Green bin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).

Green bins are short rigid plastic containers often used to collect compostable materials as a means to divert waste from landfills. It should be noted however that in some localities green bins are also used to contain unsorted municipal waste.

The programs' purpose is to reduce the amount of waste shipped to landfills by turning organic waste into compost. The programs collect kitchen and related organic waste (typically including used paper products, pet waste, sawdust, and similar items) using the a waist-high green curbside container, which the programs are named for. The municipality picks up the waste on a frequent basis along with other garbage and recycling collecting, and composts it in an industrial composting facility. While it is true that backyard composting can also serve this purpose, the Green Bin programs are viewed as being more convenient and more inclusive of source materials.

Contents

[edit] Green bins in Canada

The following municipalities have implemented a Green Bin program:

  • Toronto, Ontario began its program in the Etobicoke area in 2002, and expanded it in subsequent years until the entire city was covered in 2005.
  • Durham Region, Ontario's Green Bin program initially began with Scugog, Uxbridge, Brock and Clarington, but has since been expanded to all municipalities in the Region.
  • Markham, Ontario began its Green Bin collection program as part of its "Mission Green" in the fall of 2004 with implementation to 12,500 single-family residences. "Mission Green" is Markham's plan to divert 70% of its waste from landfill. In July 2005, the program was expanded town-wide. Markham was the first York Region municipality to implement a Green Bin collection program.

[edit] Compliance

Green bin programs have thus far been optional for residents. Many residents willingly cooperate with the programs.

In Toronto, as of March 2006, the program was diverting 100,000 tonnes from landfill each year.[1]

In Markham, over 90% of residents put out green bins and blue boxes each week. Including other recycling programs, 65% of waste is being diverted from landfill.[2].

In Durham Region, the introduction of the Green Bin in July 2006, coupled with an increase in pickup frequency for other recycleables, has led to a 39% decrease on tonnage sent to landfill compared to July 2005.[3].

In all programs, some residents perceive an increase in workload related to garbage handling, and object to the program on that basis. In Durham Region, some residents object to a requirement to use biodegradable liner bags, which adds a cost to the homeowner that does not exist in Toronto. The Markham and Toronto Green Bin programs allow residents to use regular plastic grocery sacks as liner bags.

The following mechanisms are typically used to encourage compliance:

  • Garbage collection is typically performed every second week.
  • The number of garbage bags allowed per collection is frequently restricted (e.g. three bags per pick up in Markham and four bags per pickup in Durham Region).
  • The use of clear garbage bags is sometimes mandated, in order to allow collection staff to determine if recylable material is being thrown out.

[edit] Green bins in the UK

Green bin programmes are now common in the UK. Green bins have been rolled out over the past 10 years to reduce the quantities of biodegradable waste contained in the black bag in response to the Landfill Directive. In the UK green bins do not generally include the collection of kitchen waste as this would require the biodegradable waste treatment facility to be more highly engineered to meet the requirements of the Animal By-products Regulations.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Green Bin Newsletter", City of Toronto, March/April, 2006.
  2. ^ "Mission Green Newsletter", Town of Markham, April, 2006.
  3. ^ Hatfield, Erin. "Diversion reaches 50 per cent", Durham Region News, 2006-09-22. Retrieved on 2006-09-30.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../g/r/e/Green_bin.html"