Green Bin household organics collection

This fall, the Green Bin program is being rolled out to most residential properties in the City of Peterborough, except for multi-residential and condominium properties that receive private waste collection services.

The City of Peterborough will be distributing green bins, smaller containers for use in the kitchen, and information about the new collection program, to eligible households starting in September 2023.

The green bin is a heavy-duty, pest-proof wheeled cart with a locking mechanism on the lid.

You can contact us if you haven't received a green bin by mid-October.

Green bins will be collected weekly, on the same day as your recycling. 

The City is presently working on optimizing collection routes and schedules, so there is the potential that some residences will see their day of collection change. However, everyone will get the same level of service, regardless as to where they live.

Once routes are finalized, the City will provide updated information accordingly, including a Waste Management Collection Calendar that will identify all collection schedules effective October 31, 2023.

Collection calendars will be included in the new program information kits delivered to all single family residences between mid-September and mid-October.

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)

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

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.

There are two types of liner bags that are accepted:

1. 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. 
2. 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.