Organics

The Region provides a green cart to households for weekly organics collection. The green cart has a capacity of 100 litres and a weight limit of 85 pounds (38 kilograms).

Did you know that your green bin organics get converted into compost? Visit our Compost page to learn about the composting process.

You can fill your cart up to the maximum weight capacity, but the lid needs to be fully closed for collection. Do not place items on top of the cart.

Only use the Region-issued green cart provided to set out your organic waste. Do not set out your food scraps container or individual bags of organics for curbside collection.

Please note:

• When placing carts at the curb for collection, remember to lock the cart. The lid automatically unlocks during the collection process.

• Green carts with incorrect liner bags or exposed pet waste, will be stickered and left behind. 

• Different trucks pick up different materials. The time that your items are collected may vary depending on factors, such as routing changes, road construction, and weather conditions. 

If your green cart was not collected, please:

• Check for an Oops! sticker or flyer. The collection crew may have left behind a sticker to indicate a problem.
• If there is no sticker and your green cart was set out by 7 a.m. on your collection day, please leave it at the curb, and use the online form to report the issue or call the Service First Contact Centre at 519-575-4400, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

Starting September 1, 2026, households may request an additional green cart. A fee of $150 per cart will apply for the purchase and delivery of any new or additional green (organics) cart. This fee reflects the cost of the cart and delivery and is part of the Region’s approved Waste Management fee schedule effective April 1, 2026.  More information regarding the purchase of the additional cart will be released closer to the fall of 2026.  

Optional liner bags

There are two types of liner bags that are accepted in our program: Paper liner bags: made specifically for the green bin are available at local grocery and hardware stores. These bags do not need certification logos. You can also use any other type of paper bag as a liner, such as paper take-out bags, potato or flour bags.  Certified compostable liner bags: identified by one or both of these specific 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.

Food scraps container

Use your food scraps container for your organic waste: Set up for success Use your food scraps container to collect organics. Put other containers or paper bags in each bathroom to collect accepted green cart material there too. Set your green cart 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 cart so contents empty out. No liquids or oils. Line your green cart or food scraps container with the correct type of liner bag or make your own kitchen catcher liner bag (can we change this to food scraps container). Remove all packaging from spoiled food and place any recyclable packaging in your blue box

Cart maintenance

Cleaning tips Rinse regularly with water, use liner bags, and/or add baking soda to the bottom to minimize odours Place items like paper egg cartons and pizza boxes at the bottom of your green cart to reduce material getting stuck If items get stuck in the bottom of your carts, use a broom or shovel to loosen them

How to sort your waste

Use the Waste Whiz app to access the waste sorting tool and learn more about what can get collected in the green cart.  Green cart - organics includes: Food scraps including: Meat, chicken, fish, bones, pasta, bread, rice, pizza, fruits, vegetables Coffee grinds, filters and tea bags Paper plates, paper towels and napkins Wrapped pet waste, in a paper or certified compostable bag

Wondering if you can put something in the green bin? Ask the Waste Whiz.

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