Organics (food and yard waste)

FAQs (frequently asked questions)

• LINERS: Should I use a liner in my small kitchen bin or curbside Organics cart?

  Liners are not required however, if you choose to do so be sure to use an all paper product such as a yard waste bag, newspaper, or soiled pizza box - do not use a plastic bag or anything that includes a plastic liner even if it is marked as being compostable or biodegradable as these are not compatible with the facility equipment - the compost system being used will not fully break down these products therefore, the residue will contaminate the finished compost product.

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  The Town of Comox has partnered with the Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) who sustainably manages organics (food and yard waste) for residents who receive municipal collection services. CSWM has an Organic Matter Recycling Regulation Permit with the Province - please click here to learn more. They set the guidelines for cart liners and what is acceptable as organics cart content. For more detail, please click here to visit their website which includes the information below:

  Bags labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable' are not accepted in our composting program. We understand that this can be confusing. Certification standards currently allow a plastic to be called 'biodegradable' or 'compostable' if it breaks down to a specified degree, over a minimum period of time, when exposed to a certain minimum temperature and other physical conditions. However, not all composting and digestion facilities operate under those conditions, and the required conditions can vary depending on the specific certification applied. Our operation will not break them down sufficiently. 
  
  The practice of private companies labeling products as  'biodegradable' or 'compostable' is under review as many municipalities and regions are facing similar challenges. The Federal government is currently working on developing regulations that would prohibit the labelling of plastic products as degradable, biodegradable or compostable unless they meet a specific standard more aligned to the conditions the majority of  composting facilities use. 
  
  If you are looking for ways to line your bin, try newspaper, plain brown paper, or paper towel. Freezing your kitchen scraps and transferring them to your curbside green bin on the day of pick-up is a good way to reduce odors, pests and keep your curbside bin clean.

• What can and cannot go into my Organics cart?

  The Town of Comox has partnered with the Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) who sustainably manages organics (food and yard waste) for residents who receive municipal collection services. CSWM has an Organic Matter Recycling Regulation Permit with the Province - please click here to learn more. They set the guidelines for cart liners and what is acceptable as organics cart content.

  Check out these resources for a full list of items:

  • Food and Yard Waste Program Guide 
  • Wizard tool available on the:
    • Comox Curbside App (on Apple or Google Play) or the
    • Town website solid waste page (scroll about halfway down that webpage, look for the magnifying glass symbol called Wizard)

  At a glance, the common items below are:

  ACCEPTED:

  • food scraps:
    • fruit / vegetables / dairy / egg shells / meat / poultry / fish / shellfish and bones
  • tea bags / coffee grounds and filters (not disposable pods)
  • food soiled paper products: paper towel / napkins / plates
  • cardboard: pizza boxes and takeout containers
  • flowers / leaves / non-invasive plants / grass trimmings
  • branches (each branch can be no more than 3 inches in diameter and fit inside the cart with the lid closed)

  NOT ACCEPTED

  • pet waste and litter / diapers / baby wipes / personal hygiene items
    • (bag and place into your curbside garbage cart)
  • Household Hazardous Waste
    • (take to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre on a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off day)
  • fats, oil and grease
    • (place into your household garbage or into a sealed container and take to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre on a Household Hazardous Waste drop-off day)
  • dirt / sod / soil / rocks /stumps / lumber 
  • branches over 3 inches in diameter 
  • invasive plants (put into your garbage cart)
  • metal / synthetic materials / plastic / glass / rubber
  • food stickers / twist ties / elastics
  • paper towel with household cleaners on them
  • plastic bags / plates or cutlery (even if they are labelled as compostable or biodegradable)
  • plastic or foam containers / take out food containers

• What container do I use in my kitchen?

  Use any container you want as you will be dumping the contents into your larger Organics cart for curbside collection.

  Prior to the start of the Organics program, the Comox Strathcona Waste Management Service did a one-time delivery of small green kitchen bins to households that receive the curbside collection of organics. These are small enough to be kept  on the kitchen counter or under the kitchen sink.

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  Should you like one of these bins, please contact either the:

  • Town of Comox Municipal Works at 250-339-5410 or email. You will then need to pick up the bin from our Municipal Works Yard at 1390 Guthrie Road (parking and front door located on Torrence Road), during regular business hours 8:30am to 4:30pm (closed 12-1).
  • Comox Strathcona Waste Management Service at 250-334-6016 or email.

  LINE YOUR BIN: If you choose to line your bin, ensure it is an all paper product such as newspaper or a paper bag - do not use a plastic bag or anything that includes a plastic liner even if it is marked as being compostable or biodegradable as it is not compatible with the facility equipment and the compost system being used will not fully break down these products therefore, the residue will contaminate the finished compost product.

• Reduce odour and minimize attracting wildlife.

  • Put your cart out for collection each week even if it only contains a small amount.
  • Place cart at the curb on collection day, not the night before and bring in as soon as possible after collection.
  • During warm weather:
    • Store cart in a garage, shed or shady area.
    • If possible, freeze compost during the week and put into the cart on collection day.
  • Clean the cart with hot water and phosphate-free, environmentally friendly detergent, and/or sprinkle with baking soda.
• How to keep carts clean.

  It is the resident's responsibility to keeps carts clean - the tips below may help:

  • Line the inside bottom of cart with sheets of newspaper or use an "all paper" yard waste bag (see question above about the acceptable type of bag LINERS).
  • Put your cart out for collection each week even if it only contains a small amount.
  • During warm weather:
    • Store cart in a garage, shed or shady area.
    • If possible, freeze compost during the week and put into the cart on collection day.
  • Wash cart with hot water and phosphate-free, environmentally friendly detergent, and/or sprinkle with baking soda.
• I cannot fit all my yard waste into my organics cart with the lid fully closed.

  • Store extra organics (lawn clippings, leaves) on your property and refill your organics cart over the following weeks.
  • Do not bag your lawn clippings; instead, mulch your grass (and leaves) and leave it on your lawn as a natural fertilizer that provides moisture.
  • Take your excess organics to the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre in Cumberland, visit their website for more information or call 250-336-8066.
  • Ensure the waste is not packed too tightly in the cart as it may not fully empty into the collection truck. If that happens, it is not considered a missed collection - loosen the contents in your cart for the next collection day.  
  • Should you require an increase to your service level by way of an additional or larger cart please visit the Cart Changes webpage.
• My cart was not fully emptied.

  • Ensure the waste is not packed too tightly in the cart as it may not fully empty into the collection truck. If that happens, it is not considered a missed collection - loosen the contents in your cart for the next collection day.  
  • Should you require an increase to your service level by way of an additional or larger Organics cart please visit the Cart Changes webpage.
• What are the weight limits for the carts?

  Please find below the weight limits for each cart. The limits are based on the cart size, not on the cart type.

  • 360L Cart max weight limit = 332.5 lbs
  • 240L Cart max weight limit = 227.5 lbs
  • 120L Cart max weight limit = 122.5 lbs
• I have a question that was not answered here.

  Click to explore:

  • Solid Waste, especially the Calendar and Wizard tools (halfway down that page) and the GENERAL FAQs section (bottom of that page).
  • Cart Basics 
  • Cart Set Out Guidelines 

  Still have a question? Please contact Comox Public Works by email at publicworks@comox.ca or phone: 250-339-5410.

  Thank you.