Why Organics?
Composting helps reduce harmful pollution. Organic waste buried in a landfill generates methane—a potent greenhouse gas—whereas composting organic waste with controlled exposure to air, moisture, and heat produces carbon dioxide, a much less harmful greenhouse gas. Curbside residential organic waste collection will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 2,000 passenger vehicles per year from local roads. It will also help residents divert waste from the landfill. Did you know? Only 22% of residential garbage is actually garbage—the rest can be recycled or composted.
Organics Collection - What To Do
Food scraps are collected indoors in a small kitchen bin or pail. When the kitchen bin is full, empty the bin into the organics curbside cart.
Any paper-based liner (e.g. newsprint, paper bags, takeout boxes, cereal/cracker boxes, parchment paper, or paper liners from home and garden centres, drug stores, or grocery stores) may be used in the kitchen bin to make it easier to empty and clean. Layering food scraps with used napkins or paper towels will help absorb odour-causing moisture and liquids.
Cardboard may be used in the organics cart. Use pieces or small panels of cardboard (please remove any tape from boxes first) to line the bottom and sides, and use as layers within the cart. This will help absorb moisture in the cart and will help prevent material from sticking or freezing to the sides.
Why aren't compostable or biodegradable plastic bags (as liners) accepted in the organics program? This is because plastics that are certified as biodegradable or compostable will only break down under specific conditions (e.g. a minimum period of time and when exposed to a certain minimum temperature). The challenge is that not all composting facilities operate under these conditions. If they don’t, the plastics won’t break down properly and can end up contaminating the finished product and can introduce microplastics and chemical additives into the soil as they break down.
Residents are encouraged to put the organics cart out every collection day, no matter the amount of material. Material may stick or freeze in your cart, preventing it from being fully emptied; layering food scraps with dry material will help prevent this, as will placing dry cardboard along the bottom and edges of the cart and wrapping food scraps in newsprint or paper-based liners. Large paper yard waste bags may also be used to line the curbside cart.
Looking for tips to reduce food waste in the first place? Find useful tips and resources on our Love Your Food page.
What Can Go In The Organics Cart?
OOPS! Tag
If we find unacceptable materials in your organics cart, you will receive an OOPS! Tag.
This tag serves as a reminder that only approved organic waste should be placed in the cart. Common contaminants include:
- Plastic bags and compostable plastic bags
- Food and beverage packaging
- Pet waste
- Diapers
Please review the tag’s feedback and remove any prohibited items before the next pickup. Keeping organics clean helps reduce waste and supports a successful composting program.
