What should go in the green organics cart?

    • The cart should be used for anything that rots
    • The cart’s primary intent is to capture food waste 
    • Meat, bones, egg shells, peelings, left overs, crumbs, coffee grinds, tea leaves are all examples of what can be put in the green organics cart
    • Soiled paper products also go in the green cart – e.g. pizza boxes, paper towel, facial tissue, paper plates
    • If at the end of the week you still have room in your green cart, you can throw in leaves, dead plants, branches (as long as the lid closes)
    • Grass clipping should be left on the lawn as much as possible.


    How best to use the green organics cart?

    • Line your cart with newspaper for a quick and inexpensive solution to items sticking or freezing to the sides of your cart.
    • Trap wet waste in paper towel, newspaper, paper bags or cereal boxes to avoid a mess.
    • Minimize odours by freezing meat, fish and other odorous items until collection day.
    • Clean out your fridge close to your organics collection day.
    • Use bags to collect organic waste, but make sure they are certified compostable. Biodegradable and plastic bags cannot be placed in your green organics cart.
    • Layer wet and dry waste to help absorb excess moisture and prevent items freezing to the cart in winter.
    • Control flies and bugs by spreading dish soap around the lip of your cart.
    • Let the waste in your cart rest because pressing it down tightly may prevent items from emptying during collection.
    • Store your cart in a dry place as rain and snow allow water to collect inside the cart which can cause damage or hinder emptying.
    • Pull your cart to the curb (instead of pushing it) to prevent snow or debris from gathering in front of the cart and making it difficult to collect.
    • Make your cart accessible so staff can easily get to it on collection day. Make sure there is an arm’s length of clearance on all sides of the cart.