Use Your Greenbin!
Minimize your emissions by diverting organic waste from landfills!
Organics recycling is an important part of many municipalities’ long term Waste Strategy. Diverting residential organic waste away from landfill saves your city millions of dollars and reduces the need for additional landfill sites. City of Ottawa
WHAT CAN YOU DO IN 4 MINUTES?
FIND your city’s waste program and request a green bin if you don’t have one! Google “[your city] organic waste program”. You may be able to request delivery of a free receptacle
OR
LEARN what else you can put in your bin beyond the usual food scraps and USE your bin as much as you can. EDUCATE yourself on your program’s restrictions
OR
If in an apartment, REQUEST a green bin for your building from your landlord.
OR
If you live in the country or in an area without a program, consider creating your own COMPOST system in your yard!
OR
If none of the above options are applicable to your situation, DOUBLE DOWN on reducing your plastic consumption and waste! Read more here: Single use plastics 101| Natural Resources Defense Council
References
RESOURCES:
Toronto Environment – Why I Love my New Green Bin, and You Should Too!
Natural Resources Defense Council – Single Use Plastics 101
City of Ottawa – Green Bin and Leaf and Yard Waste
Global News – Green Carts Coming? The Status of Edmonton’s Waste, Recycling, and Compost Plan
City of Calgary – How to Fold Newspaper to Line Your Kitchen Compost Pail
CRC Research – Green Waste Programs
WHAT?
We are unnecessarily overfilling our landfills!
“City of Toronto waste audits consistently show that up to 40% of what the average household puts in the garbage bin actually belongs in the Green Bin!” Toronto Environment
WHO is Affected?
Our planet! If we can reduce our own methane emissions, carbon footprint, and environmental impact, why wouldn’t we take this easy step?
GOAL
For ALL organic waste to be diverted from landfills
SOLUTION
Use your green bin or compost at every possible opportunity!
Did you know that many household waste items can be put in your green bin? This includes pet waste, soiled paper towels/plates/napkins/pizza boxes, hair trimmings, and more!
MORE INFO
- Did you know that many municipalities now accept plastic and bioplastic (cellulose or plant-based) bags IN the Green Bin? The reason is because many facilities are equipped with separation infrastructure! Read more about Ottawa’s strategy:
The organic waste facility has been retrofitted to rip open the plastic bags and separate the organic waste for composting. The plastic bags are then sent to landfill. The paper and compostable bags will begin to break down, along with the food and organic waste, while the material decomposes in the composting tunnels. Any paper and compostable bags that do not break down are screened from the compost. Smaller screened pieces may be recirculated through the process, bigger screened pieces are sent to landfill. City of Ottawa
- Remove your fruit and veggie stickers and put them in your garbage! These little buggers are not always biodegradable and can cause contamination issues at organic waste facilities. Global News
- Consider lining your mini kitchen green bin with newspaper! Learn how to make the perfect newspaper pouch for your small sized bin so you can empty it as frequently as you wish
Want a deep dive on the economics of green bin programs in Canada? Check out this case study (longer than 4 minutes to read!) Green Waste Programs | CRC Research