City to Launch Green Bin Collection Program the First Week of June

The City of Owen Sound is thrilled to launch its new Green Bin Program, with collection starting the first week of June. Residents will be able to use green bins to dispose of organic waste, such as food scraps, soiled paper, pet waste, and other compostable materials, with curbside collection every week. It’s easy and convenient to take part in the program; no additional tags are required, and bins will be delivered directly to eligible homes!

The Green Bin Program is the culmination of Council’s priority to improve waste diversion and reduce landfill waste, the dedication of staff, and public input to the City’s Waste Management Strategy, updated in 2023. 

Beginning in mid-May, every eligible residential property will receive a curbside green bin, a kitchen catcher pail, and an information package delivered free of charge. While the bins will arrive in May, they should not be used until the first green bin collection in June.  More information is always available on the City’s website at OwenSound.ca/GreenBins.

Green bin collection will take place on the same day of the week as residents’ regular garbage collection. However, while garbage will continue to be collected every other week, green bins will be collected weekly. For more information on your garbage collection day, please visit OwenSound.ca/Waste.

What CAN Go in the Green Bin: Food scraps such as fruits and vegetables, meat, fish and bones, dairy products, coffee grounds and tea bags, soiled paper such as napkins, paper straws or paper plates, pet waste (directly in the bin or in a compostable – not biodegradable – bag), and other compostable items such as wooden stir sticks.

What CANNOT Go in the Green Bin: Any type of plastics (including biodegradable – not compostable – bags), leaf and yard waste, diapers, cigarette butts and ashes, soil or rocks, metal, and glass of any type.

To help residents better manage their waste, the City is also introducing the Recycling Coach app, coming in the next few weeks. This interactive app provides residents with a “What Goes Where” option to help residents identify the correct disposal methods for a variety of items, including green bin materials, garbage, hazardous waste, and yard waste. The app also features image recognition, enabling users to take pictures of waste and receive guidance on where to dispose of it. A website version of Recycling Coach’s “What Goes Where” will also soon be available on the City’s Waste Management and Green Bin web pages.

For more information, please contact Heidi Jennen, Supervisor of Environmental Services, at (519) 376-1440 ext. 3223 or hjennen@owensound.ca.

Quotes:

“The Green Bin program isn't just a new waste collection program in Owen Sound — it's a bold step toward a greener future. By making it easier to divert household waste from landfills, we’re taking real action to reduce our environmental footprint and build a more sustainable City. I encourage everyone to take part — small actions can make a big impact.”

-      Mayor Ian Boddy

Quick Facts:

• Eligible households for the Green Bin program are residential properties with six or fewer units, excluding the River District area
• The new Green Bin Collection will start the first week of June 2025.
• For more information regarding Green Bin Collection, please visit OwenSound.ca/GreenBins. For more information regarding waste management, please visit OwenSound.ca/Waste.

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