How Municipal Organics Programs Work
Curbside organics programs collect organic material separately from garbage and recycling. Collected material is taken to composting or anaerobic digestion facilities, where it is processed into compost used in municipal parks, agricultural land, or landfill cover. The quality of output compost depends on the absence of contaminants, which is why acceptance lists exist and why contamination is taken seriously by municipalities.
Most large Canadian cities — including Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton — operate some form of organics collection. Programs in smaller municipalities vary widely; some use a simple organic waste drop-off model rather than curbside pickup.
Acceptance rules change periodically as municipalities upgrade processing facilities or adjust contracts. The information below reflects publicly available guidelines as of early 2026. Check your municipality's current website to confirm what applies in your area.
Generally Accepted Across Canadian Municipalities
The following materials are accepted by the majority of municipal organics programs in Canada, though confirming with your city remains advisable:
- Raw fruits and vegetables, including peels, cores, and seeds
- Bread, pasta, rice, and other grain products (plain or cooked)
- Coffee grounds and paper coffee filters
- Loose tea and tea bags without staples or synthetic mesh
- Eggshells
- Paper towels and paper napkins
- Uncoated cardboard food containers (pizza boxes, egg cartons)
- Houseplants and cut flowers
- Yard waste: grass clippings, leaves, garden trimmings (where yard waste is part of the organics stream)
Items That Vary by Municipality
The following materials are accepted in some Canadian cities but rejected or restricted in others:
| Material | Cities Where Accepted | Cities Where Restricted |
|---|---|---|
| Meat, fish, and poultry | Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton | Some smaller municipalities; varies by processing facility |
| Dairy products and cheese | Toronto, Ottawa | Cities relying on open-windrow composting |
| Cooked food scraps | Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary | Some rural or smaller programs |
| Soiled paper and paper bags | Most Ontario and BC municipalities | Programs without high-throughput screening equipment |
| Certified compostable packaging (BPI-certified) | Some BC municipalities; Toronto (pilot) | Most Prairie municipalities |
| Fats and cooking oils | Some municipalities accept small amounts | Generally excluded; check locally |
Common Items That Are Not Accepted in Green Bins
Regardless of city, the following are typically excluded from curbside organics programs:
- Pet waste (dog, cat, or other animal feces)
- Diapers
- Plastic bags, including those labeled "biodegradable" but not certified compostable
- Wax-coated cardboard or treated paper
- Ashes from fireplaces or barbecues
- Sawdust or wood shavings from treated or painted lumber
- Soil and sod (some exceptions exist for small amounts)
- Liquids, including soup and beverages
City-Specific Notes
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto's Green Bin Program accepts a wide range of materials including meat, dairy, cooked food, and soiled paper. The city's processing facilities use an in-vessel composting system capable of handling animal products. The city's program pages at toronto.ca list accepted and excluded items with specific examples.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Metro Vancouver accepts food scraps through its residential food scraps collection program. Accepted materials include cooked food, meat, and fish. The Metro Vancouver website includes a full accepted materials list.
Calgary, Alberta
Calgary's green cart program accepts food scraps including cooked food but has restrictions on liquids and certain packaging. The city provides bin setup guidance and accepted item lists through calgary.ca.
Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa's Green Bin program is similar in scope to Toronto's, accepting meat, dairy, and cooked food. Ottawa accepts certified compostable bags as bin liners, which differs from some other municipalities that allow only paper liners.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax Regional Municipality operates one of Canada's longest-running organics programs. The program accepts food scraps, soiled paper, and yard waste. Pet waste is accepted in biodegradable bags in Halifax, which is an exception compared to most other Canadian cities.
Contamination and Why It Matters
When non-accepted materials enter the organics stream, they can damage processing equipment, introduce microplastics into finished compost, or cause an entire load to be rejected and sent to landfill. Municipalities track contamination rates and some have instituted bin audits or tagging programs for consistently contaminated bins.
Plastic bags are among the most damaging contaminants. Even bags marketed as "eco-friendly" or "plant-based" may not be certified compostable and can leave plastic fragments after processing. Most municipalities accept only paper liners or certified compostable bags that meet standards such as BPI or ASTM D6400.
References
City of Toronto — Green Bin Program
City of Calgary — Green Cart Program
Environment and Climate Change Canada — Composting