Green Cart Tips
-
-
- Compostable organics are banned from landfills. Green carts have been in use since 1999 to help residents keep organics out of the landfill.
- Store the green cart outside, and use a mini-bin or container in your kitchen.
- The maximum cart capacity is 220 lb (100kg). Carts exceeding this weight cannot be lifted by the hydraulics on the collection truck.
- DO NOT overfill the cart. The lid should be able to close.
- If you receive an OOPS! sticker, it means there are non-compostable items (like diapers or plastic) in your cart.
- Carts come in two sizes: large (240L) and small (140L). Mini-bins can be bought for $5 or $10 at the Valley Waste office and Lawrencetown Transfer Station.
WARNING: DO NOT PUT ASHES IN YOUR GREEN CART. Ashes can cause a fire. Ashes are generally fine for your backyard compost pile. If you are unable to put ashes in your garden, put ashes outside until they are cold before putting them a clear garbage bag for collection. Do not put ashes in your green cart as they could contain metal pieces or other items. -
COLLECTION STARTS AT 7AM.
Ownership
Carts belong to Valley Waste and are linked to each property by serial number. Contact us to return extra carts. New cart delivery takes 3–4 weeks. When selling your home, leave assigned carts for the new owners. Carts won’t be replaced if dirty—regular cleaning is required. Buyers should check the green cart’s condition. Contact Valley Waste if a cart is lost, damaged, or needs replacement. Do not alter carts in anyway.
Disposal of Organics/ Compost
Compost can be put in empty boxboard containers (i.e. cereal boxes).
- Paper bags may be used for compost.
- Film ‘compostable’ bags may be used for compost provided they are identified by one of these symbols:
Please refer to our PDF guide for more information.
The primary cause of odours and insects in the compost cart are meat and fish as well as excess moisture from fruit, vegetables and grass clippings. Using boxboard to contain kitchen scraps is helpful. Table salt, hydrated lime, coffee grounds or baking soda can be used to absorb moisture and/or reduce odours and pests.
Raccoons
Drivers will not tip a cart that is secured with bungee cords. To deter raccoons and other animals we suggest using a heavy rock or brick to hold the lid down. In more rural areas building a storage box at the end of the driveway to store your green bin and bags in can also be a solution. Repellents such as cayenne pepper or baby powder sprinkled around the cart may also help deter pests. Adding a No-Pest strip to the inside of your bin can also help to repel insects.
Bears
Chlorine pucks or Irish Spring soap around your property can help to deter bears. They do not like the smell.
Maggots
- Put your cart out to air and dry in the sunshine.
- Cleaning your cart out on a regular basis can also help to alleviate odours which attracts animals and pests.
- Lining your bin with a compostable paper bag helps keep your bin dry. Please refer to our PDF guide for more information.
- Wrap your food in newspaper or box board to help reduce odours. You can also freeze smelly foods like seafood and dispose of it on collection day. Putting your cart out for every collection, even if it is not full, can help reduce the attraction of rodents.
- Rats love small, dry, dark, and warm places to hide. Give carts and their surrounding area a good wash with disinfectant. This will make it less likely for the rats to stick around.
- Cleaning up yard debris and potential nesting areas also gives them no place to hide! Restricting access to food and shelter will make your home less hospitable to rats and other vermin.
- Rats have a very sensitive nose, which they use to find food, but it can also be used to deter them. Here are some more repellent remedies:
- Ammonia
- Peppermint oil
- Castor oil
- Citronella oil
Soak several cotton balls in whatever oil or chemical you’re using, and tuck them in and around your garbage cans and other places you may expect to find rats.
Odours occur when organic materials break down without air.- Keep compost dry and well-ventilated to reduce smells.
- Use boxboard (e.g., cereal boxes) to absorb moisture, and line kitchen bins with paper bags or towels.
- Wrap meat, fish, bones, and cat litter in newspaper, paper towels, or empty sugar/flour bags.
- You can refrigerate or freeze smelly items until collection day.
- Sprinkle hydrated lime, baking soda, or coffee grounds in the cart to control odours.
- Store carts in the shade and clean regularly with water and detergent or vinegar.
- When empty, place a small amount of loosely balled newspaper in the bottom to absorb liquids without blocking airflow.
