Why the Green Bin?
Local studies have shown that half of the waste produced by households is organic and compostable. Click Here to see the list of acceptable materials.
Tested locally
A one-year pilot project from October 2007 to October 2008 demonstrated the effectiveness and acceptance of curbside food waste collection. Both urban and rural households diverted significant quantities of food waste from the landfill. By using their green bin, participating households have reduced their monthly garbage by 44 to 54 per cent.
Food waste collection makes sense for the region and the environment
Food waste collection takes what was garbage and turns it into a valuable resource. By using your green bin you will:
- Extend the life of our landfill so it can continue to work for years to come;
- Help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by organic waste decomposing in the landfill;
- Turn waste into useful products such as fertilizer, compost and renewable fuels;
- Eliminate the need to use a garburator, saving on water and electricity costs; and
- Support a local green economy.
About the Green Bin Program
The Green Bin Program is a service that provides households with weekly curbside collection of residential food and kitchen waste (food scraps and food-soiled or wax-coated paper products). Instead of going to the landfill, a local licensed composting facility converts food waste collected into compost and eventually renewable fuels.
For complete information on using the Green Bin Program, check the guide delivered with your green bin. Click here to download a copy of the guide for households located in Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, and the RDN Electoral Areas. Click here to download a copy of the guide for households located in the City of Nanaimo.
Containers provided
Households received two containers to help them participate in the Green Bin Program. The large wheeled green bin is for storing your food waste and taking it to the curb. It is compact, sturdy and features a pest-resistant latching lid. The smaller kitchen catcher is useful for storing and transferring food waste from your kitchen to the green bin.
Supplied at no-charge for program launch
Because the Green Bin Program conserves landfill capacity, the cost of purchasing green bins and kitchen catchers for initial distribution has been funded through the RDN Solid Waste Reserve Fund.
Replacement containers (due to loss or damage) will be subject to a cost-recovery charge.
Your Green Bin stays with the house
If you are a tenant, or if you sell your home, please leave the food waste containers at the home for the next tenant or resident.