Green Bin Program
Each of us is responsible for the waste we produce in the spaces at school where we work, learn, and play. Starting a school green bin program is similar to starting a recycling program. Both need leadership, an effective communication strategy, and staff and student support. And both allow the school community to work together to further reduce their waste and environmental impact.
As part of the Board's waste disposal agreement with the City of Toronto, all schools are required to participate in the Green Bin Program (except for those on private pick-up). And EcoSchools offers a rebate for buying bins!
The following sections provide information, explanations, and tips to help your school successfully divert its organic waste from garbage bin to green bin. Or, open this PDF that has all the details, or this other PDF that has the overview.
Questions? Contact the EcoSchools team at:
What are the benefits?
The Toronto Green Bin Program takes organic waste (unavoidable food scraps, paper towel, tissue, and paperboard products like soiled pizza boxes) and processes it using anaerobic digestion. The end product is a crumbly material that is turned into useable nutrient-rich compost used to feed and nourish soil.
When organics go to the landfill, these nutrients are lost, hazardous leachates are produced, and methane gas is released. Methane gas traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere much more efficiently than CO2. Reducing methane emissions by diverting valuable organics away from landfills could have an immediate, beneficial effect on our climate.
Start small and do it well!
Weekly pick-up day: same day as garbage pick-up; if garbage is picked up twice a week put it out on the first day.
Focus on implementing a successful collection process for one area of your school, for example:
Start paper towel collection in the washrooms
Place residential sized (12 gallon #8046) green bins in the lunchroom/cafeteria
Collect food waste created from a breakfast, snack, lunch, daycare, and/or hospitality program
Regardless of how you start, the expectation is to put out containers for collection each week.
Who does what?
The Principal’s role
provides leadership and direction for the green bin team
together with the head caretaker and school staff, collaborates on a workable timeline and scope of the green-bin organics program
works with head caretaker to determine location of mid-size (12 gallon #8046) residential green bin containers
co-ordinates daycare, school nutrition and other programs’ participation
ensures routines are in place to collect, empty and clean classroom “kitchen catchers” (1.85 gallon #8045) into mid-size residential-size green bins
oversees purchase of additional classroom and mid-size bins (see page about available rebates)
Education Staff and Students' role
together with the head caretaker and principal, collaborates on a workable timeline and scope of the green-bin organics program
educates school community (using announcements, student-created posters, virtual assemblies, green-bin awards) on the proper placement of materials into the green bin
monitors, empties, and cleans classroom bins daily or as-needed to prevent odour and fruit flies. Can be carried out by class representatives or members of a green bin team. Classroom bins can be lined with newspaper, paper towel or (non-compostable) plastic bags
works with school community to create an effective green bin program, e.g., visually inspecting bins to reduce contamination, awarding classrooms with low contamination, promoting eco-friendly lunches
The Caretaker’s role
together with the principal and school staff, collaborates on a workable timeline and scope of the green-bin organics program and informs FTL of plans
contacts FTL to initiate City green-bin organics pick-up if necessary or to obtain outdoor front-end bins or carts (see FTL role for details)
together with the principal, decides the best central locations for the residential-size green bins (e.g., on each floor, in staff rooms, school kitchens, science labs, food and nutrition classrooms and programs, day care, lunchrooms, and cafeterias).
empties and lines residential-size green bins daily, or as needed, and always before a weekend or holiday
transfers the organics from the residential-size green bins (both centrally located and in high-use areas) to the green carts (35 gallon) or bulk bin to be emptied by the City. Cleans residential-size green bins or 35-gallon green carts as needed
works with school community to create an effective green bin program, e.g., communicating when bins are heavily contaminated
ensures front-end containers or carts are place in approved location for weekly collection. Calls 311 (311@toronto.ca) to report missed collection of garbage, recycling and organics. For ongoing pick-up issues, contacts FTL
The Facility Team Leader’s role
For schools with City green bin pick-up in place
FTL informs Learning Centre (LC) garbage representative if head caretaker indicates ongoing city pick-up issues. Head Caretaker to include 311 reference numbers. Information sent to city to resolve.
provides outside collection containers—green carts or bulk bin
connects with City to co-ordinate collection and informs school when the organics/green bin will be collected
For schools that require the City to re-start green bin pick-up
School informs FTL of their intention to re-start green bin program and advise FTL on start date for program once routines and outside carts/front-end bins are in place
If needed FTL can review with Head-Caretaker and school staff location of outside collection bins, e.g., green carts or front-end bulk bins.
FTL informs LC garbage representative of green bin program start date who would then inform the City to re-start program
For schools that require the City to start a green bin pick-up
FTL informs LC garbage representative to acquire city approval of cart or front-end bin pick up
LC garbage representative informs FTL to orders 2yd bin from TDSB approved vendor or fills out City forms to get collection carts for schools.
once routines and outside carts/front-end bin are in place school informs FTL of start date. FTL informs LC garbage representative of green bin program start date who would then inform the City to start program
Schools on Private collection are not eligible for green bin program
The TDSB EcoSchools Central team’s role
provides rebates to schools for classroom and residential-size green bin purchases
provides posters and other green bin guides to support the running of the green bin program (see Order Form)
offers direct support and strategies to launch and to get buy-in for school green bin program help with setting up routines and overcoming challenges
connects schools with educational partners that offer classroom waste programs, workshops and assemblies
supports teachers with educational resources across the curriculum to raise awareness and generate solutions for real-life environmental issues such as waste.
supports schools and EcoTeams connect green bin actions to the EcoSchools Certification program
Setting up your program
Letting everyone know about the Green Bin Program and how it will work in your school is a team effort and an ideal project for your EcoTeam.
1. Setting up a green bin team
Having a dedicated group of people to help plan the Green Bin Program roll-out at your school can lead to a much more effective implementation. Things to consider:
Include those who produce green bin waste such as daycare, breakfast, snack and lunch programs, food programs, etc.
Decide how often you will meet before and after the launch
Keep a calendar with timelines, steps, and targets
Ask for staff input, identify issues, and be sure to address concerns
Use a site plan (download from Facility Services website) to identify locations for residential-size green bins ordered by the school
Set up a routine to collect, empty, and clean all green bins
Position containers and posters the day before the launch
Consider providing green bin launch T-shirts for team members
2. Developing your promotional plan
Consider some of the following ideas when developing your promotional plan.
Ask the Principal to send a memo to teachers endorsing the program
Discuss the program at staff meetings
Post banners in your front lobby, posters in the hallways, or notices on your website
Set up a display in your front foyer
Distribute posters throughout the school
Engage students by inviting them to sign a commitment poster
Develop a script for daily PA or class announcements
Prepare a green bin team presentation that travels from class to class. (Schools tell us how successful these visits are for improving the recycling program.)
Have an assembly the day before or morning of your launch
Write school newsletter articles; use social media
3. Launching your program
Train class monitors the week before your launch on collection routines and doing visual checks to see what is in the bins and take out anything that does not belong. Provide them with a green bin button, sash, or T-shirt
Debrief afterwards: What worked well? What would you eliminate or add?
4. Expanding your program
Once you've been running a successful program for at least a few months you may want to consider expanding green bin collection to other areas of the school to start in the new school year.
To prepare for expansion:
Monitor the current program. See if there are areas of the school where you could improve sorting and/or use additional bins.
Consider collecting five-gallon pails from Caretakers to start paper towel collection in the washrooms.
Order additional residential-size (12 gallon #8046) and room-size (1.85 gallon #8045) bins from the Distribution Centre - and EcoSchools offers a rebate on your purchases!
If your school needs additional 35 gallon carts or if you are interested in seeing if it is possible to replace the carts with a bulk bin, the Caretaker can contact your Facility Team Leader.
Green Bin FAQs
Green Bin Basics
Whose responsibility is the Green Bin Program?
Like the recycling program, responsibilities are shared throughout the school. The Principal and Caretaker can decide on the best central locations for the outside collection containers and residential size bins. These larger bins will need to be emptied and lined by the Caretaker daily, or as needed, and always before a weekend or holiday. Staff and students are responsible for regularly emptying and cleaning any room sized bins they are using.
Is the school Green Bin program the same as the City of Toronto residential program?
Yes, the program is the same. Use the green bin posters and labels for guidance on what goes where.
Our school is interested in expanding our program on a larger scale. What do we do to receive additional bins?
We ask that any school interested in running their program on a larger scale initially focus on starting small and doing it well. Assess your program to see if you are ready to expand. If you are, place an order for additional inside collection containers from the Distribution Centre and/or contact your Facility Team Leader to request additional outside bins.
Bins and Bags
Should we be using compostable bags?
No. The City of Toronto does not want people to use compostable bags for the green bin program. Residential-sized bins and outside collection containers can be lined with plastic bags-these are removed during processing. To minimize waste, line your room-size green bin with clean paper towels, newspapers, or paper bags and empty regularly.
Who is responsible for purchasing bags and/or paper towels to line the room-size containers?
The cost of bags or paper towels for the room-size containers is covered by the school based budget.
How often do the room-size bins need to be emptied?
It all depends on how often they are used. If they only collect paper towel you may be able to empty it at the end of the week. If you use it for food try to empty it every day to avoid smells and pests.
Where should the 35 gallon carts be stored during the week?
Storage of the 35 gallon carts during the week will be left up to the discretion of the Head Caretaker and Principal based on available indoor and outdoor space. To reduce smells and pests, tie off bags tightly before placing them in the bins and rinse out as needed.
Pests and smells
How do we avoid pests and smells?
Empty inside collection containers daily or as needed. Tie off plastic bags tightly before placing in outside collection containers. Always close the lids after use and clean the bins regularly.
We have a few fruit flies, what should we do?
A fruit fly trap is a simple way to get rid of fruit flies. Pour half inch of apple cider vinegar in a jar and few drops of dish detergent. Cover with a piece of clear plastic wrap held in place with an elastic band and punch small holes in the plastic. Fruit flies will be attracted to the smell but once in are unable to escape. http://gardentherapy.ca/fruit-fly-trap/
What are some strategies for keeping the room-size bins clean?
Staff and students are responsible for keeping the room-size bins clean. Some tips for cleaning these bins include:
Empty the bins regularly
Line the bins with clean paper towels, newspapers, or paper bags. Learn how to make your own newspaper origami bin liners at https://youtu.be/BfEX85V9n8w
One school created a small cleaning station with a vinegar and water spray bottle and paper towels beside their designated collection areas. Staff and students used these items to clean out their bin after emptying it.
Program planning
What are some ways that we could start a manageable small scale Green Bin Program at our school?
Start collecting paper towels in the washrooms
Place residential sized green bins in the lunchroom/cafeteria
Collect food waste created by the breakfast, snack, lunch, daycare, and/or hospitality program
Our school already runs a boomerang lunch program, do we need to start a Green Bin Program as well?
Yes, while it's great that your school has already been working hard to reduce the amount of waste it produces all schools are required to start the Green Bin Program as part of the Board's contract with the City. To complement the work you are already doing consider collecting organic waste in other areas of the school, e.g., a food prep area or washroom paper towels.
Now that we're running the Green Bin Program our bulk garbage bin is often half-full when it gets picked up. Can we have fewer garbage pick-ups?
Yes. If your school is currently on twice a week pick-up you could consider moving to once a week pick-up. If you are already on once a week pick-up your Caretaker can place a DO NOT DUMP sign on the bin (available from their Facility Team Leader).
Use the "Support Materials" subpage for information on ordering recycling/compost bins and toters.
