Green Bin

The City of Brantford has launched a new Green Bin program where residents are asked to separate household organic waste from their regular garbage. Green Bin collection will take place with weekly scheduled collection in your area. The bin must be placed at the curb before 7 a.m. on your day of collection.

In order to extend the life of the Mohawk Street Landfill, we need to reduce the amount of waste that ends up at the landfill. Existing programs such as Recycling and Yard Waste only divert 34% of our waste. To reach the City’s ultimate goal of Zero Waste, we need to increase waste diversion to 70% by 2050. By participating in a Green Bin Program, household organic waste will not only be diverted to an organics processing facility where it will be made into nutrient-rich compost, it will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the landfill.

Acceptable items

Food Waste
  • Baked goods (cakes, pies, muffins, cookies snack foods, etc.)
  • Breads, buns, pitas, etc.
  • Coffee grounds and filters, tea bags and leaves
  • Corn cobs and husks
  • Dairy products
  • Eggs and eggshells
  • Food liquids including oils and grease (500 ml or less)
  • Frozen foods (all packaging removed)
  • Fruits and seeds
  • Meat, poultry and fish (including bones)
  • Nuts
  • Pasta, flour and grains
  • Pet food (wet and dry) and bird seed
  • Pumpkins (in pieces)
  • Salads and dressings
  • Sauces and gravies
  • Solid fats/grease (lard, butter and bacon fat)
  • Syrups, jams, jellies and food spreads such as peanut butter
  • Vegetables and peelings
Paper Fibre

Any paper fibre products that have been soiled by food can be placed in the green bin, including: 

  • Paper bags (popcorn, sugar, potato and flour)
  • Paper muffin cups
  • Paper plates
  • Paper takeout containers
  • Paper towels, napkins and tissues
  • Parchment paper
  • Pizza boxes (broken down)
  • Soiled paper egg cartons
Other Compostable Items
  • Bamboo cutlery
  • Cut flowers (all containers and decorations removed)
  • House plants (with soil, containers and decorations removed), stem less than 1” (2.5cm) in diameter
  • Shredded paper

Unacceptable items

  • Diapers, hygiene products
  • Grass clippings and yard waste
  • Noxious plants and/or weeds as defined by the Weed Control Act (wild parsnip, giant hogweed, poison ivy, poison sumac, stinging nettle)
  • Paper towel(s) saturated with cleaning products
  • Pet Waste
  • Plastic bags

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is not eligible?
Residential units that receive private waste collection services or are Industrial, commercial and/or Institutional locations outside of the Daily Collection Route are not eligible to participate in the Green Bin program at this time.
How will the organic bins be collected? 
Residents involved with the program will place their green bin out to the curb by 7:00 am (9:00 am in the downtown) on their regular scheduled collection day but not before 7:00 pm the day before (12:00 am midnight in the downtown). All curbside materials will be collected provided that they are separated correctly in the appropriate containers.
What happens to the organics collected?
Your green bin will be picked up at the curb on your regular scheduled collection day. The organics truck will transport the organics to an offsite processing facility. Operation of this licensed facility is audited by both the City of Brantford and the Province of Ontario. The organics will be processed into organic solid material which will then be turned into compost. Ensuring the proper separation of the organic materials by residents will increase waste diversion and help create finished compost of useable quality.
How do I prevent odours and pests?
  • Line it – Although it is not a requirement, you may want to line your kitchen catcher and/or green bin to keep them clean and reduce odours. You can also place paper egg cartons or balled up newspaper in the bottom of your green bin to help contents easily empty out. If you choose to line your kitchen catcher and/or green bin, you must use one of the following:
    • Paper bags
    • Paper towels
    • Newspapers
    • Compostable liner bags certified with the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) logo
  • Wrap it – Wrap food scraps in recycled newspaper or paper towel to help keep the bin clean.
  • Layer it – Alternate layers of food scraps with newspaper to absorb excess moisture.
  • Freeze it – If possible freeze meat scraps and bones until collection day.
  • Store it – Keep your green bin out of the summer sun, and somewhere shady and cool. Keep your green bin away from decks, railings or stairs that animals can use to reach it.
  • Empty it – Set your green bin out for collection every week on your garbage day, even if it is not full. Make sure lid is locked.
  • Clean it – Rinse your green bin/kitchen container with mild detergent or vinegar/water solution to reduce odours.
Why do I have a tag on my green bin?

Check to see what box was checked to find out why you received a tag. Residents can contact the City at 519-759-4150 for clarification.

Will I be reimbursed for the cost of my bin if I purchase one from a retailer?
No, you will not be reimbursed for bins purchased from a retailer.
I'm not sure what to do with an unwanted item?

Use the Recycle Coach waste app to look up how to properly dispose of certain items.

My building is not participating in the Green Bin Program. How can I participate in the program?

Please provide the City with your address and landlord information by contacting Customer Service at 519-759-4150. There is also the opportunity to participate in the Green Bin program by taking materials to the Mohawk Street Landfill, located at 20 Morrison Road for disposal.

What if I didn't receive a green bin?

Residents can pick up a Green Bin at the Mohawk Street Landfill, located at 20 Morrison Road.

How often will the green bins be picked up?

Green Bin collection will take place with weekly scheduled collection in your area.

What do I do if my Green Bin doesn't get picked up?

If your green bin doesn’t get picked up, residents are reminded that the City’s Collection Contractor has until 5 p.m. to complete collection activities on collection days. Please note that the City will only accept reports of missed collection the morning after a resident’s scheduled collection day. 
Report a Garbage, Recycling, Organics or Yard Waste Collection Issue

What are the Container Sizes in order to purchase the correct size of compostable liners?
  • Kitchen Collector: 7 litre – store in kitchen
  • Small Green Bin: 45 litre – single family homes
  • Large Green Bin: 120 litre – multi residential
What is the maximum weight that I can fill my Green Bin?

Green bins cannot weigh more than 25 kilograms (55 pounds).

What if the Green Bin is constantly being tagged for overweight?

Residents can pick up an extra Green Bin so bin won’t be overweight.

What if I break my Green Bin?

Please bring your damaged Green Bin to the Mohawk Street Landfill. Replacement Green Bins can be picked up at the Mohawk Street Landfill, located at 20 Morrison Road.

Can I have more than one Green Bin?

Yes. Green bins cannot weigh more than 25 kilograms (55 pounds). If you require more than one green bin, you can pick up another one at the Mohawk Street Landfill, located at 20 Morrison Road. 

Can I get a new Kitchen Container? 

If you are a new resident or are new starting the green bin program and require a kitchen container, you can pick one at the Mohawk Street Landfill, located at 20 Morrison Road. 

What do I do if my Kitchen Container is damaged?

Please bring your damaged kitchen container to the Mohawk Street Landfill, located at 20 Morrison Road for a replacement.

How will I know which Green Bin is mine?

Write your address on your green bin in permanent marker on the back white strip. It will be easier to find if it blows away. 

Green Bin Winter Collection Tips: 
  • In the winter, place your green bin on cleared parts of your driveway. Do not put them on top of snowbanks or icy patches. 
  • To prevent the content of your Green Bin from freezing:
    • Line your green bin with soiled pizza boxes or egg cartons to prevent organic waste from freezing to the sides of the Green Bin.  
    • Place crumbled newspaper at the bottom of your green cart or use a paper and yard waste bag to line your bin. 
    • Continue to layer paper between the materials in your green bin. 
    • Material can also be wrapped in newspaper, paper bags or other compostable boxes (i.e. cereal box, frozen food box etc.) 
    • Keep material loose to ensure your Green Bin waste shakes out. You can keep contents loose by layering wet and dry waste. 
    • If possible keep your Green Bin in a shed, garage, or in a sheltered spot against an exterior wall of your home. 
  • In extreme cold, your green bin may not lock properly. If you are having trouble locking your green bin, try standing behind the bin, place your hands flat on the lid and press down firmly before locking the red latch with your fingers.

Green Bin Liners

Green Bins may be lined to assist with proper container maintenance. Only certified compostable or paper liners will be accepted. Plastic bags are not permitted.

Certified compostable liners will have one of the following logos on the packaging;

Certified Compostable linerCompostable Certified Liner