Are you using your green bin the right way?
Your guide to sorting organic waste at home
As we get ready for another warm summer in Toronto, it’s a good time to think about the green bin. Many people overlook this part of our waste system at Toronto Community Housing (TCHC).
Use the green bin for organic waste such as food scraps, pet waste, diapers, and sanitary products. The City of Toronto turns this waste into high-quality compost used on farms and in gardens. You can learn more by watching this video here.
About 40 percent of the waste that people throw in the garbage in Toronto could go in the green bin instead. In TCHC buildings, using the green bin is especially important. It helps reduce bad smells and pests in our buildings.
What goes in the green bin?
The green bin is mainly for unpackaged food waste. This includes:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat and bones
- Eggshells
- Nuts and seeds
- Bread and baked goods
You can also put other items in the green bin, including:
- Paper napkins and paper towels
- Coffee grounds and coffee filters
- Houseplants and soil
- Pet waste
- Diapers and sanitary products
What does not go in the green bin?
It is important to keep the green bin free of items that cannot be composted. Do not put these items in the green bin:
- Plastic food containers
- Aluminum plates and trays
- Foam trays
- Absorbent pads
- Plastic wrap
Put these items in the blue recycling bin instead.
Some common items also do not compost and must go in the garbage, including:
- Wax or plastic-coated plates and packaging
- Chopsticks
- Popsicle sticks and toothpicks
- Hair or pet fur
- Gum
- Wine corks
- Cigarette butts
Even if an item says “compostable” or “biodegradable,” such as plastic bags or coffee pods, do not put it in the green bin. Put these items in the garbage instead.
Why should you use the green bin?
Using the green bin helps reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills. But there is another important reason to use it in TCHC buildings.
When people throw food waste down the garbage chute, it can rot in garbage rooms and compactors. In the summer, this can cause strong smells that spread through the building.
Food scraps also attract pests such as rats, mice, and cockroaches. When we keep food waste out of the garbage chute and put it in the green bin instead, we make our buildings less attractive to pests.
Using the green bin is a simple step. It helps keep TCHC buildings cleaner, safer, and more comfortable for everyone.
