Green bin

Green bins (a type of wheelie bin) are short rigid plastic containers often used to collect compostable materials as a means to divert waste from landfills. In some localities green bins are also used to contain unsorted municipal waste. The bins are designed and manufactured by Norseman Plastics, a leading manufacturer of recycling & organic waste containers in North America.

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 soiled paper products, pet waste, sawdust, and similar items) using the a waist-high green curbside container, for which the programs are named. 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.

Green bins by country

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.
* Peel Region, Ontario's Green Bin program began on April 2, 2007.
* In York Region, the city of Markham 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 city-wide. Markham was the first York Region municipality to implement a Green Bin collection program. As of September 17, 2007, the program has been implemented throughout the region.

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.cite news
url=http://www.toronto.ca/greenbin/pdf/newsletter/north_york/news2_english_ny.pdf
publisher=City of Toronto
title=Green Bin Newsletter
date=March/April, 2006]

*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.cite news
url=http://www.markham.ca/markham/resources/mgnewsletter_iss4_Apr06.pdf
publisher=Town of Markham
title=Mission Green Newsletter
date=April, 2006] .

*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.cite news
url=http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/regions/durham/story/3696570p-4273014c.html
first=Erin
last=Hatfield
publisher=Durham Region News
title= Diversion reaches 50 per cent
date=2006-09-22
accessdate = 2006-09-30] .

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 home-owner that does not exist in Toronto. The York Region 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 pick-up in Durham Region).
* The use of clear garbage bags is sometimes mandated, in order to allow collection staff to determine if recyclable material is being thrown out.

New Zealand

Green bins are known as Wheelie bins in New Zealand. Wheelie bins have been used by commercial waste collection companies for some time and are now beginning to be used by municipal authorities. Timaru has wheelie bins as part of the District Council waste collection. A similar scheme is set to begin in Christchurch by 2009.

United Kingdom

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.

ee also

* Blue Box (container)
* Blue bag - materials vary depending on the municipality
* Blue bin - composted materials
* Grey box - paper and cardboard
* Recycling bins - boxes with holes to allow users to drop in material for recycling
* Composting
* Mechanical biological treatment

References

External links

* [http://www.toronto.ca/greenbin/index.htm Toronto Green Bin Program]
* [http://www.region.durham.on.ca/works.asp?nr=/departments/works/waste/foodwaste.htm&setFooter=/includes/worksFooter.txt Durham Region Green Bin Program]
* [http://www.markham.ca/markham/channels/wastemgmt/missiongreen/material_acpted.htm Markham Green Bin Program]
* [http://www.norsemanplastics.com Norseman Plastics Web Site]