Organics & Residuals

Organics

In order to reduce waste costs while helping the environment, many Nova Scotians have embraced the goals of the Province's Solid Waste-Resource Management Strategy, to reduce the quantity of waste requiring disposal by 50%. By composting, organic waste is turned into a product that enriches and enhances our soil. In the process, new jobs are created and new business opportunities are realized. In this way, everyone in the Province has the possibility of turning a problem into an opportunity.

N.B. The Municipality does not provide organics carts or containers. Compostable material shall be stored in organics carts or in other containers that are:

  • waterproof;
  • impervious to domestic and wild animals and rodents;
  • designed to avoid the entrapment of any person;
  • placed or kept as far as possible from any window or door situated on an abutting or adjacent property, but preferably at a distance of at least 10 meters;

Compostable organic material includes:

  • Food waste (including meat, fish, bones and dairy products);
  • Leaf and yard waste; and
  • Non-recyclable paper products.

The following benefits are realized by keeping these valuable materials out of disposal sites:

  • Fewer and safer disposal sites;
  • Leachate reduction (landfill run-off);
  • Methane reduction (a global warming gas);
  • Job creation; and
  • A product to enhance soil (for the growth of stronger, healthier plants)

Place the following items in your organics green cart

  • Food Waste
  • Fruit & vegetable peelings
  • Table Scraps
  • Meat
  • Dairy Products
  • Cooking Oil & Fat (cool, wipe with paper towel, place in green cart)
  • Bread
  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Bones
  • Coffee Grounds
  • Filters
  • Tea Bags
  • Eggshells
  • Fish

Yard Waste

  • Excess leaves
  • Brush
  • Plants Soiled

Soiled Paper

  • Cereal Boxes (remove inner liner)
  • Shoe Boxes
  • Cracker & Cookie Boxes
  • Paper Towel Rolls
  • Food Napkins
  • Paper Towels
  • Tissue Boxes (remove plastic) and Soiled Paper
  • paper, sugar
  • flour & potato bags
  • Heavily soiled Pizza boxes
  • Waxed paper

Other

  • Cold stove ashes\

Not for Organic Carts

  • plastic bags (including biodegradable)
  • glass
  • decorations or wire wreaths
  • metals

Residuals (Clear or Black Bags)

  • Styrofoam
  • Cigarette butts
  • Clothing and shoes
  • Broken glass (wrapped)
  • Carbon paper
  • Ceramics
  • Microwave popcorn bags
  • Personal hygiene products
  • Diapers, disposable
  • plastic dishes and cutlery
  • Floor sweepings
  • Frozen juice cans
  • Latex gloves
  • Light bulbs
  • Small appliances
  • Packaging, non-recyclable
  • Pet/animal waste
  • Cereal box liner
  • Dryer sheets/lint
  • Potato chip bags
  • Toothpaste tubes
  • Toys, broken
  • Vacuum cleaner bags
  • Wallpaper
  • Motor oil containers
  • alkaline batteries
  • Gift wrap and cards
  • Aluminum foil, soiled
  • Paint cans empty and dry

Certain electronics are not accepted for curbside collection, including TVs, computers, monitors, printers, telephones, fax machines, cell phones and audio/video playback systems. Visit the Electronics Recycling page to learn how to properly dispose of these items.