Brantford trash collection about to go green

City officials are hoping to see a lot of green bins at the curbs of Brantford homes as organic waste collection begins November 1.

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“Our first goal is to roll out the program and get everyone to start using their green bin,” Selvi Kongara, the city’s director of environmental services, said. “It can take time for residents to get used to something new.

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“We’re encouraging them to separate their organic waste for their green bin so that it becomes as routine as putting recyclables in a blue box.”

Public meetings in each ward throughout September to introduce the program were well-attended, Kongara said.

“We had between 60 and 100 people attend each of the meetings, which is pretty good when compared to what we usually see at our public meetings,” Kongara said. “The feedback, for the most part, was positive.

“People said they were interested in using their green bins and just needed to get used to it.”

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City officials delivered green bins and kitchen catchers to about 35,000 residents in September.

Collection of green bins takes place on the same day as garbage and recycling collection.

“The program is important for a couple of reasons including extending the life of our landfill,” Kongara said. “Finding space for a new landfill is expensive and time consuming.

“Keeping the existing one operating for as long as possible is important for the city and its residents.”

Green bins, just like the blue box and yard waste collection diverts waste from the landfill saving space for future generations.

“Our goal is zero waste which is really quite ambitious,” Kongara said. “But for now, what we’d really like to do is get to a 70 per cent diversion rate by 2050.”

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The green bin program will also help the city reduce its greenhouse gasses.

“When organic waste breaks down it generates methane and carbon dioxide – greenhouse gases,” Kongara said. “Collecting it and arranging to have it converted into compost, we’re saving space and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.

The distribution of the bins included information about the program and a list of acceptable and unacceptable items.

Acceptable items include food waste such as baked goods (cakes, pies, muffins), coffee grounds and filters, tea bags and leaves, corn cobs and husks, dairy products, eggs and egg shells.

Unacceptable items include such things as noxious plants or weeds, pet waste, diapers, hygiene products and plastic bags.

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Although lining green bins and kitchen catchers with paper bags or paper towels isn’t a requirement, it can help keep them clean and reduce odors.

Meat scraps and bones can be frozen until collection day.

For a complete list of acceptable and unacceptable items and how to best use the bins visit www.Brantford.ca/GreenBin.

City officials also advise residents to put out their green bin for collection each week and to ensure it is locked.

Green bins should be kept in shady, cooler areas and out of the sun during the summer. They should be kept away from decks, railings or stairs that animals can use to reach it.

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