As festive gatherings fill homes with cheer and feasts, the City of Windsor is issuing a timely reminder to its residents: don't forget the green bin. With the holiday season generating significant amounts of food scraps and organic waste, municipal officials are encouraging everyone to make full use of their curbside organics collection program.
Why Holiday Green Bin Use Matters
The period from late December into early January typically sees a substantial spike in household waste. Leftover holiday dinners, vegetable peelings from meal preparation, and other organic materials can quickly fill up garbage bags destined for the landfill. By actively using the green bin, Windsor residents can divert this nutrient-rich material away from landfills, where it would otherwise decompose and produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
This diversion is a key component of the city's waste management strategy, aiming to reduce the environmental footprint of the community. When placed in the green bin, food waste and other acceptable organics are transformed into valuable compost, a soil amendment that can be used in gardens, parks, and landscaping projects, closing the loop in a sustainable cycle.
What Goes In the Windsor Green Bin?
To ensure the program's efficiency and avoid contamination, residents should be clear on what materials are accepted. The green bin is designed for a wide variety of kitchen and yard waste.
Common holiday-related items that belong in the green bin include:
- All food scraps: vegetable and fruit peelings, plate scrapings, bones, meat, fish, dairy products, and eggshells.
- Baked goods like bread, cakes, and pastries.
- Food-soiled paper products: napkins, paper towels, paper plates (without a plastic coating), and pizza boxes.
- Coffee grounds and filters, along with tea bags.
- Natural holiday decorations like pumpkins, gourds, and wreaths (remove wire and ribbons).
It is crucial to avoid placing plastic bags, packaging, or other non-organic materials in the green bin, as these contaminants can disrupt the composting process. Using certified compostable bags or simply lining the kitchen catcher with newspaper are recommended practices.
A Simple Step for a Greener Community
The city's reminder, issued on December 23, 2025, serves as a nudge for residents to incorporate sustainable habits into their holiday routines. Making space for the green bin next to the kitchen trash can during big cooking days can make participation effortless.
This initiative is more than just a waste management tactic; it's a community-wide effort to embrace environmental responsibility. By taking a moment to sort their waste, Windsor citizens contribute directly to reducing landfill mass, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and producing a useful product from what would otherwise be trash. As the year draws to a close, this simple action allows residents to celebrate the season while also investing in a cleaner, more sustainable future for the city.
