Time to get those green bins to the curb in London

Green bin collection has started in London as part of the new collection schedule for London homes.

Green Bins and recycling are picked up at the curb every week. Organic materials including, food waste that can cause odours, will be collected weekly in the Green Bin.

Garbage is picked up at the curb every other week. This means that Londoners will be required to hold onto remaining garbage four to six additional days compared to the current system.

Yard waste collection will still occur every five weeks during the spring and summer and more frequent in the fall.

Many Londoners however remain adamant they won't participate with one person telling CTV News Monday morning they have a couple of compost bins at ho me and they intend to use just that.

Another Londoner, Steve Ranger told CTV News he's upset garbage collection days are being reduced to accommodate green bins.

"We're already struggling to do the three bag minimum with our household with five kids and a dog. Three bags is tough, and so now, when you have every three weeks, it's going to be tougher," said Ranger.

Jay Stanford with the City of London expects participation to grow to 60 to 70 per cent within a few years, saying, "So today we anticipate somewhere in the range of 40 per cent participation, which is kind of normal when we compare with other communities in Ontario.”

City workers join London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis and Jay Stanford (right), director of environmental programs & solid waste for the City of London. The group is posing near combined garbage and organic waste collection truck. The city now has 26 of the units to aid in green bin collection. Jan. 15, 2023. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)

How to use the Green Bin

In the kitchen

Use your Kitchen Container to store food waste and table scraps before moving them to your Green Bin. Certified compostable liners or paper items can be used to help absorb liquids. Plastic bags cannot be used.

 

Preparing your Green Bin

When your Kitchen Container is full, empty it into your Green Bin every few days. Certified compostable liners are accepted in the Green Bin. You do not have to use a liner, but they can help contain food waste and reduce odours. Remember to use the latch on the Green Bin lid to securely keep it closed.

 

Placing it at the curb

Follow your collection schedule to place your Green Bin at the curb on the correct days. After your Green Bin’s contents are collected, retrieve your bin from the curb.

 

Above

The kitchen container is used to collect food waste from your kitchen. A Kitchen Container was provided to residents when Green Bins were delivered to homes.

A green bin and recycling sit out for collection on Manitoulin Drive in London, Ont. on Jan. 15, 2024. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)

Some of the items that can go in the Green Bin include

• Meat and poultry scraps
• Dairy products
• Vegetable and fruit peelings
• Fats, cooking oils, and food grease, including City of London FOG Cups
• Baked goods, pasta, and bread
• Wooden stir sticks, chop sticks, household plants
• Soiled paper such as paper napkins, paper towels, and tissues

Keep these items out of the Green Bin

• Elastic bands
• Food stickers
• Painted or treated wood
• Pet waste
• All plastic products including plastic utensils, plastic bags, and plastic packaging