Do you know what can and can’t go in the green bin?

Do you know what can and what can’t go into the green organics bin? The City of Barrie says unacceptable items are often found in the organics waste stream after curbside collection, including diapers, personal hygiene products and plastics.

“The City is seeing an increase in plastic being put in the organics waste stream collected curbside,” the City stated.

Residents using container liners must use certified compostable bags, paper bags or newspaper, not plastic bags.

“Even plastic bags labelled as biodegradable, degradable, or oxo degradable do not break down in the municipal composting process and are not accepted in Barrie’s organics program,” the City explained.

As for what can go into the green bin, here’s a list of acceptable items:

• All food scraps and leftovers, including bones
• Coffee grounds and filters, tea bags
• Cooking oils and grease
• Soiled pizza boxes
• Fast food drink trays
• Hair (including from pets)
• Pet waste and plant-based kitty litter
• Small animal bedding
• Dried flowers
• Eggs and egg shells
• House plants
• Microwave popcorn bags
• Paper egg cartons, paper cups, paper plates
• Napkins and tissues
• Popsicle sticks, wooden toothpicks
• Pumpkins
• Wood wine corks, cooled wood ashes

Items that should not be tossed into the organics bin include:

• Diapers and hygiene products
• Plastic bags, wrap or containers
• Plastic bags labelled as biodegradable
• Sod, soil or rocks
• Yard waste
• Dryer lint
• Bandages, gauze
• Styrofoam
• Textiles
• Vacuum bags and contents
• Dead animals
• Ceramics
• Drinking straws
• Construction or demolition waste, treated wood

Green bins are collected weekly. In September, the City will transition to a new automated cart collection service that includes new waste and organics bins.

Residents can get a kitchen catcher or curbside organics bin for free by contacting ServiceBarrie.ca.