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Certified compostable bag liners added to the Green Bin program

Waterloo Region – Effective July 1, 2013, certified compostable plastic liner bags will be added to the Region’s Green Bin program, in addition to the paper liner choices currently available.  For the Region’s residents, that means a greater variety of choices:  paper liner bags, certified compostable plastic liner bags, do-it-yourself paper liners, or no liner at all.

Only certified compostable bags are allowed in the Green Bin program.  To identify certified compostable bags, residents are asked to look for either of the logos when making their purchase.  

Packages with either the Canadian or US compostable logo means these bags have been tested and meet the criteria for compostability at the green bin processing facility. Only certified compostable plastic liner bags with these approved logos can be used.

What not to use in the green bin:

  • Degradable bags such as biodegradable or oxo-biodegradable.
  • All  other types of standard plastic bags such as grocery and retail bags, milk and vegetable bags, and kitchen garbage bags.
  • Other compostable plastic items, such as cutlery.

There is no change to the Region’s yard waste program; bags must be paper only. 

More information on our waste programs can be found on our website at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste, the township collection calendars, the tri-city guide, or by calling customer service at 519-883-5100.

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Media contact:

Cari Rastas Howard, Project Manager Waste Management Programs, 519-883-5100 ext. 8412 or choward@regionofwaterloo.ca