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 buildings with more than 6 units, 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 late September 2023.

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.

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

To help make sure that waste collection services can continue to be delivered on schedule as the community continues to grow and to improve worker safety by balancing collection routes, weekly waste collection days will be changing for approximately 8,200 households starting October 31, 2023. Anyone affected by the date change will receive notices delivered to their home or business.

You can search our interactive map by address to confirm your collection date.

Search the Collection Day map

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.

Glad Canada is the official sponsor of the Green Bin rollout. 

Two types of liner bags 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.

Green Bin tips

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

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.