Green Bin

If you are moving within the City of Peterborough, always leave the Green Bin at the address where it was delivered. Don't take it with you when you move. Green bins are registered by a serial number to your residential address. 

If you are moving to the City of Peterborough, the Green bin that was delivered to your address should still be there. If your green bin is not at the home please call 705-742-7777 ext. 1891#.

If you are moving to a new build please call 705-742-7777 ext. 1891# when you take occupancy to arrange a bin delivery.

Green bins are provided to addresses with 6 units or fewer.

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)

Note: Yard waste (like brush and leaves) is collected separately and should be disposed of separately.

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

Note: Yard waste (like brush and leaves) will be collected separately and should be disposed of separately.

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.

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.

• Place your Green Bin at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Check your collection schedule.
• Do not place your Green Bin at the curb any earlier than 6 p.m. the day before.

Carts are emptied using a mechanical arm on the collection truck, which is an efficient touch-free system that helps to improve worker safety. The mechanical arm can only function with the following mandatory set-out requirements:

• Point the arrows on the Green Bin Lid toward the street and handle toward your house. The lid fastener can be in the locked position.
• Leave at least 2 feet (0.6 metres) of clearance between your Green Bin and other items such as blue boxes, yard waste or clear garbage bags.
• Do not over-stuff Green Bins, fill loosely and ensure the lid is fully closed.
• Do not use bungee cords or other items to keep the Green Bin lids closed.
• Only the large curbside Green Bin provided by the City will be emptied at the curb. Do not place the kitchen catcher container or any other alternative container at the curb for collection.

Winter tips

Snowbanks pose a challenge for Green Bin collection. To help ensure safe and effective collection of your Green Bin, please place your bin:

• at the edge of your driveway
• on a level, cleared spot on a boulevard
• bins should not be placed on top of snowbanks. 

Green bins will not be collected if they are not accessible for the collection vehicle.

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.

Winter Green Bin tips

• Layer up: to prevent the contents of your Green Bin from freezing to the sides or bottom of the bin and not being fully collected, you can line the bottom of your bin with a layer of cardboard, a cardboard egg carton (no plastic) or a few layers of newspaper. Adding layers between contents (for example, a layer of newspaper between the compostable liner bags from your kitchen catcher) will further help to prevent liquids from pooling and freezing in your bin.

If possible, keep your Green Bin in a shed, garage or in a sheltered area against an exterior wall to prevent ice and snow from building up on the lid.

No access to a sheltered area for storage?

• Keep the bin in a sunny location
• Clear off the top of your bin when snow and ice is accumulating