Single Family Food Scraps Recycling
Curbside Food Scraps Recycling
What can I collect?
If it's a food scrap or paper product soiled by food, it's probably recycleable. Read about accepted and unaccepted food scrap items in our Food Scraps Brochure.
Animal waste, plastics, grease and liquids are not accepted as food scrap items.
Getting started...
|
|
- Get a lidded container to collect food scraps and food-soiled paper products in your kitchen - an ice cream bucket or large plastic container would work.
|
|
|
- Collect YES food scraps and food-soiled paper products in your kitchen container. Read or print Accepted Food Scrap and Unaccepted Food Scrap posters to find out.
- Please do not use plastic or compostable bags, they are not accepted.
|
|
|
- Empty food scraps, along with paper liners, into your yard trimmings container.
|
|
|
|
Collection Day
The contents of your yard trimmings container are collected on your regular scheduled collection day and taken to the regional composting facility. Here, high-quality compost is made and sold as a soil admendment for gardening or farming.
For information about the regional composting facility visit www.fraserrichmond.ca
Kitchen and Yard Container Tips
- Line your kitchen container using paper bags, cardboard, paper towel or newspaper
- Cereal or cracker boxes, mushroom or flour bags work well
- Do not line with plastic or compostable bags, they are not accepted
Make a Liner:
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Insert into kitchen container
|
- Place food scraps into liner
|
Tips for Your Green Bin
How to wash your yard trimmings container
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Add soap to container and rinse with water from hose.
|
- Dry container upside down on grass or gravel. Do not pour soapy water down outside drains.
|
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can participate in the Food Scraps Recycling Program?
- I live in a multi-family property, can I participate in program?
- What kind of food scraps are accepted in the Food Scraps Recycling Program?
-
Any "Yes" food and food-soiled paper materials are accepted.
Any "No" materials, such as oil, grease, plastic or any packaging are not accepted.
The surest approach is "If in Doubt, Leave it Out or Find Out" -- you can contact us at 604-294-7972 or engineering@burnaby.ca."
- What can I use as a kitchen collection container?
-
To store your food scraps in the kitchen you can reuse a large yogurt container, ice cream bucket, jug or any container you have hand (as long as it has a secure lid), or purchase a kitchen food scraps pail from your local retailer. Since you’ll be emptying it in your yard waste container on a regular basis, just make sure it’s something you can easily carry.
- What about rodents or insects getting into my yard container?
- Should I line my kitchen and yard container?
-
You do not need to line your yard container or kitchen container. However using a paper liner can keep your kitchen or yard container clean and reduce odour. If you choose to use a liner, you can use newspaper, paper bags (mushroom bags, flour bags), cardboard (cereal box) or paper towels. Do not use plastic or compostable bags, as they are not accepted. (See above for directions on making a newspaper kitchen liner).
- Why am I not allowed to use plastic or compostable bags to line my container?
-
Plastic or compostable bags contaminate and interrupt the composting process, resulting in unmarketable compost. Using paper towel, paper bags, newspaper or cardboard to line your kitchen or yard trimmings container is better. It absorbs excess moisture, and allows oxygen into the foods scraps. This slows the break down of the material in your containers, and reduces odours. Having paper products mixed with food scraps also benefits the composting process, as it provides a good carbon source.
- How often will the City collect the food scraps?
- What if my yard trimmings container is not full?
- Now that I can put my food scraps in my yard waste container I do not have as much garbage. Can I change the size of my garbage container to a smaller one?
-
Yes! With the move to food scraps recycling program, the City has anticipated that residents will reduce the amount of garbage they put out for collection. If you need to reduce the size garbage container you have, please call 604-294-7972.
- Should I continue to use my backyard composter?
-
Yes! Home composting is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to dispose of food scraps (fruit and vegetable only), not to mention the ‘black gold’ compost you’ll get as a result. If you have a home composter, please continue to use it, think of the food scraps recycling program as a compliment to what you are already doing, as it includes food items that are not acceptable for backyard composters. If want to start a backyard composter, they are available to residents for $35 at the Still Creek Yard Waste Depot (4800 Still Creek Avenue, west of Douglas).
Contact Us
City of Burnaby Engineering Department:
engineering@burnaby.ca
Sanitation and Recycling Line: 604-294-7972
