Green bin organics are collected every week on your scheduled collection day. To determine your collection day, please check our online Recycle Coach app.
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What goes in?
The Green Bin program is for the collect of organic materials. The following materials are accepted as part of the program. If you do not see an item listed below, you can confirm where to put in using the Recycle Coach.
Collection guidelines
Remember to place green bins at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day and no earlier than 5 p.m. the night before collection. Please remove emptied containers and any uncollected waste from the curb by 8 p.m. on collection day.
Ensure that green bin material set out for collection is in accordance with the Town's waste program requirements. Use certified compostable bags to line your green bin or kitchen catcher, ensuring all organic waste is properly bagged and securely tied. While compostable bags are preferred, clear plastic bags are also accepted. Certified compostable bags will display a 'compostable' logo on the packaging. Paper bags are also compostable and do not require this logo. Please do not place organic waste in black garbage bags, as it will not be collected.
The maximum weight per green bin and its contents must not exceed 22 kg (50 lbs). Do not overfill green bins. Use Town-approved green bins only. Green bins must not exceed 12 gallons (45 L) in capacity.
Keep green bins separate from your neighbours. During winter months, do not place green bins on top of or behind snow banks as it can be difficult for the collection operator to access, and may cause waste material to spill onto the roadway.
Missed collection
For missed waste collection or waste collection inquiries, please contact Green for Life (GFL) at 1-866-421-5625 or via email at WasteLine@gflenv.com.
If you received an 'oops' sticker, please visit Green for Life's (GFL) 'oops' sticker page for more information.
Additional and replacement bins
Green bins and kitchen catchers can be purchased online through Xplor by clicking on 'Online Store'. You will need to create an Xplor account to make an order.
- Need assistance in creating an Xplor account? Watch this video.
- Need assistance in how to use the online store? Watch this video.
Alternatively, you can contact Customer Service at 905-895-5193. Bins will be delivered to your home by GFL.
Green bins and kitchen catchers are also available for purchase in-person using credit or debit at:
- Municipal Offices
- Magna Centre
- Ray Twinney Recreation Complex
- Newmarket Seniors Meeting Place
- Operations Centre
Green bins are replaced free of charge if broken. Call Green for Life (GFL) at 1-866-421-5625 to schedule a replacement bin exchange. Broken green bins must be at the curb on the date of exchange in order to receive a replacement bin.
Backyard compost
Composting is a natural recycling process whereby microorganisms, worms and insects break down organic matter into a dark, earthy material rich in nutrients. Backyard composting is a great way to produce an excellent soil conditioner that will improve your soil and the plants growing within it while at the same time reducing your kitchen and yard waste. Composting can reduce household waste by as much as 30 per cent!
How to backyard compost
- Select an area that is level, has good water drainage, significant sun exposure, and is easily accessible year round. Turn the soil in the location where the composter will be.
- To prevent pests or rodents from burrowing under the composter, line the bottom of the composter with 0.5 cm (1/4 inch) wire mesh/hardware cloth (optional).
- Place a layer of small branches at the bottom of the composter. This allows for air movement and drainage of the compost pile.
- Add organic materials, including both nitrogen-rich green materials (e.g. kitchen scraps) and carbon-rich brown materials (e.g. dried leaves). Alternate the layers and turn the compost regularly (every couple of weeks or each time you add new material). Add a thin layer of soil periodically to add more microorganisms and accelerate the composting process.
- Tip: When you rake your leaves in the fall, save several bags to add gradually to your pile during the rest of the year.
- Add water if needed. Keep the pile moist but not soggy. Compost should feel about the same as a squeezed-out sponge.
- Compost is ready to use when it is dark, has a crumbly texture, and has an “earthy” smell. You can screen the finished compost to remove coarse or incompletely decomposed materials such as shells, corncobs, or twigs. Return these to the compost pile. It can take anywhere from six months to two years to make compost.