A green bin is a large, movable, rigid plastic or metal container that contains biodegradable waste or compostable materials as a means to divert waste from landfills. In some local authorities, green bins are also used to contain unsorted municipal solid waste. The program's purpose is to reduce the amount of waste shipped to landfills by recycling biodegradable waste into compost. The programs collect kitchen and related organic waste (typically including soiled paper products, pet waste, sawdust, and similar items) using a waist-high green curbside container, for which the programs are named. The municipality picks up the waste on a regular basis along with other garbage and recycling collections, and composts it at an industrial composting facility. While it is true that home composting can also serve this purpose, the green bin programs are viewed as being more convenient and more inclusive of source materials.

What goes in a green bin

A green bin, typically designated for organic waste, plays a role in waste management and environmental sustainability. It is intended for the disposal of biodegradable materials such as food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard waste, and other biodegradable substances. To be specific, suitable items include fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, yard trimmings, coffee filters, napkins, and small amounts of food waste. When these organic materials are properly disposed of in a green bin, they undergo composting, a natural process that transforms them into nutrient-rich compost. This compost can then be used to enrich soil, promote plant growth, and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Compost made of biodegradable materials create a healthy foundation to plant additional greens.

Guidelines for maintaining a cleaner green bin

When utilizing a green bin, there are a few common practices that help maintain the bin to remain cleaner and prevent lingering odors. The first recommendation is to keep the container in the shade, as heat increases the smell of food waste. Secondly, lining the bottom of the pin with backyard waste and paper bags before placing it in food waste comes with two benefits. The food won't stick to the bottom of the bin allowing for more time to rot and the layer serves as an absorber for excess moisture. An additional step that can be followed prior to placing food waste onto the layer, is wrapping the food with newspaper or other compostable paper. There is also the option to hose down the container to tackle down any lingering odors.

What happens to food waste in landfills

Placing items in the proper bins limits the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. When food waste sits in landfills, the common assumption is food will decompose naturally, however, that is not the case. Rather, when the food rots it produces a greenhouse gas, methane. It is estimated that food waste equates "for 58% of landfill methane emissions to the atmosphere." By diverting organic waste from landfills, the environmental impact of methane gas emissions is minimized. In essence, utilization of green bins fosters environmental health and reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional waste disposal methods.

Green bins by country

Canada

The following municipalities have implemented a Green Bin program:

Compliance

Green bin programs have thus far been optional for residents excluding those in Hamilton, Ontario. Many residents willingly cooperate with the programs. In all programs, some residents perceive an increase in workload related to garbage handling, and object to the program on that basis. In Durham Region, some residents object to a requirement to use biodegradable liner bags, which adds a cost to the home-owner that does not exist in Toronto. The York Region and Toronto Green Bin programs allow residents to use regular plastic grocery sacks as liner bags. The following mechanisms are typically used to encourage compliance:

United Kingdom

Green Bin recycling programmes are now common in the UK. Green Bins have been rolled out over the past 10 years to reduce the quantities of biodegradable waste contained in a black bin bag in response to the Landfill Directive. Another common colour in the UK for garden waste collection is a brown wheelie bin. Some councils collect food waste in a separate container for example, for anaerobic digestion or mixed with garden waste in the wheelie bin, where they go to an in vessel composting facility. In both cases a kitchen caddy, a 7-litre plastic box, is provided by the council, with compostable cornstarch liners and, when full, are emptied into a small kerbside box or into the garden waste bin. In Fife, Scotland, the green bin is normal sized and used to collect tins and plastics.

United States

Some US cities have begun Green Bin programs under various names, including Seattle and San Francisco.