Information | Rezoning for Housing

Public hearing on April 22, 2024. Proposed rezoning will support more housing options in all communities.

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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.

Make sure your materials are not packed too tightly or they will not fall out of the green cart during pickup.

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

You can use certified compostable bags to hold all food scraps. See our list of available bag brands and retailers.

Composting food

Food soiled paper

  • 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)

TIP: Put clean paper in your blue cart. Your green cart is for composting paper products that have come into contact with food.

Food soiled paper items

Yard waste

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

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

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

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 (6 inches) in diameter and 1.25 m ( 4 ft.) 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
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