Introduction
The Green Bin program is the new addition to waste diversion in Muskoka. This new program, along with Blue Box recycling and the proper disposal of other wastes, such as household hazardous waste and e-waste, will help Muskoka to achieve the provincial target of 60% waste diversion.
The Green Bin program will be introduced in the urban areas of Bracebridge,
Gravenhurst and Huntsville in the spring of 2008. With some minor exceptions, the boundaries of the service areas are the same as those of the leaf and yard waste collection program that has been in place for several years.
Each household within the service areas will be provided with:
• One mini “Kitchen Catcher” container
• One large curbside Green Bin
• One program brochure
• One fridge magnet with basic program details
The Bins
The mini Kitchen Catcher has a capacity of 1.9 gallons and is intended for indoor use in an easily accessible location, e.g. under the kitchen sink or inside a cupboard. Once the Kitchen Catcher is full it is to be emptied into the Green Bin, which is usually kept
outdoors. The larger Green Bin has a capacity of 13 gallons, is accessible from the top, has wheels for easy transport and is equipped with a latch for secure closure.
Collection Day
Muskoka asks that all Green Bins, along with household garbage and recycling, be at curbside no later than 8:00 am on your scheduled collection day. During bi-weekly
garbage collection months, kitchen organics will continue to be collected weekly, just as recyclable materials are. Consult your Garbage and Recycling Collection Guide for further details.
Basic Notes
• Please keep your bin and surrounding area tidy when at curbside.
• Please ensure that your bin is properly latched before putting it at curbside.
• Do not be alarmed if you see a garbage truck collecting your organic waste.
Collection vehicles are equipped with two compartments to keep organics and household waste separate.
• Unacceptable materials in the green bins will result in your bin being left behind. It will then be your responsibility to remove the material from the bin before it will be collected the following week.
• Properties served by the Green Bin program may set out only two bags of garbage per week (four bags per collection during bi-weekly pick-up).
Muskoka's Green Bin Program
ACCEPTABLE & NOT ACCEPTABLE CHECK-LIST
ACCEPTABLE Food
Vegetables Fruit
Bones Cereal Nuts
Coffee grounds & filters Dairy products
Other Cotton balls Facial tissues
Paper towel & napkins Shredded paper Paper plates
Greasy pizza boxes Popcorn bags Muffin paper cups Drink trays
Eggs & eggshells Flour & grains
Tea bags & loose tea Sauces
COOKED meat, poultry & fish Pasta & rice
Baked goods
Fibre egg cartons Houseplant trimmings Garden trimmings
Sawdust
Wood chippings Hair & pet fur Dryer lint
Popsicle sticks & toothpicks
UNACCEPTABLE
RAW meat, fish & poultry Clothing & textiles Plastics of any sort Disposable mop sheets Metals of any sort Cigarette butts & ashes
Grease & fat Rubber products
Aluminum foil & plastic wrap Oils & lubricants
Medical waste (gauze, bandages etc.) Polystyrene foam
Diapers & wipes Take-out cups
Feminine hygiene products Twist ties
Kitty litter & pet waste Wax cartons & paper
Animal bedding (shavings etc.) Construction/Demolition waste
Dead animals Treated wood products
Invasive weeds Hazardous waste
FAQ's on Composting
Q: Why has Muskoka chosen the Green Bin program?
A: Through curbside collection programs, Muskoka currently diverts recyclable fibres and containers, leaf and yard waste. At its landfill sites and transfer stations, Muskoka diverts electronic waste, household hazardous waste, scrap metal and wood, used tires, propane tanks and “white goods” such as washing machines, ranges, etc. Also, there are re-use buildings for "gently used" items. However, to achieve the provincial target of 60% diversion, Muskoka must start removing organic material from the waste stream.
Kitchen organics will be collected through the Green Bin program and composted as part of Muskoka’s overall diversion strategy.
Q: What are organics?
A: Organics are materials such as fruits, vegetables, cooked meats, dairy products and grains that will naturally decompose and become compost. With the Green Bin program, organics can be separated from household garbage, turned into compost and put to a good use.
Q: Is participation in the Green Bin program mandatory?
A: No, however, we strongly urge residents to participate as the weekly curbside garbage bag limit will be reduced to two (2) for those residents who live within the service areas for the Green Bin program.
Q: What do I do with my Green Bin on collection day?
A: The same procedure applies to the Green Bin as it does for your recycling. On your collection day, place your green bin at curbside by 8:00 am and the collection truck will come by to empty it.
Q: Why did the garbage truck take my organics?
A: Don't be alarmed if you see this. Each garbage truck is equipped with two
separate compartments, one for garbage and another for organic waste. Even though the material is dumped into the same door, each compartment has a separate shoot.
Q: What is the smaller Kitchen Catcher bin for?
A: The small beige bin is commonly known as the “Kitchen Catcher” container and is for daily household convenience. Generally placed under the kitchen sink or fastened to a cupboard, this saves a trip to the Green Bin every time you want to dispose of your organics and saves having the larger Green Bin indoors. The Kitchen Catcher can then be emptied into the Green Bin as needed.
FAQ's on Composting Q: Why should I compost?
A: Composting is a major factor in waste reduction, and will help Muskoka to achieve the 60% diversion goal set by the province.
Q: Will residents of apartment buildings and condominiums be able to participate?
A: Muskoka’s policy is to provide waste collection services to properties with up to four residential units. Apartments and condominiums with more than four units must deal with their waste management requirements privately. For more information contact Muskoka’s Engineering and Public Works Department at (705) 645-6764 or 1-800-281- 3483.
Q: When will collection be during the bi-weekly collection months?
A: During bi-weekly collection months, kitchen organics will continue to be collected on a weekly basis, just as recyclable materials are. Please consult your garbage and recycling collection guide for details.
Q: Will either bin create an odour?
A: Odours should not be a problem. However, to prevent odours indoors, it is
recommended that you empty the Kitchen Catcher frequently and wash both bins with hot soapy water. If possible, store your green bin in a cool, shaded area, such as the garage. If you do not have a garage, try to select a shaded area. Odours can be neutralized with household vinegar.
Q: Are the Green Bins animal proof?
A: Each Green Bin is equipped with a latch to securely fasten the lid, which helps to prevent interference by animals as well as spills. If you use Green Bin liners, make sure the liner is completely tucked into the bin before placing it at curbside; otherwise animals may use the liner to tip over the bin.
Q: What if I already compost in my own backyard?
A: Any form of composting is greatly appreciated, whether it be in your own backyard or through the municipal program. Both will help to achieve Muskoka’s waste reduction goal. A $25.00 rebate is available to residents of Muskoka for the purchase of
backyard compost bins. Rebate application forms are available on Muskoka’s website at www.muskoka.on.ca or by contacting the Engineering and Public Works Department at (705) 645-6764 or 1-800-281-3483.
FAQ's On Municipal Composting
Q: Can I use plastic bags to line my compost bins?
A: No. Muskoka asks that you do not line your Kitchen Catcher or Green Bin with ordinary plastic bags as they will contaminate our finished product and we do not have the technology to filter out contaminants. However, biodegradable liners are available and are designed to fit either bin. Brand names such as Bio-Bag, BIOSAK, Bag-To- Earth, Clorox (GLAD) or Al Pack/Great Value are municipally approved. Look for the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D 6400-04) logo or the logos shown below.
Q: How do I cope with the "yuk" factor?
A: To deal with the sometimes-yucky mess of organics, you can line your bin with approved compostable liners, or line the bottom of your bin(s) with newspaper, shredded paper, paper towel or brown paper bags.
Q: How do organics breakdown?
A: The organics collected through the Green Bin program are broken down by
composting - a natural process of decomposition that takes place both biologically and chemically over time. In Muskoka, organics are broken down in an aerobic
environment. Aerobic decomposition is the natural process in which organic matter is consumed by living organisms that survive on oxygen and carbon.
Q: Does composting produce methane gas and other green house gases?
A: Composting helps to reduce the amount of methane emissions from landfills. If organic material decomposes in landfills anaerobically (without oxygen) methane gas is produced. By composting the organic material in an aerobic environment it will not contribute to methane emissions. Although aerobic composting does produce carbon dioxide – another green house gas – the overall impact of green house gases is dramatically reduced through composting. Methane is twenty times more potent a green house gas than carbon dioxide.
ORGANICS ORIGAMI
Follow these
stepsto make an economical liner
foryour kitchen organics container.
STEP 1 Stack 3 to 4 sheets of folded out newspaper on top of each other.
STEP 3
Fold point B to the top of the paper to meet
STEP 5
Unfold last 2creases made sothe newspaper
creases are your guidelines for the
STEP 7
Take point B and fold across to meet up with the crease on the other sideof the triangle.
f
Fold one corner down to make a triangle,
tear off excess
I STEP 4
Fold point A to the top of the paper to meet at point B and C and make a crease. This will form a square.
Y
STEP 6 Take point
A
and fold across1
bottom of the conta iner.
..
IThis page generously provided by the City of Barrie
