Green Carts are for organics such as kitchen scraps, yard waste and pet waste. This includes:

Kitchen scraps

• Fruits and vegetables (raw and cooked)
• Table and plate scraps
• Meat, fish, bones and poultry carcasses
• Dairy products
• Bread and baked goods
• Coffee grounds, filters and tea bags
• Pasta, grains and beans
• Eggs and eggshells
• Food-soiled paper towels and napkins

Yard waste

• Brush, leaves and branches
• Grass and garden debris
• Wood shavings and chips
• Visit Yard Waste to learn more

Pet Waste

• All forms of pet waste
• Kitty litter
• Pet fur and feathers

Don't put these items in your cart

• Plastic bags
• Plastic containers
• Styrofoam
• Diapers
• Feminine hygiene products
• Large or domestic animal carcasses
• Diseased branches
• Fire pit, fire place or barbecue ashes
• Sod, soil, rocks or gravel

View the full list of what goes in your Green Cart (pdf)

1. Store your carts where it is most convenient for you, like in your yard or garage.
2. Write your address on the white area on the side of your carts.
3. Review what goes inside each cart.
4. Set the appropriate carts out on your pick-up day.
5. Once your Green Cart is full, extra yard waste that does not fit in your cart can be set out along with the full Green Cart, according to the extra yard waste pickup guidelines.
6. Return the carts back to your property after collection.
7. Periodically rinse your carts to help keep them tidy.

Yes, the weight of the cart and the material in the cart must not exceed 45 kg (100 lbs.) for a small cart or 90 kg (200 lbs.) for a medium cart. Green Carts are not available in the extra-large size.

If you can easily roll your cart, it is likely not overweight. If your cart is too heavy, remove some material and save it for your next collection day. If you are putting heavy material in your cart such as apples that have fallen from your trees or wet leaves in the spring, you may want to fill your cart only half full.

1. Kitchen containers were supplied as part of the original Green Cart starter package.
2. The City does not replace kitchen containers that break, go missing, or were taken by the previous owner or tenant.
3. Similar kitchen containers and other styles and sizes are available at hardware store, general merchandise stores or from online retailers.
4. You can also use a container you already have such as an ice cream pail or large yogurt container.
5. Store your kitchen container where most convenient, like under the sink.
6. Empty your kitchen container into your Green Cart as necessary.
7. Wash or rinse your container as needed. Your kitchen container is dishwasher safe.
8. Lining the kitchen container can help keep it tidy. Paper bags, newspaper, or certified compostable bags can all be used. Guide to compostable bags and liners (pdf)

Cart User Guide (pdf)
What Goes Where brochure (pdf)