Green Bin

The Green Bin program will ensure that Essex-Windsor is complying with Ontario's Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement under Section 11 of the 2016 Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act (collectively "The Organics Provincial Policy Statement" or "OPPS"). The OPPS requires municipalities in Essex-Windsor to achieve specific reduction and recovery target rates by 2025:

• City of Windsor: Provide curbside collection of food and organic waste to single-family dwellings in an urban settlement area and to achieve a target rate of reduction of 70%;
• Amherstburg, LaSalle, Leamington and Tecumseh: Provide collection (through a public drop-off depot or community composting area or curbside collection) of food and organic waste to single-family dwellings in an urban settlement area and to achieve a target rate of reduction of 50%;
• Essex, Kingsville, and Lakeshore: These municipalities are not required to attain specific food and organic waste reduction rates based on their population and population densities.

The Green Bin is an important program that supports both the City of Windsor's Corporate Climate Action Plan and the County of Essex Climate Change goals. 

The EWSWA has been directed by the City of Windsor and the County of Essex to launch a “Green Bin Program” for regional food waste and organics in all eight municipalities to comply with provincial legislation.  Based on the 2022-23 residential curbside waste audit, the average household garbage set-out contains 48% food and organic waste. This valuable resource should be kept out of the landfill.

It is a residential curbside collection program that is used by many municipalities across Ontario to successfully keep food waste and organics out of the landfill. The Green Bin will be collected weekly helping to reduce odours and increase participation, making it easier to keep food waste and organics out of the landfill. This approach makes the choice easy as: Food Waste Is Too Good To Waste- Green Bin It!

Single-family homes and multi-family homes (those with less than seven units that meet program collection requirements) will be included in this program. Residents do not need to register! Homes that currently receive curbside garbage collection will automatically receive a Green Bin.

• Increase the Region's stagnant diversion rate of 30-35%.
• Save taxpayers money by reducing garbage by half.
• Extend the lifespan of the only active Essex-Windsor Regional Landfill, avoiding the high costs of a new one.
• Reduce methane emissions by keeping food waste and organics out of our only landfill.
• Program end-product (fertilizer) helps grow new crops naturally for you and generations to come.
• Strengthen the Region's reputation as forward-thinking, attracting investors and supporting economic growth.
• Foster a shared sense of environmental responsibility, which supports this agriculturally-rich Region.

The Green Bin Program will launch in two Phases to align with existing municipal waste contracts.

 Phase 1:  Essex, Lakeshore, LaSalle, Tecumseh and Windsor - collection begins the week of October 21, 2025.

Phase 2: Amherstburg, Kingsville, and Leamington - collection will start in fall 2026.

No, you will not need to buy a Green Bin - a Green Bin Kit will be delivered to your home. A Green Bin Kit includes:

• 120L Green Bin with gravity lock
• 7L Kitchen Catcher
• Sample compostable bag
• Program instructions

Deliveries to Phase 1 households will begin in July 2025 and take three months to complete. Download the free Recycle Coach app for delivery updates.

Residents will be supplied with a 7 L Kitchen Catcher to make the collection of food waste and organics convenient in the kitchen. The Kitchen Catcher can be lined with a compostable bag (similar to your kitchen garbage). When the container is full, or when needed, empty the contents into your Green Bin. The Kitchen Catcher features a stay-open lid for one-handed operation and can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher.

A gravity lock is a special locking mechanism that supports automated collection programs. More importantly, it keeps the Green Bin securely closed to prevent pests from accessing the contents. The lock automatically releases when the Green Bin is lifted and tipped by the collection truck, allowing the contents to be emptied; thereby avoiding manual collection. 

Green Bins are emptied using a mechanical arm on the collection truck, which is an efficient touch-free system that helps to improve worker safety. The mechanical arm only functions when you follow these set-out requirements:

1. PARK the bin about 30cm (1ft) from the curb
2. POINT the arrows on the Bin to the street
3. SPACE the bin at least 1 meter from other carts or structures

The EWSWA will provide bin maintenance services, which is typical with Green Bin programs across Ontario.

More information will be provided in the Green Bin Kit that is delivered to your household. 

Like other programs (Blue Box, etc.), only Acceptable Materials can be put in the Green Bin so that the end-product (e.g., fertilizer) is valuable for use.

Food Waste (All expired/wasted food scraps, peels, rinds):

• Meat, fruits, vegetables, bones, shells, dairy products, baked goods (bread, cake, muffins), dry goods (pasta, beans, etc.)
• Cooking oils, fresh spices, herbs

Organic Items:

• Wooden utensils/sticks
• Facial tissues, paper towels/plates/bags
• Animal and human hair
• Compostable bag liners/packaging

Green Bin materials will be processed by Seacliff Energy Corporation in Leamington, producing renewable energy such as: electricity sold to grid and thermal energy to heat a local greenhouse, and fertilizer for local farms. By using the Green Bin, you contribute to a circular economy and support agricultural sustainability!

Your 2025 municipal calendar will contain this information as well as information is posted on www.ewswa.org

Food is a valuable resource and should not be wasted. In absence of a Green Bin Program, residents can purchase composters/digesters at local Home Hardware stores. Visit www.ewswa.org for solutions to keep food waste and organics out of the landfill.