Green Bin Etiquette During The Holidays: A Guide To Proper Waste Disposal

The green bin is for organic waste, including food waste and garden waste. While the specifics of what can be put in the green bin vary depending on the region, generally, it is safe to place food scraps, garden plants, fruits, vegetables, leaves, and twigs in the green bin. However, it is important to check with local guidelines to ensure proper waste disposal.

What can go in the green bin?

The green bin is for organic waste, which can include food waste and garden waste.

Food waste that can go in the green bin includes:

• Fruits and vegetables (raw or cooked)
• Fruit and vegetable peels and scraps
• Meat and fish
• Bones
• Dairy products
• Eggshells
• Spoiled food
• Bread
• Pasta
• Rice
• Beans
• Grains
• Tea bags
• Coffee grounds
• Baked goods
• Fats and cooking oils
• Food-soiled paper products, such as paper plates, napkins, and towels

Garden waste that can go in the green bin includes:

• Leaves
• Lawn clippings
• Twigs and branches
• Weeds
• Plants
• Flowers
• Grass clippings

Other items that can sometimes be placed in the green bin include:

• Soiled or wet cardboard and paper
• Pet waste (in a sealed, leak-proof bag)
• Indoor plant clippings
• Kitty litter

It's important to note that not all items listed above are accepted in every municipality's green bin program. Always check with your local waste management guidelines to ensure you are following the correct procedures for your area.

What can't go in the green bin?

It is important to know what can and cannot go into your green bin to avoid contamination and ensure your waste is processed correctly. Green bins are for organic waste, which is turned into compost or mulch. However, not everything that is green or plant-based can be processed.

Firstly, do not put any waste in plastic bags or any other packaging. This includes vacuum cleaner contents. Plastic bags and packaging themselves should also not be placed in green bins.

Secondly, coarse, wiry, and tough plants, such as drought-tolerant plants like succulents, cacti, and yucca, should not be placed in green bins. Palm fronds and bamboo are also too tough to be broken down into compost or mulch.

Thirdly, certain types of waste should be avoided. This includes animal or pet waste, cooked or uncooked food, foam cups or packing materials, cardboard, metals, plastics, glass, trash, dirt, rocks, and so-called compostable or biodegradable plastics.

Finally, there may be restrictions on the size and weight of branches that can be placed in a green bin. For example, branches may need to be less than 4 inches in diameter and 4 to 5 feet in length, and weigh less than 50 pounds.

How to store your green bin

Storing your green bin properly is essential to keeping it clean, odour-free, and pest-free. Here are some tips for storing your green bin effectively:

• Store your green bin in a garage, shed, or another covered area away from direct sunlight. Keeping it in a shaded area will help reduce odours and deter pests.
• Place your green bin in a well-ventilated area to prevent the build-up of unpleasant smells.
• Keep your green bin away from fences, deck railings, walls, or other objects that rodents or pests can use to access it.
• Store your green bin in a secure location by locking the lid or latching mechanism to prevent pests from getting inside.
• During winter, store your green bin against an exterior wall to prevent ice or snow from accumulating on the lid, which can make it difficult to open.
• Hang your green bin on a hook to keep it off the ground and out of reach of animals if possible.
• Regularly clean your green bin using mild soap, disinfectant, or natural products like baking soda, vinegar, or biodegradable laundry detergent. A clean bin will help reduce odours and keep pests away.
• Rinse your green bin with a hose to remove any residue and allow it to dry before putting in new waste.
• To prevent waste from sticking to the bin, line it with paper products like newspaper, paper bags, or certified compostable bags.
• To absorb liquids and reduce odours, place a layer of paper products like newspaper, paper egg cartons, or shredded paper at the bottom of your green bin.
• To further deter pests, sprinkle a strong-smelling biodegradable repellent like vinegar or detergent on the outside of your green bin.
• If possible, place spoiled food in your green bin just before collection, and consider freezing meat and bones in paper bags until collection day.

How to keep animals and bugs away

To keep animals and bugs away from your garbage, you should first ensure that your garbage is stored securely. Food waste, in particular, attracts bugs, cockroaches, rodents, and other pests. To limit access to your trash, you can try the following:

• Use heavy-duty trash bags to keep pests out and trap odours inside.
• Double bag your trash, especially during the summer months when food rots faster.
• Keep trash bins inside a garage or shed until trash pick-up day.
• Use trash cans with interlocking lids that lock in place.
• Tie down the trash can lid with a bungee cord, clamps, or a chain and padlock.
• Place a heavy brick or cinder block on the lid.
• Minimize food waste by using a garbage disposal on your sink or only putting food into your trash bins on pick-up day.
• Keep trash cans away from walls, fences, trees, or anything that might help smaller animals climb to the top.
• Construct a trash enclosure using wood, metal, or plastic, or buy one from a store or online supplier.
• Repair holes or replace damaged bins to prevent insects from entering.

You can also try to eliminate or mask the odours that attract animals and bugs:

• Wash out food waste containers and trash cans with soapy water or bleach to remove residue and unwanted smells.
• Cover up the smell of food by spraying bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or Windex around and inside the trash can.
• Keep food scraps in the freezer until garbage day.

Another way to keep animals and bugs away is to use deterrents:

• Install motion-activated lights near your trash cans to scare away nocturnal animals.
• Stake Christmas lights around your garbage cans, as the lights scare raccoons and other animals.
• Build a chicken-wire box for your trash cans to prevent animals from opening the lids.
• Use over-the-counter animal repellent sprays on your trash cans and trash.
• Spread natural herbs, such as mint, around trash cans to repel insects and other animals.
• Make a homemade spray with hot peppers, onions, and cayenne pepper, and spray it around the area where your trash cans sit.
• Make a citrus spray with lemon, orange, grapefruit, or lime juice and water, and spritz it on the outside of trash cans and inside the lids.

How to reduce and prevent odours and liquids

• Line your bin with paper products, such as newspaper, or certified compostable bags. This will help to keep your bin clean and prevent food waste from sticking to or freezing onto the sides and bottom of the bin.
• Place your green bin out for collection every week, even if it's only partially full. This will help with odours and reduce the amount of time food sits in your bin.
• Rinse your green bin regularly with water, lemon juice, vinegar, or baking soda to eliminate odours and keep it clean.
• Place spoiled food in your green bin just before collection day. Consider freezing meat and bones in paper bags and placing them in your bin on collection day.
• Let fats and grease cool and harden, then put them into the green bin.
• Put layers of absorbent paper, such as newspaper, cardboard, or shredded paper, in your lined bin to absorb liquids.
• Use your backyard composter for food waste that has a high liquid content.
• Avoid placing your bin in direct sunlight, as this can accelerate the decomposition process and increase odours.
• Keep your bin closed at all times to prevent pests and flies from getting inside.
• Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda, baking soda, or cat litter at the bottom of your bin to absorb odours and liquids.
• Wrap strong-smelling food waste, such as onions or meat, in newspaper before discarding it.
• Use natural odour-masking agents such as lemons, citrus peels, or vanilla extract.

Frequently asked questions