Green bin 101
What you need to know about the Green Bin Ottawa program right now.
Green bin collection has begun! Now, Ottawa will be able to take food scraps and other organic waste and transform it into compost, reducing the amount of residential waste heading to landfill.
Didn’t receive your Collection Calendar? You can access the new calendar here.
What you need to know about...
- Bin liners: Paper bin liners for the green bin or kitchen container aren’t necessary, but if you prefer, you can use paper bags, folded newspaper or store bought paper liners, available at most major retailers.
- Cold temperatures: Organic material is high in water content, and in winter temperatures can freeze. Line your bin bottom with dry materials (crumpled paper, box board) or spray with cooking spray. You can find other tips here.
- Pet waste: Kitty litter or soiled small animal bedding is acceptable, but not dog waste. Get the scoop on acceptable items with this download.
- Damaged bin? Contact 3-1-1 for a replacement.
More questions? We have answers.
About your green bin
The City of Ottawa provides residents with two containers to help them participate in the Green Bin program:
- Your green bin is a compact and hardy outdoor container. Specially designed with a pest-resistant latch, this bin stands up to Ottawa’s weather;
- The locally-made, smaller kitchen container is a handy way to collect and store the organic waste from your kitchen. With tiny holes for airflow, it helps keep odour and fruit flies away.
Why green bins?
Almost half of the residential waste Ottawa produces is made up of organics—things like food scraps, soiled paper or leaf and yard waste. But organic waste isn’t garbage—it’s a valuable resource. The City of Ottawa is asking residents to RETHINK garbage by participating in the Green Bin program.
With your green bin, you can make a real difference to the City and the environment. This new programs can help:
- Extend the life of our landfills: By diverting almost half of all residential waste, we can delay sourcing and setting up new landfills – a very expensive proposition.
- Turn waste into a usable product (compost) that enriches the earth
Green Bin Ottawa will help us feed the land, and not the landfill.
How it works
Organic recycling starts with you. Use your green bin to collect things like kitchen scraps, soiled paper products and yard waste. Your bin will be collected by the city on a weekly basis throughout spring, summer and fall, and bi-weekly in the winter. Once collected, these materials will be sent to a local indoor composting facility to be converted to compost.
Who is participating?
The first phase of the Green Bin program will target the majority of Ottawa residents: People living in single and low-rise residences in urban, suburban and rural village areas that currently have single set out garbage and recycling pick up.
Over 2010-2011, the City will be investigating service for high-rise buildings, and residences with common pad garbage collection. Roll out to remaining residences including rural, non-village residents will be determined with the new collections contract, set to commence 2012.