The City of Stratford sells 45-litre green bins and kitchen catchers at City Hall and the Romeo Street landfill. Green bins must be less than 23 kilograms (50 pounds) when placed at curbside for collection.
Green Bin
The City of Stratford has a green bin program in place to divert kitchen waste and other organic materials from the City’s landfill site.
Here is some information outlining how the program works, when and how the materials will be collected, and a list of items that you can put in your green bin.
The green bin program is available to residential properties, including single-family homes, duplexes and multi-residential buildings. The program is also available to industrial, commercial and institutional properties. Please contact us for more information by emailing our Public Works division.
What can I put in my green bin?
Here is a list of acceptable materials for your Green Bin:
- Butter, margarine, grease, cooking oil
- Cake, candy, cookies
- Coffee grounds, filters, tea bags
- Eggs and shells
- Fruits and vegetables (cooked & raw)
- Herbs, spices
- Meat, fish and shellfish (including bones)
- Nuts and shells
- Pasta, breads, cereals, rice and grains
- Microwave popcorn bags and muffin liners
- Pumpkins
- Jams, sauces and salad dressings
- Liquid dairy including milk, yogurt, sour cream
- Juices
- Food soiled boxboard, cardboard, newspaper
- Facial tissues, napkins, paper towels, craft paper
- Paper cups and plates
- Bird seed, feathers, pet bedding
- Hair and nail clippings
- Houseplants and cut flowers
What items are NOT accepted in the green bin?
- Hot beverage cups
- Ashes and cigarette butts
- Baby wipes, diapers, sanitary products
- Coffee pods
- Cotton balls, makeup wipes and ear cleaners
- Candles, elastic bands
- Cutlery – compostable or any kind
- Disposable mop sheets, dryer lint and sheets
- Leaf and yard waste
- Milk bags
- Medical waste, bandages, tubing, medicine
- Pet waste, including cat litter
Yes, but please do not put regular plastic bags in your green bin. You can use recycled newspaper, or certified compostable bags to line your bin. Look for these symbols when choosing compostable bags:
Green bin materials will be collected at curbside weekly, on your regular waste collection day. Please have the materials to the curb before 8 a.m. on that day.
- Line your green bin with newspaper to keep it clean
- You can also use compostable paper bags if you choose
- In the winter, place a paper/cardboard egg carton or similar compostable container at the bottom of your bin, before using the bag, to help prevent the bag from freezing to your bin
- Put the bin out every week so food doesn't sit in your bin too long
- Rinse the bin regularly to eliminate odours
- Keep it in a cool, shaded spot in the summer, if possible
If your green bin needs replacement, or you wish to purchase an additional bin for your property, you can purchase green bins at a reduced rate through City Hall (Clerk's Office on the ground floor) or the City of Stratford landfill at 777 Romeo Street South.
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