16-07-2025
Do you know what can and can't go in the green bin?
Organic materials are put into a compostable bag for the green bin program.
Do you know what can and what can't go into the green organics bin? The City of Barrie says unacceptable items are often found in the organics waste stream after curbside collection, including diapers, personal hygiene products and plastics.
'The City is seeing an increase in plastic being put in the organics waste stream collected curbside,' the City stated.
Residents using container liners must use certified compostable bags, paper bags or newspaper, not plastic bags.
"Even plastic bags labelled as biodegradable, degradable, or oxo degradable do not break down in the municipal composting process and are not accepted in Barrie's organics program," the City explained.
As for what can go into the green bin, here's a list of acceptable items:
All food scraps and leftovers, including bones
Coffee grounds and filters, tea bags
Cooking oils and grease
Soiled pizza boxes
Fast food drink trays
Hair (including from pets)
Pet waste and plant-based kitty litter
Small animal bedding
Dried flowers
Eggs and egg shells
House plants
Microwave popcorn bags
Paper egg cartons, paper cups, paper plates
Napkins and tissues
Popsicle sticks, wooden toothpicks
Pumpkins
Wood wine corks, cooled wood ashes
Items that should not be tossed into the organics bin include:
Diapers and hygiene products
Plastic bags, wrap or containers
Plastic bags labelled as biodegradable
Sod, soil or rocks
Yard waste
Dryer lint
Bandages, gauze
Styrofoam
Textiles
Vacuum bags and contents
Dead animals
Ceramics
Drinking straws
Construction or demolition waste, treated wood
Green bins are collected weekly. In September, the City will transition to a new automated cart collection service that includes new waste and organics bins.
Residents can get a kitchen catcher or curbside organics bin for free by contacting