Our Compost Guide provides detailed instructions on what goes in and what stays out of our collection bins. The organic waste is processed at an industrial scale composting site, so we are able to accept a much wider range of materials than the typical backyard compost.
SORTING GUIDE
ALL FOOD WASTE AND FOOD SCRAPS
FOOD-SOILED PAPER AND CARDBOARD, COFFEE FILTERS, NAPKINS, TEA BAGS,
SHELLS, BONES, FISH, AND MEAT
CUT PLANTS, NUT AND SEED SHELLS, WOOD SHAVINGS, ASH, AND CHARCOAL
COMPOSTABLE PACKAGING, DISHWARE, AND BAGS
IS IT COMPOSTABLE?
Look for the BPI certified logo on the packaging or product! This logo guarantees the item is compostable.
DID YOU KNOW?
When organic waste decomposes in the landfill, it produces methane; a very powerful greenhouse gas. In fact, methane is over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere!
Organic separation is the answer! Use your compost bin every day to capture all your organic waste. We’ll take it to be composted, returning nutrients to the soil.
ACCEPTABLE ITEMS
- All food scraps, raw and cooked (fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy)
- Baked goods
- Beeswax wraps
- Bird feed (Seed bells, suet
- cakes, etc.)”
- Bones
- BPI-certified compostable bags
- Breads, grains, and dough
- Butcher paper
- Cat and dog food
- Chopsticks
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Compostable disposables (cups, plates, bowls, clamshells, cutlery)
- Compostable plastic
- Cork
- Cotton balls and cotton swabs with cardboard stems
- Dairy products
- Eggshells
- Fibre-based egg cartons (not styrofoam)
- Fish
- Hair and fur
- Matches (used)
- Nail clippings
- Natural fibre fabric (cotton, hemp, bamboo, flax, etc.)
- Nutshells
- Packaging labeled as “oxo-biodegradable”
- Paper towels, napkins, and tissues
- Pencil shavings
- Pizza boxes and soiled cardboard (must be broken down to fit in your bin)
- Plants and flowers
- Soiled paper
- Tea and paper tea bags
- Waxed and parchment paper
- Wood shavings, ash, and charcoal
- Wooden stir sticks
UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS
- Animal waste, litter
- Chip bags and wrappers
- Diapers and baby wipes
- Disinfectant wipes
- Disposable coffee cups (e.g. Tim Hortons, Starbucks)
- Foil
- Glass
- Liquids (juice, pop, oil, coffee, milk, etc.)
- Menstrual products
- Metal
- Milk and ice cream cartons
- Paint
- Paraffin wax and candles
- Plastic
- Plastic bags
- Plastic wrap
- Recyclables
- Sandpaper
- Styrofoam
- Wax crayons
Compost Guide is now available in 10 different languages!
GET THE INSIDE SCOOP
Sign up for the Green Action Centre’s Living Green, Living Well Newsletter to stay informed about our work, upcoming events, green lifestyle tips and special updates.
QUESTIONS?
We’re here to help!
MONDAY – FRIDAY, 8:30 A.M. – 4 P.M. CST
BY PHONE:
204-232-0025
BY EMAIL
SERVICE@COMPOSTWINNIPEG.CA