Green Bin Distribution Begins For New Organic Waste Collection Service
/The City of Peterborough’s Green Bin distribution has begun deliveries to roughly 28,000 eligible households with weekly collection service beginning the week of Oct. 31 announced on Wednesday.
File Photo.
The new service is intended to reduce the amount of garbage going to the landfill, extending its life and promoting sustainability by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions according to a press release.
By diverting organic waste from the landfill and converting it into valuable compost, we are taking a vital step toward a cleaner and healthier environment, said Mayor Jeff Leal.
“Residents have been asking the City for this service,” he said. “I’m excited for this initiative that reduces the environmental impact of waste disposal and also contributes to the creation of nutrient-rich compost.”
Peterborough residents currently divert about 53 per cent of waste through programs such as the Blue Box for recyclables, the household hazardous waste collection depot and yard waste collection according to the City. The Green Bin service is anticipated to divert an additional 15 to 20 per cent of garbage.
Delivery of the Green Bins to households will be completed over the next several weeks leading up to the program's launch. There is no additional fee to households to get the Green Bins and a smaller container for use in the kitchen which are included in the implementation of the new service.
The bins are designed to conveniently collect organic waste including food scraps and other compostable materials. They include a pest-proof locking mechanism to keep the organic materials securely contained.
Residents are asked to look inside the Green Bin when it is delivered to find an information kit that includes:
A guide on Green Bin, recycling, yard waste and garbage services
A calendar that shows collection schedules
An information sheet on the Green Bin service, including a list of what can and cannot go in the Green Bin
An information sheet on the new requirement to use clear bags for curbside garbage collection
Samples of clear garbage bags and a coupon to assist with transitioning to the requirement to use clear garbage bags and compostable liners for the Green Bin that GLAD Canada provides as part of its sponsorship of the rollout kits.
“Battery Cube” sponsored by Call2Recyle. The battery cube is a small cardboard storage unit for used batteries that can be dropped off at collection sites for proper disposal. The City of Peterborough and Call2Recycle want to ensure hazardous waste products like batteries are diverted from our landfills.
Residents are advised not to start putting food waste and other organic materials into the Green Bins until Oct. 23 – the week before the weekly Green Bin collection service starts on Oct. 31.
The new Green Bin service is one of several changes to waste services that start the week of Oct.31:
Weekly Green Bin collection
Bi-weekly garbage collection (except for the Downtown Business Improvement Area, which maintains its current collection schedule)
Clear bag requirement for curbside garbage collection for all homes and businesses that receive City waste collection
