicks
- cold wood ashes (place in an acceptable liner bag)
- pumpkins (remove candles, decorations and place on top of or beside your green bin)
Wondering if an item is accepted in our Green Bin program? Ask the Waste Whiz!
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- butcher paper, plastic wrap, aluminum foil
- cigarette butts and ashes
- cleaning wipes and sponges, dryer lint and sheets
- coffee pods (even if labelled "compostable", they are not accepted in our program)
- corks
- cutlery (metal, plastic, "compostable")
- dental floss and toothbrushes
- diapers, sanitary and hygiene products
- dirt, vacuum sweepings
- gum
- hazardous materials or liquids
- large quantities of liquids
- paper coffee cups
- paper toweling that contains hazardous chemicals
- plastic grocery, shopping and garbage bags (including "biodegradable", non-certified compostable)
- plastic packets of condiments, plastic mesh tea bags
- plastic, metal and glass food and beverage containers
- water softener salt
- wax (candle, cheese wax from wrapping, wax paper)
- wire
- yard waste
Certified compostable plastic bags can be used to line your green bin, but no other compostable plastic products (such as cutlery, cups, etc.) are allowed in the green bin.
Wondering how to dispose of an item? Ask the Waste Whiz!
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| My green bin is broken. Is it recyclable? How do I get a replacement? |
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Broken green bins are recyclable. Please drop it off and pick up a free replacement (while supplies last) at one of our Waste Management Administration offices:
- 201 Savage Drive, Cambridge (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- 925 Erb Street West, Gate 1, Waterloo (Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
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| How do I set up my green bin? |
- Place a container in the kitchen to collect organics in a handy spot, such as on the kitchen counter. 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 do not get stuck when collection crews are trying to empty it.
- Post information about green bin recycling on your bulletin board or put our Green Bin program magnet on your fridge. (If you need copies of these materials, please call 519-575-4400.)
- Discuss green bin recycling with your family.
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| What can I use as a kitchen container? |
- Repurpose a lidded container that you may already have, such as a plastic ice cream container or kitty litter bucket.
- Purchase a small lidded bucket or kitchen organics container from local hardware or home improvement stores. Available in plastic, metal/stainless steel, etc.
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| What should I look for when buying liner bags? How should I use them? |
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If you want to line your green bin, you have two choices:
- Paper liner bags. Paper bags do not need certification logos. Some paper bags have a shiny cellulose lining to give them more wet strength and are safe to use in our program.
- Certified compostable plastic (CCP) liner bags: These bags are the only type of plastic that is allowed in the program and are identified by specific logos. These bags must have at least one of these logos:
Beware! There are other bags that look like CCP 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.
If you can't find a certified compostable plastic logo, do not buy it for your green bin.
When you use certified compostable plastic liner bags:
- Do not double bag.
- Roll or twist the top of the bag; avoid knots. Knots do not compost well.
- Place the logo so it is visible, if possible. This helps collection staff know that it is the correct plastic.
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| I don't want to buy liner bags. What else can I use? |
- Put crumpled balls of newspaper, a paper egg carton or a paper takeout drink tray at the bottom of your green bin.
- Add a layer of shredded paper or facial tissues in between layers of food scraps.
- Line your kitchen container with a Do-it-Yourself liner.
- Use paper bags you get from take-out food, grocery stores, etc.
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| If diapers and personal hygiene products can't go in the green bin, why is pet waste acceptable? |
| Diapers and personal hygiene products include plastic and absorbent materials which cannot be processed at the Guelph plant given their set up and operating licence. Pet waste is accepted and can be properly managed as the temperatures generated during composting are high enough to kill any pathogens that may be present. All finished compost is tested and has to meet Provincial standards before it can be sold. |
| I use my backyard composter, why do I need to use a green bin? |
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Backyard composting can complement the green bin!
- Items such as meat, bones and sauces that can attract pests in the yard are accepted in the green bin.
- Some residents using backyard composters choose to give themselves a break over the winter and use the green bin while their composters are buried in the snow.
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| How do I deal with pests and odours in warm weather? |
- Cover food scraps with a layer of paper waste, such as shredded paper or facial tissues.
- Deter flies by smearing citronella, an essential oil, on the outside rim of your containers.
- Use natural deodorizers such as baking soda and white vinegar.
- For fruit flies, spray the bin with a mixture of half white vinegar and half water.
Do not use chemical pesticides.
For more tips on how to prevent and control pests, check out our flyer.
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| How can I deal with my green bin in the winter so it empties out at collection? |
- Grease the inside of your green bin with vegetable oil.
- Drain liquids before you put food scraps in your green bin. No more than one cup of liquid should be put in your green bin.
- Put crumpled balls of newspaper, a paper egg carton or a paper takeout drink tray at the bottom of your green bin.
- Layer food waste with paper waste (e.g. shredded paper).
- Do not set out your green bin the night before collection. Instead, set it out by 7 a.m. on your collection day to lessen the chances of it freezing completely.
- If you use a green bin liner bag, loosen it from the sides of the bin when you set it out for collection.
- When it snows, place your green bin at street level by shoveling a flat area close to the curb at the end of your driveway.
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| My green bin wasn't emptied. Why? |
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There are a number of commons reasons why items are not collected, including by-laws and bans.
If you have concerns about your collection, please contact our Call Centre at 519-575-4400, available 24 hours a day, every day.
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| Where can I buy the correct certified compostable plastic (CCP) pet waste bags? |
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Pet waste in the green bin has to be wrapped to protect the health and safety of our collection crews. Using CCP bags is one way to wrap pet waste.
Staff visited some stores recently and found certified compostable CCP pet waste bags at the locations listed below.
Beware! There are other bags that look like CCP 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.
| Cambridge |
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Global Pet Foods
- 970 Franklin Blvd., Cambridge N1R 8R3
- 940 Jamieson Parkway #8, Cambridge N3C 4N6
PetSmart, 600 Hespeler Road, Unit 68B, Cambridge N1R 8H2
Pet Valu
- 130 Cedar Street, #44, Cambridge N1S 1W4
- 200 Franklin Blvd., Cambridge N1R 5S2
- 350 Hespeler Road, B-10, Cambridge N1R 7N7
- 180 Holiday Inn Drive, Cambridge N3C 3T2
Ren’s Pets Depot, 34 Pinebush Road, Cambridge N1R 8K5
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| Elmira |
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Pet Valu, 315 Arthur Street, Elmira N3B 3L5
Village Pet Food Shoppe 25 Industrial Drive, Elmira N3B 3K3
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| Kitchener |
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CB Pet Food & Supplies, 1335 Weber Street East, #1, Kitchener N2A 3A7
Global Pet Foods
- 669 Belmont Avenue West, Kitchener N2M 1N8
- 700 Strasburg Road, Kitchener N2E 2M2
PetSmart, 655 Fairway Road South, Kitchener N2C 1X4
Pet Valu
- 324 Highland Road West, #2, Kitchener N2M 5G2
- 235 Ira Needles Blvd., Kitchener N2N 0B2
- 1005 Ottawa Street North, Kitchener N2A 1H2
- 1400 Ottawa St S b17, Kitchener N2E 4E2
- 720 Westmount Rd E #3, Kitchener N2E 2M6
Ren’s Pets Depot, 1525 Victoria Street North, Kitchener N2B 3E4
The Pet Stop, 600 Doon Village Road, Kitchener N2P 1G6
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| St. Jacobs |
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Creature Comfort Pet Emporium,1553 King Street North, St. Jacobs N0B 2N0
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| Waterloo |
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Global Pet Foods
- 450 Columbia Street West, Waterloo N2T 2W1
- 425 University Avenue East, Waterloo N2K 4C9
Paws Evolution Inc., 191 King Street South, Unit 104, Waterloo N2J 1R1
PetSmart, 663 Erb Street West, Waterloo N2J 3Z4
Pet Valu
- 94 Bridgeport Road East, #37 and 38, Waterloo N2J 2J9
- 582 Weber Street North, Waterloo N2L 0C7
Ren’s Pet Depot, 400 The Boardwalk, Waterloo N2T 0A6
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| Wellesley |
| Town Barker, 1220 Queen’s Bush Road, Wellesley |
| Online |
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Avocado Co-op
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If you find CCP pet waste bags at another store, please email us.
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