A green bin is a large, movable, rigid plastic or metal container that contains biodegradable waste or compostable materials as a means to divert waste from landfills. In some local authorities, green bins are also used to contain unsorted municipal solid waste.
The program's purpose is to reduce the amount of waste shipped to landfills by recycling biodegradable waste into compost. The programs collect kitchen and related organic waste (typically including soiled paper products, pet waste, sawdust, and similar items) using a waist-high green curbside container, for which the programs are named. The municipality picks up the waste on a regular basis along with other garbage and recycling collections, and composts it at an industrial composting facility. While it is true that home composting can also serve this purpose, the green bin programs are viewed as being more convenient and more inclusive of source materials.
Green bins by country
Canada
The following municipalities have implemented a Green Bin program:
Beaumont, Alberta
Calgary, Alberta
Coaldale, Alberta
Dufferin County's Green Bin program has been in full operation since 2007. Durham Region, Ontario's Green Bin program initially began with Scugog, Uxbridge, Brock and Clarington, but has since been expanded to all municipalities in the Region since 2006. Edmonton, Alberta Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta Guelph, Ontario has had a "Green" compost program for several years The Halifax Regional Municipality has had Green Bin collection in urban areas since 1998. Hamilton, Ontario had originally implemented its "Green Bin" program to houses in 2006 and is the first city to recently spread the project to apartment buildings and complexes to reduce waste by 35% to ease the garbage in Hamilton's only operational landfill. Lethbridge, Alberta starting in 2023. Morinville, Alberta Ottawa, Ontario has a Green Bin program in operation since January 2010, with service to apartments and multi-residential units to follow. Peel Region, Ontario's Green Bin program began on April 2, 2007. Red Deer, Alberta Richmond, British Columbia's Green Cart program has been around since 2009 and accepts all food scraps and yard trimmings. Rocky Mountain House, Alberta Spruce Grove, Alberta St. Albert, Alberta Stony Plain, Alberta Strathcona County, Alberta Vancouver, British Columbia Sudbury, Ontario introduced "Green Cart" program in 2009. Taber, Alberta Toronto, Ontario began its program in the Etobicoke area in 2002, and expanded it in subsequent years until the entire city was covered in 2005. York Region, Ontario has implemented a Green Bin program throughout the region as of September 17, 2007. The city of Markham, the first York Region municipality to implement the program, began its Green Bin collection program as part of its "Mission Green" in the fall of 2004 with implementation to 12,500 single-family residences. "Mission Green" is Markham's plan to divert 70% of its waste from landfill. In July 2005, the program was expanded citywide.
Compliance
Green bin programs have thus far been optional for residents excluding those in Hamilton, Ontario. Many residents willingly cooperate with the programs.
In Toronto, as of March 2006, the program was diverting 100,000 tonnes from landfill each year.
In Markham, over 90% of residents put out green bins and blue boxes each week. Including other recycling programs, 65% of waste is being diverted from landfill.
In Durham Region, the introduction of the Green Bin in July 2006, coupled with an increase in pickup frequency for other recyclables, has led to a 39% decrease on tonnage sent to landfill compared to July 2005.
In Simcoe County, the introduction of the Green Bin on Sept 29th, 2008 to 16 municipalities, coupled with the weekly pickup for other recyclables, has led to a 50% diversion rate during the initial weeks of the program. This is an increase of approximately 20% over the same period last year.
In all programs, some residents perceive an increase in workload related to garbage handling, and object to the program on that basis. In Durham Region, some residents object to a requirement to use biodegradable liner bags, which adds a cost to the home-owner that does not exist in Toronto. The York Region and Toronto Green Bin programs allow residents to use regular plastic grocery sacks as liner bags.