Right bin for the Win
Mix up means mess ups
Welcome to the Waste Sorting Showdown
Sorting your waste doesn’t have to be confusing. Every choice you make matters and with a few simple tips, you’ll know exactly which bin is the right one.
Discover what belongs in your blue, green, and black bins, and learn how small actions can make a big difference behind the scenes.
Be a waste sorting champion!
Green
Green bins are for food scraps and yard waste.
Mix ups
Food scraps in the landfill don’t break down or turn into soil. The bones in this picture were dug up after 40+ years buried in a city landfill.
Put all food scraps in the green bin.
Mess ups
Spoiled food is often left in plastic packaging. Plastic does not compost and can ruin finished compost.
Remove all plastic before putting food scraps in the green bin.
Blue
Your blue bin is for acceptable household paper, cardboard and container packaging.
Mix ups
Household items aren’t accepted in the blue bin, even if they’re metal or marked recyclable. For example:
Metal pans can jam equipment and tear conveyor belts.
Garden hoses and electrical cords tangle up and create massive messes. These items can stop sorting entirely and cause costly delays.
Mess ups
Containers with leftover food or liquid.
Empty and clean plastic, glass and metal containers.
Toys, vapes, and small plastic gadgets (may contain hidden batteries)
Because they may cause fires, best to take these items to a City Eco Centre.
Black
Old or broken items don’t always belong in the black bin.
The City offers programs and services that help keep waste out of landfills and give items a second life.
Mix ups
Clothing, paint cans, batteries and electronics don’t go in any bin.
Take them to a City Eco Centre for proper disposal and recycling.
Why it matters
- Electronics and batteries in bins are dangerous. The trucks and machines can crush them, causing fires or explosions.
- Clothing can often be reused or recycled through special programs, keeping usable items out of landfills.
- Paint needs special handling to protect the environment.
- Take these items to a City Eco Centre
- Learn more about safe battery disposal.
Master the Right Bin for the Win!
Sorting correctly makes a big impact, so if you're unsure where an item belongs, visit calgary.ca/whatgoeswhere to find the right bin.
calgary.ca/whatgoeswhere