FAQ
What is organic waste?
Organic waste is material that comes from living organisms such as, but not limited to, food, food scraps, food-soiled paper, paper products, yard or green waste, wood, manure, and organic textiles like cotton.
Not all these organic materials can be processed at the waste processing facility. Please follow the direction from your waste hauler when placing organic waste in the green recycling bin.
Can I put my food scraps in plastic bags and put that in the organic container?
The use of plastic bags is highly discouraged as it creates a challenge to ensure food waste is being correctly processed and composted. However, if you must use plastic bags for the collection of food waste, then the use of plastic bags depends on the facility that processes your waste.
- Currently most of the facilities require the use of clear or transparent bags because it allows for the facilities to easily inspect a bag’s contents for contaminants or prohibited materials.
- Confirm with your waste haulers on the usage of plastic bags for your food waste collection.
Are there training or educational outreach materials available to train others on what materials are collected in the organic waste container?
Yes, education and outreach materials about what can be collected in your waste containers is available from your waste hauler. You may also find education material under our Resource Page.
What can we put in our Organic waste bin?
Food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings.
What organic waste materials are acceptable and prohibited by our waste hauler?
Organic waste collection services may vary slightly depending on the area you are in and what is accepted by the organics processing facility your waste hauler takes the waste to.
- Your Hauler should properly label and/or have images on all containers to indicate the materials that can be accepted or should be prohibited.
- Generally, organic waste collection service includes the acceptance of green or yard waste, food soiled paper, and food scraps.
What happens to the food waste that is collected by a waste hauler?
Food waste collected by a hauler is transported to a permitted organic waste processing facility that creates mulch, compost, energy, or fuel.
- Mulch and compost are deposited back to the earth where it can enrich the soil.
- Energy and fuel are used to power electricity or fuel vehicles lessening our dependency on non-renewable energy and fuel resources.