Green Bin household organics collection

We provide weekly Green Bin collection for household organic waste. Find your collection day by entering your address in the online calendar on our Collection Schedule page.

Tips for using your kitchen container and green bin:

Ensure all packaging materials are removed before putting food in the bin.
Leftover meat, fish and bones can be put directly into the bin.
Food scraps may be wrapped in paper towel or newspaper before being placed in the bin to reduce mess and odours.
Leftover foods, including meat and fish, can be kept in the freezer until collection day to help reduce odours.
Let fats, oils and grease cool before scraping into your bin, or wipe with paper towel and dispose in the green bin.

How to get a new green bin

Green bin and smaller kitchen catcher bin The City of Peterborough distributes green bins, smaller containers for use in the kitchen, and information about our collection program to eligible households.

If you need a new Green Bin, or have a broken or missing bin, please call our Public Works office at 705-742-7777 dial 8.

The green bin is a heavy-duty, pest-proof wheeled cart with a locking mechanism on the lid. The Green bin holds 100 litres and is 98.1 cm (38 5/8 in.) tall, 49.5 cm (19 1/2 in.) wide and 62.3 cm (24 1/2 in.) long.

What if I am moving?

If you are moving within the City of Peterborough, always leave the Green Bin at the address where it was delivered. Don't take it with you when you move. Green bins are registered by a serial number to your residential address.

If you are moving to the City of Peterborough, the Green bin that was delivered to your address should still be there. If your green bin is not at the home please call 705-742-7777 ext. 1891#.

If you are moving to a new build please call 705-742-7777 ext. 1891# when you take occupancy to arrange a bin delivery.

Green bins are provided to addresses with 6 units or fewer.

Accepted in the green bin

Food waste

tea bags
coffee grounds and filters
eggs and egg shells
corn cobs and husks
meat, fish and bones
vegetable scraps and peels
shellfish
dairy products
cereal, flour
pasta, bread, grains, rice
nuts and shells
fruit cores, pits, peels
poultry (including bones)
halloween pumpkins (remove candles)
desserts, candy, chocolate
baked goods
food grease and fats
herbs & spices

Paper waste

tissues
paper napkins
food-soiled pizza boxes
paper towels
paper muffin cups (not waxed or parchment)
newspaper from bottom of bird cages
microwavable popcorn bags

Other materials

house plants
household pet waste (no plastic bags)
sawdust from untreated wood only
kitty litter (no plastic liner bags)
hamster / guinea pig cage bedding (wood and cedar shavings)
feathers and hair (animal or human)
cold wood ashes (wet and in a compostable bag)

Note: Yard waste (like brush and leaves) is collected separately and should be disposed of separately.

Not accepted in the green bin

The following items can not be processed at our organics facility and should be disposed of in the garbage or recycling:

plastic bags and milk bags, baggies
plastic food containers
wax or plastic coated paper plates
plastic stir sticks
coffee pods
plastic-lined paper packaging
diapers
popsicle sticks
toothpicks
chopsticks
cotton balls
condoms
artificial plants
carpets and rugs
gum
make-up pads
cigarette butts
meat/fish tray absorbent pads
take out containers
pet pee mats
feminine hygiene products (sanitary pads)
dental floss
wax (candles)
clothing & rags
aluminum pie plates, trays
hot and cold drink cups
baby wipes
wine corks
dead animals
roasting pans
wax and parchment paper
aluminum foil wrap
cotton swabs (Q-tips)
dryer sheets & lint
vacuum bags
disposable mop sheets

Note: Yard waste (like brush and leaves) will be collected separately and should be disposed of separately.

Compostable bags and bin liners

Residents may choose to use a certified compostable liner to help keep the green bin clean. Certified compostable bags may also be used for pet waste.

Two types of liner bags are accepted:

Paper liner bags: these are made specifically for the green bin and are available at local grocery and hardware stores. These bags do not need certification logos. You can also use any other type of paper bag as a liner. When you set out your green bin to the curb for collection, loosen the liner bag away from the rim, sides and bottom of the bin.
Certified compostable liner bags: these bags are made from plant-based material and are tested to ensure that they compost fully. Certified compostable bags are the only type of compostable product that is allowed in our Green Bin program and can be processed at our organics facility.

Certified compostable bags are identified by one or both of these logos:

Please note that products that are not certified BNP or BNQ compostable, such as "oxo-degradable" products, cannot be processed by our composting facility and will not be accepted in green bin collection.

Placing your Green Bin to the curb

Place your Green Bin at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Check your collection schedule.
Do not place your Green Bin at the curb any earlier than 6 p.m. the day before.
Carts are emptied using a mechanical arm on the collection truck, which is an efficient touch-free system that helps to improve worker safety. The mechanical arm can only function with the following mandatory set-out requirements:
- Point the arrows on the Green Bin Lid toward the street and handle toward your house. The lid fastener can be in the locked position.
- Leave at least 2 feet (0.6 metres) of clearance between your Green Bin and other items such as blue boxes, yard waste or clear garbage bags.
- Do not over-stuff Green Bins, fill loosely and ensure the lid is fully closed.
- Do not use bungee cords or other items to keep the Green Bin lids closed.
- Only the large curbside Green Bin provided by the City will be emptied at the curb. Do not place the kitchen catcher container or any other alternative container at the curb for collection.

Winter curbside set-out

Snowbanks pose a challenge for Green Bin collection. To help ensure safe and effective collection of your Green Bin, please place your bin:

at the edge of your driveway
on a level, cleared spot on a boulevard
bins should not be placed on top of snowbanks.

Green bins will not be collected if they are not accessible for the collection vehicle.

Taking care of your Green Bin

Keeping your green bin clean and pest-free

Line your bin with cardboard, newspaper, yard waste bags, paper towels or certified compostable bags.
Sprinkle with baking soda to reduce odours.
Clean your kitchen container and green bin regularly. Bins can be cleaned with dish detergent or vinegar and baking soda.
Place your Green Bin out for curbside collection every week, even if your bin is not full.
Always leave the lock in the vertical, ‘locked’ position. The Bin can be collected with the lid locked.

Winter Green Bin tips

Layer up: to prevent the contents of your Green Bin from freezing to the sides or bottom of the bin and not being fully collected, you can line the bottom of your bin with a layer of cardboard, a cardboard egg carton (no plastic) or a few layers of newspaper. Adding layers between contents (for example, a layer of newspaper between the compostable liner bags from your kitchen catcher) will further help to prevent liquids from pooling and freezing in your bin.

If possible, keep your Green Bin in a shed, garage or in a sheltered area against an exterior wall to prevent ice and snow from building up on the lid.

No access to a sheltered area for storage?

Keep the bin in a sunny location
Clear off the top of your bin when snow and ice is accumulating