Organics are made up of food scraps, soiled paper products and yard and garden materials. Organics follow the same three basic steps as recycling: collection, processing, and manufacturing of compost or soil amendments. Hartland Landfill has banned organics from the garbage because they are a valuable resource, help conserve landfill space, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Food Scraps
A landfill ban on food scraps and soiled paper products was put in place in January 2015. This includes scraps from fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, grains, bones, and soiled paper products such as paper plates and napkins.
Yard and Garden Trimmings
Yard and garden trimmings includes grass, lawn and hedge clippings, leaves, branches, and prunings. Banned from the garbage since 2006, yard and garden trimmings are an important natural resource that can easily be composted.
Do not include the following materials with yard and garden trimmings:
- Invasive species such as morning glory, blackberry, wild mustard, ox-eye daisy, wild carrot, couch grass and poison hemlock.
- Plants or growing media identified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for disposal.
Contact garbage facilities directly for invasive species disposal requirements.
Compostable Plastics
Items marketed as compostable or biodegradable (e.g., containers, cutlery, wipes) and are a similar appearance and texture to plastic are not compatible with composting systems in Canada. Fibre-based compostable products (e.g., bamboo cutlery, paper plates) are often accepted in local composting programs.
Check out the City of Victoria's Sustainable Takeout Guide for examples or the Compost Education Centre's Understanding Compostable Plastics factsheet for more information.
Composting at Home
The most efficient and environmentally friendly way to manage organics is by composting at home. There are different options for managing food scraps and yard and garden trimmings at home, including using backyard bins and digesters or vermicomposting (worm composting) if you don't have a yard.
For more detailed information on at-home composting options and tips on how to get started, visit the Compost Education Centre website. They provide workshops and factsheets to help people compost at home.
Organics Collection Programs
Single Family Homes
Residential garbage, food scraps and yard/garden material services are provided through a combination of municipal programs and private services.
Apartments & Condos
In addition to garbage and recycling, food scraps collection services are also supplied by the private sector. If you have concerns about the services offered in your building please contact your building manager.
Commercial Buildings
As with apartments and condos, waste collection services for commercial buildings is supplied by the private sector. If you are business located within a commercial building, we recommend connecting with the building manager regarding waste generation and service needs.
