If you already use a backyard composter you are helping divert waste from the landfill! The new organics collection will help you divert even more waste! Use the green bin for items you cannot throw in your backyard composter. 

What does NOT go in my backyard composter?

Do not compost bones, fish, dog or cat waste, dairy products, rhubarb leaves and other toxic plants, fatty foods such as cheese, salad dressing, leftover cooking oil, meats, walnut shell or walnut leaves. Put these items (and more) in your green bin.

What can I compost?

• Yard waste - leaves, grass clippings, wood chips, plants, flowers, weeds (before they go to seed), straw or hay.
• Kitchen scraps - fruits & vegetables, eggshells, tea bags/leaves, coffee grounds/filters, rice, bread, pasta (no oil or sauce).
• Other - hair, sawdust (non-treated wood).

What is Composting?

Composting is the natural breakdown of food and yard waste into a nutrient-rich material which can be added to your gardens.

Why Compost?

• Soil Enrichment - Compost improves soil structure to enhance plant growth (similar to peat moss).
• Water Conservation - Compost helps soil retain moisture which reduces the need for watering.
• Waste Reduction - Composting can reduce your household waste.
• Prevent Plant Disease - compost contains natural antibiotics that suppress disease in plants.

How do I compost?

• Choose a sunny location with good drainage for your composter.
• Place a base (i.e. chicken wire) on the ground and set the composter on top of the base.
• Place kitchen scraps (i.e. greens: materials high in nitrogen such as vegetables, or grass clippings) with yard waste (i.e. browns: materials high in carbon such as dried leaves) in alternating layers and turn regularly.
• Place some "finished compost" or garden soil in a thin layer (2.5 cm or 1 inch) over top of kitchen waste to help speed up the process, reduce the risk of odours and allow for air movement and drainage.
• Your compost is ready when the texture is dark and crumbly and has a pleasant earth-like smell. It will normally take a year or more.

Composting Tips

• Always keep your compost material as moist as a damp sponge.
• Chop waste into smaller bits for faster decomposition.
• Don't add thick layers of any one material, particularly grass; mix it with other material instead.
• You can compost throughout the winter. The composting process slows down but speeds up again in the spring.

Bins may be purchased from the Municipality at the Municipal Offices (Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm) or at the Waste Transfer Station (Tues, Fri, Sat 9:00am-4:00pm)

• Green bins are $22.90 (plus tax).
• Kitchen bins are $3.00 (plus tax).

The following materials are accepted in the new organics collection:

• meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, bones, eggshells
• fruit and vegetables
• dairy products
• bread, cereals, crackers
• pasta, beans, rice, seeds and other grains
• coffee grounds, filters, tea bags
• cookies, chips, popcorn, nuts
• Cooking oils, lard, shortening, fat, butter
• pet food
• salad dressings, mayonnaise, vinegar, sauces, gravy, dips

Other acceptable (non-food) items:

• Small animal bedding
• BBQ ashes (cold)
• Fireplace ash (cold)
• Dryer lint
• Used facial tissues
• Contents from vacuum canister
• Butcher paper meat wrap
• Food soiled paper towels, napkins, parchment or wax paper 
• Food-soiled pizza and cereal boxes
• Wood chips/sawdust
• Microwave paper popcorn bags
• paper cups, plates, muffin wrappers
• Pet fur, hair, feathers,
• Dog waste and cat litter
• Sugar, flour and potato paper bags

No. By taking advantage of the green bin, you will be producing less waste, and will require fewer garbage bag tags.

There could be a number of reasons why your green bin didn’t get collected.

• The week had a statutory holiday, in which case your regular collection day may occur one day later.
• Waste collection begins at 7am so be sure to have all your bins (garbage, recycling, green bin) at the curb by 7am on your collection day.
• The weight capacity for green bin is 40lbs.
• Too much animal waste
• Wrong material in the bin

For questions please contact Emterra Environmental directly at: 1-888-597-1541.

General collecting tips:

• Use your kitchen bin as your primary collector in the kitchen.
• Using paper plates and napkins? Be sure to throw it all in the green bin!

The following items can be used as a bagging option for household organics in the green bin:

• Paper bags (including potato, sugar bags - and even from the LCBO!).
• Re-use plastic bags (compostable and non-compostable) such as bread bags, milk bags, grocery bags.
• Newspaper linings in the kitchen counter container.
• Cereal boxes to contain food waste.
• Compostable liners for purchase.

Tips for keeping green bin clean:

• Line your green bin with flyers, newspaper or paper bags.
• Rinse your green bin with a garden hose from time to time, followed by lemon juice, vinegar or baking soda to reduce odours and keep bugs out. 
• Spray your green bin with cooking oil in the winter to minimize risk of items freezing to the bin and ensure easy removal of waste.
• Keeping your meat or fish scraps in the freezer until collection day helps reduce odours.

Keep animals and critters away:

• Keep your green bin away from fences and deck railings so that animals can't get into it.
• Sprinkling a strong-smelling biodegradable repellent such as vinegar or detergent in your green bin helps keep pests away.
• Lock the lid to keep animals out of your green bin.
• Do not sprinkle products like cayenne pepper or chili powder on your green bin.
• Did you know the green bins come with an extra lock that will help keep animals from getting in? This video explains how to open the latch.

Did you know the green bins come with an extra lock that will help keep animals from getting in? This video explains how to open the latch.

TIP: If you spray with cooking oil it will help open the latches.

Yes. Plastic bags can be used to bag organic waste in the green bin. The plastic bag option is just one of many that are tailored to our residents’ comfort level and interest. Other options include:

• Paper bags
• Newspaper linings in the kitchen bin container
• The use of cereal boxes to contain food waste

Ideally, the green bins should be "plastic free." Plastic will not compost. It is encouraged to use alternatives to plastic to hold your organics (paper bags, cereal boxes, newspaper liner etc). By allowing some plastic in the bin (to bag the compost), we hope it will incentivize more people to use it. The plastic is removed during processing.

The organic waste facility has been retrofitted to rip open the plastic bags and separate the organic waste for composting. The plastic bags are then sent to landfill.

Large plastic bags are allowed but discouraged. Instead, consider using small plastic bags (or non-plastic options such as newspaper) to line your kitchen bin and transfer it to the green bin.

No. Wax-coated containers including milk cartons and most ice cream containers are not accepted in the green bin. They go in the recycle bin (containers).

No. Wax-coated containers (such as milk cartons) are not accepted in the green bin. For a grease that does not congeal, consider using paper towel and throw it in the green bin.

Paper cups on their own are accepted. If they have a wax or plastic coating they are not accepted. Typical fast-food franchise coffee cups typically come with a wax coated cup and are not accepted.

No. They should be disposed of in the garbage (don't forget to cut the elastics to protect wildlife!). And be sure to wash your hands after you throw the mask out.

No. For health & safety reasons, please dispose of used tissues in the garbage. 

Emterra Environmental, the waste management contractor, is responsible for all aspects of North Grenville’s curbside pickup.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding WASTE or ORGANICS, please contact Emterra Environmental directly at: 1-888-597-1541.

If you have any questions or concerns about RECYCLING, please see circularmaterials.ca, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 1-888-597-1541.

The organic material is taken to Convertus, a facility in Ottawa, where it is converted into compost, bedding and fertilizer.