Green cart newsletter

Make a difference
recycle organics
every day
Summer 2014
Newsletter for residents in
the Green Cart Pilot program
lax and breeze
wsletter. Re
e
n
s
i
h
ft
ecycle even mor
me o
euse and R
e.
e
R
h
,
t
e
c
du
he
t
e
R
s
’
t
to
tha
ired
. And
p
y
s
s
a
n
i
e
s
are
It’s summertime and the living i
e y ou
p
o
h
e
through this easy-to-read info. W
Q&A with a Superintendent
Be a natural consumer
Buy + Know + Throw + Grow
Buy local
Freshness and flavour
Support local farmers
Environment-friendly (less travel time)
Know your
organics
Food scraps
Paper waste (paper towel, facial
tissues, etc.)
Pet waste
Throw in the Your organics are resources used
to make compost.
green cart
Grow local
food
Local farmers use this compost to grow more crops.
Feed your children. Feed the
green cart. Feed farmers’ fields.
Recently, we interviewed Doug, a superintendent
at Seagram Lofts to get a better understanding
(and tips!) on why blue, grey and green cart recycling
at his apartment building is so successful.
How do new residents learn about recycling?
When residents move in, he tours them around
the building, including the recycling room. He
explains about the different programs, highlighting
the Green Cart pilot program.
What is the participation rate? Approximately 95
per cent of residents use the green cart!
Why is it so successful?
Superintendents check the bins and continually
educate residents if they put something in that
doesn’t belong. TIP: Signs above the different bins
help! Thanks, Doug and Seagram Loft residents!
Keep up the great work!
Are you new to this building and need a start up
kit? Or perhaps you have a comment or suggestion
about this pilot program?
Please email kkitagawa@regionofwaterloo.ca
or call 519-575-4400.
Taking a vacation
from washing
dishes?
Please recycle your paper
plates and napkins! Toss
them in the green bin.
Put plastic cutlery in the
garbage.
www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste
The ECO-DEPOT - One stop to do a lot
GREEN CART
BLUE CART
• All food scraps
• Paper waste such as paper
towels and facial
tissues
• Houseplant waste
• Pet waste
• Metal, glass and
plastic containers
• Paint cans (dry, no lid)
• Aerosol cans
• Milk and juice
cartons
• NEW! Blister
packs (hard, seethrough plastic)
3 Ways to kick the plastic bag habit
GREY CART
• Household papernewspapers, books,
magazines
• Boxes, paper tubes,
paper egg cartons
• NEW! Bread bags,
frozen vegetable
bags, outer wrap
from cases of pop
and packages of
diapers
Check our website for preparation instructions.
Regular plastic bags are handy,
but don’t compost. Please don’t
put them in the green cart.
Here are options for lining your
kitchen container:
1. Use paper (newspaper, takeout paper bags or buy paper
liner bags).
2. Use certified compostable
plastic liners. Look for these
logos when buying them.
3. Use regular plastic (grocery)
bags BUT empty your organics
into the green cart first and
then put the plastic bag in the
garbage.
Gets recycled into...
Keep your
kitchen
container
clean and
fresh
Keep your lid on!
Recycling tip: Keep small plastic lids
on containers so they get recycled.
Remove large metal lids from jars
so they can get recycled with other
metal.
Kids Corner
Draw a line and match the items to green bin,
blue bin or landfill. See the answer at
www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste.
• Use natural deodorizers
such as baking soda or
white vinegar.
• Wash your container regularly (it’s dishwasher
safe!).
Colour us recycling colours!
Don’t trash your world,
compost and recycle instead!
@WasteWR
Region of Waterloo
Waste Management
Call 519-575-4400 | TTY 519-575-4608
recycled paper containing 100% post consumer waste
www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste