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Using plastic bags and frequent cleaning: A fresh start to using your green bin




Erasing the “Yuck” image from your mind


The thought of food scraps, meat and chicken bones, and pasta noodles mixing together in a green bin conjures up a messy and smelly picture in many people’s minds – preventing them from using the green bin. If you’re one of these individuals, using plastic bags as a bagging option and regularly cleaning will put your mind at ease.


Did you know the City’s Green Bin Program has a bagging option – allowing the use of plastic bags. You don’t need to go out and buy plastic bags, you can reuse ones that are around your home, such as:


· Milk bags

· Bread bags



Cleaning tips – Refreshing your green bin and other containers


Regular cleaning of your green bin – and your garbage can and blue bin – help keep them fresh.


  • Rinse your green bin with a garden hose from time to time, especially if you don’t line your bin with paper.

  • Rinse your green bin and garbage can with lemon juice, vinegar, dish soap or baking soda to reduce odours and keep bugs out.

  • Also give your blue bin a rinse, as it may be sticky from residual liquids from drink cans.

  • Keeping your meat or fish scraps in the freezer until collection day helps reduce odours.


Here is a short video on cleaning, which profiles some other packaging options for your green bin.


Take advantage of weekly pickup

You can take advantage of weekly collection. Now, you don’t have as much waste sitting in your garbage cans and bags for two weeks.


More information


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