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Approved collection container |
|  Due to COVID-19 measures, our offices are closed until further notice. Green bins are available at the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) depots in Cambridge and Waterloo.
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.
How to handle extra green bin organics:
- A small quantity of extra green bin organics can be put in an approved liner bag (see below for details on liner bags) and placed on top of your green bin for collection. Please make sure that the approved liner bag can support its contents.
- Pick up an extra green bin for no charge at the locations listed above.
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!
Liner bags |
| Lining your green bin protects collection staff, helps the material empty out, and keeps your bin cleaner. There are two choices for lining your green bin:
- 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:
Tip! If you have extra organics occasionally, place them in a paper or certified compostable liner bag, and put the bag on top of your green bin when you set it out for collection.
Tips on how to buy and use liner bags.
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What goes in? |
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- All food scraps (remove packaging, stickers, no more than one cup of liquid per green bin)
- 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! |
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.
- Maximum weight for each green bin is 23 kilograms (50 pounds).
- Keep it visible and accessible for collection crews (not behind a snowbank, parked car, etc.).
- Remove all packaging from spoiled food (place any recyclable packaging in your blue box!)
- Do not set only a liner bag or your kitchen container out for collection.
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 by using these tips.
- 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.
- 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 and FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) |
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 empty out.
- Line your green bin or kitchen container with an acceptable liner bag.
- 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? |
- Re-purpose 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 home improvement stores. Available in plastic, metal/stainless steel, etc.
 Note: Do not set out kitchen containers for collection.
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What should I look for when buying liner bags, and pet waste bags? How should I use them? |
| Whether you buy liner bags online or in local stores, 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 liner bags: These bags are the only type of plastic that is allowed in the 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. If you can't find a certified compostable logo, do not buy it for your green bin.
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.
TIP! 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. |
I don't want to buy liner bags. What else can I use? |
- Line your kitchen container with a Do-it-Yourself liner.
- Use paper bags you get from take-out food, grocery stores, etc.
Please remember to securely close all liner bags that are in the green bin. This helps to protect collection crews. |
How do I deal with liquids and prevent a soggy green bin? |
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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. 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 facilities 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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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? |
| 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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My green bin wasn't emptied. Why? |
| 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 use our online form, or contact our Call Centre at 519-575-4400, available 24 hours a day, every day. |
Can I put in "compostable" coffee pods, cutlery and other "biodegradable" items and packaging? |
| No. 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.
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