According to our 2022 Waste Composition Study, about 10% of all waste that ends up in Hartland Landfill is avoidable food waste, such as wilted lettuce, stale bread and meat leftovers. These were foods that should have been eaten or donated before being thrown away.

Reducing the amount of food waste created in the first place removes the need to sort, transport and process food scraps through composting facilities. Visit our Love Food Hate Waste page for tips and tricks on how to reduce food waste.

Items listed below are materials typically accepted in organics collection programs. Please contact your service provider for specific information.

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Food leftovers, plate scrapings
• Meat, fish, giblets and bones
• Dairy products, butter, mayonnaise
• Eggshells and seafood shells
• Bread, cereal, grains
• Pasta, pizza
• Baked goods, candies
• Soiled paper towels and tissues
• Soiled paper food packaging
• Soiled newsprint
• Used paper cups and plates
• Butcher and parchment papers
• Flour and sugar bags
• Coffee filters and grounds
• Paper tea bags and leaves
• Solidified fats and grease
• Baking ingredients, herbs, spices
• Houseplants, cut and dried flowers
• Nuts, pits, seeds and shells
• Wooden stir sticks and chop sticks
• Certified compostable food waste bags

Items listed below are materials typically not accepted in kitchen scraps collection programs. Please contact your service provider for specific information.

• Non-fibrous items marketed as compostable or biodegradable (eg. containers and cutlery, packing peanuts and blocks, wipes)
• Plastic wrap, Styrofoam
• Plastic tea bags
• To-go cups
• Cartons or tetra packs
• Cereal and cracker box liners
• Waxed paper and waxed cardboard (excepted when used to contain spoiled produce)
• Chip and cookie bags
• Pet food bags and other lined bags
• Make-up remover pads, cotton swabs and balls
• Dental floss, rubber bands
• Bandages and gauze
• Soiled diapers, baby wipes
• Sanitary hygiene products, condoms
• Dryer sheets and lint
• Cigarettes and butts
• Vacuum contents and bags
• Pet feces or litter
• Hair

Food scraps are a valuable resource and by keeping them separated from garbage, they can be turned into a important soil amendment. Composted food scraps contain nutrients and minerals essential for healthy plant development.

They also encourage healthy soil ecosystems through the addition of micro-organisms. These organisms can help reduce garden pests and encourage beneficial insects, which can reduce or eliminate pesticide use.

Food scraps that end up in the landfill produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Keeping food scraps and other organics out of landfills reduces the amount of methane produced and potentially released into the atmosphere.

Single Family Homes

Residential garbage, food scraps and yard/garden material services are provided through a combination of municipal programs and private services. Read more >>

Multi-family Buildings

In addition to garbage and recycling, food scraps collection services are also supplied by the private sector. If you have concerns about the services offered in your building please contact your building manager.

Commercial Buildings

As with multi-family buildings, waste collection services for commercial buildings is supplied by the private sector. If you are business located within a commercial building, we recommend connecting with the building manager regarding waste generation and service needs.

Concerned about composting and pests?

Kitchen Catcher Tips

• Use a container that seals and line the container with a compostable bag or newspaper.
• Layer container with soiled paper towel or napkins to absorb extra moisture.
• Collect meat and fish scraps in a compostable bag and store in freezer until collection day.
• Empty and wash bins frequently.

Outdoor Bin Tips

• Store bins in a shady location during warm weather.
• Consider securing your bins in a fenced area, shed or garage.
• Wait until the morning of collection day to place bins at the curb.
• Place bins out every collection day, even if they are not full.
• Keep bins clean, particularly the outside of the lid and sides, by using mild detergent or vinegar/water solution.
• If larger animals are a concern, ask your service provider if they have suggestions on how you can adapt your container to secure the lid (eg. bungee cord that driver removes).
  

Items marketed as compostable or biodegradable (e.g., containers, cutlery, wipes) and are a similar appearance and texture to plastic are not compatible with composting systems in Canada. Fibre-based compostable products (e.g., bamboo cutlery, paper plates) are often accepted in local composting programs.

Check out the City of Victoria's Sustainable Takeout Guide for examples or the Compost Education Centre's Understanding Compostable Plastics factsheet for more information.