What Goes In The Green Bin?

While all Green Bin Programs in Ontario primarily accept food waste, there are other organic materials that are included and unique to each municipal program. Below are details on what materials are acceptable and not acceptable in the EWSWA Green Bin Program.

FOOD WASTE

Cooked / Raw / Bones / Shells / Peels / Rinds

  • Fruits / Vegetables
  • Meat / Poultry / Seafood / Bones
  • Dairy Products / Yogurt / Butter / Cheese
  • Bread / Cereal / Pasta / Noodles / Rice
  • Eggs / Eggshells
  • Baked Goods / Candy
  • Dry Baking Ingredients / Herbs / Spices
  • Nuts / Seeds / Lentils / Beans
  • Coffee Filters / Grounds / Paper Tea Bags
  • Fats / Oils / Grease (FOG)
OTHER ORGANICS

Food-Soiled Paper Products

  • Compostable Bags
  • Soiled Food Paper Packaging / Pizza Boxes 
  • Paper Egg Cartons / Paper Trays / Wooden Utensils / Toothpicks
  • Dryer Lint
  • House Plants (no pots or soil)
  • Pet Food
  • Hair / Pet Hair & Fur
COMPOSTABLE BAGS AS LINERS

Compostable bags can be used as liners in the Green Bin Program, but you must use the following guidelines:

  1. Plastic bags that are non-compostable are NOT acceptable.
  2. They must have these certification logos to ensure the end-product (liquid fertilizer) does not contain residue that comes from plastics: 
     

 

 

 

 

GREEN TIPS:

  1. The green compostable bag that is in your Green Bin Kit is acceptable in this program as it falls within the required certification for this program.
  2. Not all compostable bags are created equally. Buy a reputable brand and like a garbage bag, it may take a few until you find the brand that works for you.
  3. Store compostable bags in a cool, dry place as they do decompose and expire. So don’t overbuy!
  4. Dryer Lint is mostly made of natural fibres (cotton, wool, etc.) but there may be small traces of synthetic fibres (polyester, nylon, etc.). Dryer lint breaks down like paper towels, hair, etc. and therefore is acceptable in this program.

The following materials are not acceptable in the Green Bin Program:

  • Yard Waste
  • Stickers (off fruit / vegetables)
  • Kitty Litter / Pet Waste
  • Cans / Styrofoam / Plastic Containers
  • Chemical-Solied Paper Towels (bleach or cleaners)
  • Cigarettes
  • Plastic Utensils
  • Diapers / Sanitary Products / Wipes

Green Tips:

  1. When buying compostable bags to line your container(s), to keep it tidy you may want to buy a compostable bag that is larger than the container. For example, for the 7L Kitchen Catcher you may choose to use a 10L bag as a liner and similarly a bag that is larger than the 120L Green Bin if you choose to line this bin.  

Why Does Green Bin Set-Out Matter?

It is critical that the EWSWA Green Bin is set-out properly for collection as automated trucks will be used for this program. Use the P-P-S (Park-Point-Space) Method below.

GREEN TIPS:

  1. Set-out exceptions may include but not limited to: roads with street parking, homes with no driveway/space, roads with alternating street parking, one-way streets, etc.
  2. Only the EWSWA Green Bin will be serviced for the Green Bin Program in order to ensure compatibility with automated collection trucks.

Measuring Success

 

Gold Star Sticker

We’ll be monitoring participation and checking how well residents follow proper bin set-out guidelines and place only accepted items in the Green Bin. If you receive a Gold Star, give yourself a big thumbs up — it means you're a Green Superhero!

Gold Stars are awarded at random by the collector, and there’s no need to register for this program.

Oops Sticker

An Oops Sticker on the Green Bin indicates that the collector found an issue—either with how the bin was placed or with the unacceptable items inside. As a result, they were not able to collect.

 

Kitchen Catcher Take Back Program

If you don't plan to use the Kitchen Catcher (KC), please give it a new life by dropping it off at the Windsor Public Drop Off Depot (3560 North Service Rd. E., Windsor, ON). Unused KCs can be dropped off at the Fibre Recycling Centre Office and used KCs can be recycled at the Plastic Flower Pot area on the yard Waste Pad at this address.

Contact Us

Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority
360 Fairview Avenue West, Suite 211
Essex, ON N8M 3G4
Customer Service Support
1-800-563-3377

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