The Dos and Don'ts of Compost Bins
Household garbage disposable is changing city-wide and composting is the new initiative being introduced to cut down on excessive waste going into our landfills. We have put together some helpful tips to avoid any confusion so that you can navigate these new changes successfully.
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What are the new Green Bins?
Cities across Canada have been rolling out composting programs in the form of Green Bins or city-provided compost bins which get emptied by the city. Many households are now expected to sort their waste into three different categories: garbage (black cart), recycling and composting (green cart). If you are new to this system, it can be confusing and overwhelming to know which items go where and how to navigate the new composting requirements. Read on for a helpful list of compostable items and the dos and don’ts of using your compost bin.
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What is the purpose of composting?
Composting programs cut down on the amount of waste that goes into a landfill. This in turn cuts down on costs associated with burning or storing garbage. When organic waste (compost) goes into a landfill, it does not properly decompose and breaks down and it releases a greenhouse gas called methane. Also, compost can be used as a safe fertilizer for plants, trees and grass! Composting gives back to the environment!
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Items you can add to your compost bin:
- Fruit and vegetable peels and scraps
- Spoiled fruits and vegetables
- Egg shells
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Tea bags
- Food soiled napkins
- Paper towels
- Leaves and grass
- Garden trimmings
- Dead plants
- Pine cones
- Fallen tree fruit
- Bark, branches, twigs
- All of these items can also be placed in a home compost bin if you want to start your own compost program at home!
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Items allowed in SOME compost bins:
Check with your municipality before adding to your bin.
- Dairy
- Plate scraps
- Meat, fish and bones
- Pet waste
- Pet hair
These items would generally NOT be placed in a home compost bin because they require more heat and time to break down and they attract unwanted pests to your yard.
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Stop Food Waste
If the amount of food waste in your home is a concern, don’t worry. We put together our top tips on how to maximize using the food you have, to make sure it doesn’t spoil or get thrown away.