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General Information:
Q: I’d like to learn more about the Green Bin program. Where can I get more information?
The Ottawa Green Bin program is a new recycling initiative which involves collecting residential organic waste and turning it into compost.
Using the green bin will help the City reach diversion targets set by the government of Ontario, by reclaiming and recycling the organic material that currently makes up over 45 per cent of residential waste.
In doing so, the program will extend the life of current landfills, helping the City avoid spending hundreds of millions of dollars on sourcing and setting up new landfills.
To learn more about this program, visit greenbinottawa.ca (or bacvertottawa.ca). There you will find downloadable resources such as a list of acceptable items, user guide and more.
Collection Calendar:
Q: I did not receive my Collection Calendar. How do I figure out my collection date for the green bin?
2009-2011 Collection Calendars were distributed in the mail in November 2009. We have a new format this year, which looks more like a calendar. If you did not receive your calendar, you can contact 3-1-1 to have a hardcopy delivered, pick one up at the client service center nearest you, or you can view it online at ottawa.ca/collectioncalendar
Damaged Bins:
Q: My bin has been damaged. How do I get a new bin?
If your green bin has been damaged, please contact 3-1-1. They will arrange to pick up the damaged green bin and deliver a new one to your residence free of charge.
Q: I’ve heard rumours that the bins are breaking. Is this true?
There have been limited cases with pilot program users, which we’ve traced back to a faulty mechanism on one of the lift trucks. This was corrected prior to general collection
Please note that the green bins are under warrantee by the manufacturer. Bins that are broken will be replaced at no cost to the taxpayer. . If residents are experiencing issues with their bin, they can contact 3-1-1 or
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.
Bins Not Delivered:
Q: I did not receive my bin. How do I get one?
The City of Ottawa’s Green Bin program will roll out in three phases between 2009 and 2012. You may not have received a bin simply because your residence may not be included in the Phase One roll-out. Please consult the phase-in schedule below:
Phase 1a: The current phase sees collection for most Ottawa homes, specifically single residential properties, low-rise multi-unit residential properties with six units or less, rural village and estate residents with curb-side pick up.
The next stage (Phase 1b) will see the remaining multi-unit housing with curb side collection receive their green bins and begin participating in the program before the end of 2010.
Phase 2 (2011) will include high-rise, multi-unit residential properties.
Phase 3 (2012), with Council’s approval) will include the rural properties that were not included in the leaf and yard waste / organics collection over the duration of the last contract.
If you did not receive your bin, but are part of the Phase 1 rollout, please contact 3-1-1 or
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. They will arrange for a bin to be delivered to you.
Paper Liners:
Q: Where can I buy paper liners for my green bin or kitchen container?
While it’s not necessary to use paper liners for your green bin, there are two sizes of paper liner bags available at most major retailers, one for the kitchen container and one for the green bin. You can also use leaf and yard waste paper bags in the larger green bin.
Old newspapers can be used to line the bin. Instructions on how to create an Origami Bin Liner from old newspapers for the kitchen container are available on the City’s website at:
Paper liners are available for sale at most major retailers including:
· Canadian Tire
· Home Depot
· Home Hardware
· Loblaws
· Metro
· Rona
· Sobeys
· Zellers
· Costco
Q: I could not get liners for my bin at the retailers suggested. Why?
It may take two to three weeks for retailers to adjust to the demand for the paper liners now collection has started. The City of Ottawa has been communicating program requirements to the retailers throughout the year leading up to the collection in 2010, but estimating retail quantities for any new, in-demand product can often be a challenge for retailers.
Q: What do I line my containers with in the meantime?
It is not necessary to line your kitchen or green bin container. However, residents may find that doing so helps keep their bins neat, or contents from freezing to the bin in the winter time. If you are unable to purchase paper liners at this time, you can also use newspaper or any other paper-based product (like cereal boxes or waxed milk cartons) to line the bottom of your container(s). Wrapping items in newsprint or flyers prior to placement in the Green Bin will also help to keep the containers clean until you can obtain more purchased paper liners.
Q: What about compostable or biodegradable plastic bin liners? Can we use these?
No. Our green bin program is plastic free. Accepting plastic of any sort into the green bin program comes at considerable extra cost. The only acceptable liners are paper.
Pet waste:
Q: Are dog feces accepted in the green bin?
The City has made a change to its list of acceptable Green Bin organics materials to eliminate dog feces.
The City was recently been informed by the Ottawa compost processing facility that it can not include an allowance for the inclusion of dog feces as an acceptable material. The facility does allow for the receipt and handling of other small pet feces material, as long as it is included as a part of cat litter and small animal bedding materials.
For a complete list of what can go in visit ottawa.ca/greenbin
Bin Related Questions:
Q: Where can I buy an additional green bin or kitchen container?
A: If a resident wants an additional green bin or kitchen container, the resident is responsible to pay for the containers on pick up at any of the Client Service Centres listed subsequently. Containers are available on a first-come-first-served basis. This does not apply to multi-residential buildings that require additional green bins because there are more actual units than what is stated on the distribution database.
Additional Green bins and/or kitchen containers are available for purchase at all City of Ottawa Client Service Centres.
The cost per green bin for 2010 is $35.00 plus taxes.
The cost per kitchen container for 2010 is $4.00 plus taxes.
Client Service Centre Locations and Hours of Operation: (include the link on ottawa.ca)
Urban Centers – Monday – Friday
· City Hall Client Service Centre, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa - 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· Kanata Client Service Centre, 580 Terry Fox Drive, Kanata - 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
· Ben Franklin Place Client Service Centre, 101 Centrepointe Drive, Nepean - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
· Orléans Client Service Centre, 255 Centrum Boulevard, Suite 100, Orléans - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Rural Centres - Open one day a week as indicated below
· West Carleton Client Service Centre, 5670 Carp Road, Kinburn - Wednesday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
· North Gower Client Service Centre, 2155 Roger Stevens Drive, North Gower – Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
· Metcalfe Client Service Centre, 8243 Victoria Street, Metcalfe - Tuesday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Q: How do I get a replacement for a stolen/new/broken container?
A: For stolen or damaged bins, contact 3-1-1 or
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.
Q: I just moved – how do I get a green bin?
A: The Green Bin program is being phased-in across the City over three years. To find-out what phase of the roll-out your new residence corresponds to, please contact 3-1-1.
Q: Can I use another type of “green” or “organic” bin other than the City-provided one?
A: Not for curb side collection. Please use the City of Ottawa green bin for curb side collection. The bins have been specially designed and tested for this program and are fitted for pick up by an automatic lifter on the collection vehicles.
Residents may choose to purchase any type of kitchen container to complement the(comment: although the container is free, the recent program costs before Council at budget do not support “free”, so I would not mention this), Ottawa-made kitchen container that comes with your green bin.
Q: Is the City of Ottawa green bin animal-resistant?
A: While no container will prove 100 per cent animal proof 100 per cent of the time, the City’s green bin does have a two-stage latch. While it’s possible for humans to operate with one hand, tests have shown this model of green bin poses a challenge for most four-legged creatures. For persistent critters that may chew on the lid, use a bit of menthol vapour rub around the edge of the lid.
The City reminds residents to use green bins safely. While green bin manufacturer, Norseman Plastics, says there have been no reported incidents of children being injured in their lockable green bins, each unit does contain a message that says "Warning! Suffocation hazard. Do not allow children to play inside this container.”
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