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What goes in the green cart


All food scraps, yard waste and pet waste can go in the green cart.

Make sure you also know what items can’t be composted. If you're not sure where to put an item, check What Goes Where to find the answer.

Even small amounts add up, so remember to include the food from meal preparation, cleaning out the fridge and plate scrapings too.
Print guides for Green Carts:
Remember to compost:
  • Food scraps during meal prep
  • Cleaning out the fridge
  • Plate scrapings

Yes. Put these items into your green cart

All food (raw and cooked)

  • Plate scrapings
  • Fruits and vegetables including pits - Put stickers in garbage
  • Meat, poultry and bones
  • Fish, seafood, shellfish and shells
  • Bread, grains, pasta, rice and cereal
  • Pastries, cookies, cakes and muffins
  • Eggs and eggshells
  • Milk, cheese, sour cream and dairy products
  • Cooking oil, fats and grease - Soak up with paper towel and put in green cart
  • Condiments, sauces, gravy and jams
  • Nuts, seeds, chips, popcorn and candy
Food YES

Food soiled paper

TIP: Recycle clean paper in your blue cart

  • Used paper plates
  • Newspaper holding food scraps
  • Greasy paper bags e.g. fast food bags
  • Coffee grounds, filters and tea bags
  • Food soiled paper towels and napkins
  • Used tissues (e.g. Kleenex)
Food soiled paper YES

Yard waste

Preparation: Fill your green cart first - put in loose or in paper yard waste bags.

If your cart is full, place extra paper yard waste bags one foot to the side of the cart. You can also tie extra branches into four foot bundles with natural fibre string like sisal or jute twine.

For more tips, see Using Your Green Cart.

  • Leaves, cones, needles and berries
  • Plants, tree fruits and flowers
  • Branches, twigs and hedge prunings
  • Grass clippings, sod and weeds
  • Garden soil and untreated mulch
  • Hay, straw and coconut planter liners
Yard Waste Yes

Pet waste

Preparation: All pet waste and bedding must be bagged in a certified compostable bag or paper bag and roll/tied closed for the safety of the collector.

  • Dog waste
  • Kitty litter (all kinds)
  • Animal bedding (from pet cages)
  • Pet fur, hair or feathers
  • Pet food and treats (including rawhide bones and birdseed)
Pet Waste Yes

Other compostable items

  • Cold barbeque, fireplace or fire pit ashes
  • Must be bagged in a certified compostable bag or paper bag and roll/tied closed for the safety of the collector.
  • Untreated lumber
  • Less than 15 cm in diameter and four feet in length so it can fit inside the green cart. No nails, screws, paint, etc.
  • Wood shavings
  • Must be bagged in a certified compostable bag or paper bag and roll/tied closed for the safety of the collector.
  • Wood popsicle sticks, chopsticks and toothpicks
Other Compostable Items