Getting Started with Green Condo

Not sure where to begin?

Here are 10 important things to know about waste:

Multi-residential buildings have a dismal waste diversion rate, compared to single family homes. There are many reasons for this, which we will explore on the site, but it’s important to recognize we all can do better.

On average, 75% of what residents throw down the garbage chute can go into recycling (blue bin), or is food waste that can go into organics (green bin). Does your building use blue and green bins?

Most municipalities pick up garbage bins from buildings at a cost, but pickup of recycling and organics is free!

Therefore, if every resident disposed of their waste properly your building could save thousands of dollars each year on waste disposal costs. That savings could be passed on to you, the homeowner.

Food isn’t garbage. It goes in the green bin. Residents can get ‘kitchen catchers’ (often for free from their municipality) to put under their sink to collect food waste. It does not smell! Place a paper towel at the bottom of your kitchen catcher bag to help absorb moisture.

Blue bins can easily get contaminated. If the contents of a blue bin get wet – the WHOLE contents of the blue bin must be treated as garbage. Rinse items that have food residue in them before disposing of them in the blue bin.

Disposable coffee cups, food waste and old clothes are NOT RECYCLABLE.

Old batteries, lightbulbs and computer electronics are recycled separately from your blue bin items.