London's Green Bin

January 2023 update: Most current information available about the Green Bin program

The ongoing supply chain issues in the automotive and truck sector continue to occur which has prevented the City of London from announcing a start date for the Green Bin program. The major cause for the longer than normal build and delivery times is attributed to the shortage of parts, labour pressures, raw material shortages and a backlog from the pandemic.

Available information suggests that a late fall 2023 start-up for the program is possible but still needs to be confirmed.

The collection frequency for Green Bin will be weekly, same day and garbage will be bi-weekly, same day. For background:

Most communities with Green Bin services provide bi-weekly garbage service.
Because the “smelly” portion of garbage is collected weekly in the Green Bin, garbage can be held for a longer period of time.
Reduced garbage collection frequency relative to Green Bin collection will encourage increased participation in the Green Bin program. Municipalities with Green Bin programs have found that the amount of organic material collected in the Green Bin increases by 50% to 100% with the introduction of bi-weekly garbage collection. Blue Box recycling rates also increased.
Messaging and solutions for handling pet waste, diapers, bulky items, and container limits are part of future discussion at Civic Works Committee meetings before final design of the program occurs. Municipalities in Ontario have different solutions in this regard and are being further examined by City staff.
London resident feedback from early 2020 indicates some specific concerns about reduced garbage collection frequency, however almost 40% noted that they still supported bi-weekly garbage, and about another 25% had no concerns.

There is a desire to have recycling be weekly as well; however this is now subject to approval from Circular Materials Ontario, the organization that will be financially and administratively responsible for recycling in London starting July 1, 2023.

More details can be found in a recent report to the Civic Works Committee.

Other details can be found in this report dated March 30, 2021 to Civic Works Committee.

About this project

The City of London is continuing to engage residents in the design of our Green Bin program. We are hoping to learn more about what will drive your ability and desire to participate in this new program.

What is a Green Bin?

A Green Bin is like a blue (recycling) bin, but for food waste such as fruit and vegetable skins, spoiled leftovers, and other inedible food waste like bones. The Green Bin would be collected from your home at the curbside much like your Blue Box is, and the materials from your Green Bin would be composted or digested.