Organics/Food Waste

The Food Waste collection program is a beneficial initiative for the community. It will extend the lifespan of the Creston Landfill, reduce chemicals like methane, and leachate and help the community work towards a more sustainable future. The Class A compost produced in the Composting Facility will be made available for purchase by residents in the coming years, giving back to the community and improving Creston’s circular economy!

Food Waste Basics

Food Waste will be collected weekly in a 45L Town-supplied Green Bin. Weight cannot exceed 18kg (40lbs).
PLEASE NOTE: You must place your Town-supplied Green Bin at the curb on collection day. This bin indicates to the Collector that you are eligible for the curbside collection of Food Waste!
Kitchen Catchers cannot be set out for collection as they are not made for curbside collection. They can break apart easily and can be missed due to their small size. They are also difficult for collectors to lift and tip.
You do not have to line your Green Bin, but should you choose to do so, you must use a material that is 100% compostable including: paper bags, paper bin liners, or newspaper. Biodegradable and compostable plastic bags are NOT PERMITTED.

Accepted kitchen catcher and bin liners:

Kitchen catcher and bin liners must be made of 100% paper or paper with a cellulose liner. Bag to Earth is one locally available kitchen catcher/bin liner that is compliant and can be found at; Pealow’s Your Independent Grocer, Save-On-Foods and Home Hardware. All other bags (Biobag, Glad, and Western Family) are made of or contain compostable plastics, even if they look like paper. Other great bin liners include newspaper, parchment paper, Kraft paper bags, and paper take-out bags.

Prohibited: Compostable and Biodegradable Plastics

Unfortunately, at this time, the RDCK aerated windrow composting facility cannot accept compostable and biodegradable plastic materials. Anything that resembles plastic, even if it is a certified compostable product (i.e., BPI) must stay out. Bags, cutlery, bin liners and most containers that display compostable labeling will be made of a material called Polylactic Acid (PLA). PLA plastics break down to a specified degree, over a minimum period of time, when exposed to a certain minimum temperature and other physical conditions. Only a handful of facilities specialize in composting of compostable plastics and unfortunately, the composting facility at the RDCK Landfill does not operate under conditions that sufficiently biodegrade many of these products and they can leave a micro-plastic residue that may be harmful to soil organisms. The Regional District is trialing some of these PLA products in bio-solid windrows and may find they are acceptable. As of now, these products must be placed in your garbage.

What's Accepted and Not Accepted?

Accepted Green Bin Materials

Fruits and vegetables
Meat and bones (bones must be under 2” in diameter)
Fat and grease (must be solidified/soaked up by newspaper or paper towel – limit to 5% of food waste by volume)
Dairy products
Eggs and eggshells
Pasta, rice, cereals, grains
Baking products and baking goods
Condiments, sauces, dressings
Plate scrapings
Pet food
Loose tea, coffee, or other drink mix powders
Tea bags and coffee filters (must not contain plastic)
Soiled paper and cardboard (ex. greasy pizza box or take-out food bag)
Paper towel, napkins, facial tissue
Parchment paper
Wood items such as toothpicks, popsicle sticks and chop sticks
Used paper dishes (no plastic coating)

View All Accepted Food Waste Materials

Not Accepted Green Bin Materials

Plastic bags
Biodegradable or compostable plastic bags
Plastic or nylon tea-bags or coffee filters
Diapers
Feminine hygiene products
Styrofoam
Pet or human hair
Plastic overwrap, for example, from produce, meat, and cheese
Pet waste and kitty litter
Animal bones greater than 2” in diameter
Recyclables (refer to Schedule A – List of Accepted Materials)
Yard waste (refer to Schedule A – List of Accepted Materials)
Garbage
Metal
Glass

View All Prohibited Food Waste Materials

Frequently Asked Questions

I already use a back yard composter, do I have to use my Green Bin?

Back yard composting is a great way to discard of kitchen scraps, and we encourage homes to continue to compost in their own yards. However, there are many items that can go in your Green Bin that do not usually go in a residential composter including:

Meat and bones
Fat and grease (let solidify first and then scrape into compost bucket/bin)
Dairy products
Dry and cooked pasta
Soiled paper and cardboard (ex. greasy pizza box or take-out food bag)
Paper towel, napkins, facial tissue
Waxed and parchment paper
Wood items such as toothpicks, popsicle sticks and chop sticks
Any other food items that are leaving your composter too wet or too dry.

Use the Green Bin for all of the organic items that you cannot put in your composter to further decrease the amount of garbage in your bi-weekly collection.

Can I put Yard Waste in my Green Bin?

Yard waste is not permitted in the Green Bins. The Town provides three (3) yard waste collection events each year as a part of the Curbside Collection program – one in the spring and two in the fall. Yard waste can be taken to the RDCK Landfill at any time during their normal operating hours. Yard waste taken to the RDCK Landfill will be charged at the going rate for ‘Yard and Garden Waste’. For rate information refer the the RDCK website.

During the months of April and October (only) the Creston Landfill accepts Yard & Garden Waste for FREE. This practice is subject to the conditions placed upon it by the Regional District of Central Kootenay.

Where does the curbside food waste go?

What do I do if I have more food waste than the one (1) bin per week that we are allowed?

If you have extra food waste on your collection day that will not fit in your Green Bin, you may place an extra re-usable container that is clearly identifiable as containing food waste or Kraft paper bag of food waste at the curb for collection with an EXTRA Bag Tag. Extra containers do not have to be a Green Bin – you could use a small garbage can or storage tote for example, as long as an EXTRA Bag Tag is attached and it contains a maximum of 18 Kg (40 lbs) of material. These tags can be purchased at Town Hall. If using Kraft paper bags, it would be a good idea to double bag your extra organic material to ensure your bag does not break upon collection.

If you find you are consistently over the limit of weekly food waste collection, you may wish to purchase a second Green Bin and service. This is a great option for households with large families. If you decide this is the right option for you, you will be charged a one-time fee plus applicable taxes for the new Creston branded Green Bin, and an additional rate will be added to your utility tax bill for the additional weekly collection. In 2023 this works out to be less than $150 per week.

What do I do if my Green Bin breaks?

You are responsible for your Green Bin. The Town is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged bins. If you accidently damage or lose your bin you may purchase a new bin at Town Hall. You will be charged a nominal fee plus applicable taxes for each new Creston branded Green Bin. At the discretion of the Town, bins with manufacturing defects may be replaced at no charge if the damaged bin is returned to Town Hall. Your Green Bin is proof that you are eligible for the Food Waste collection service. Failure to have the bin at the curb on collection day will result in your food waste not being collected.

Can I put pet waste or kitty litter in my Green Bin?

Are there other communities that have curbside food waste collection?

What happens if I miss a Food Waste collection day?

If you do not get your food waste collected on your collection day you can:

Purchase EXTRA Bag Tag(s) to put out additional bag(s) of food waste on your next collection day or,
Take your Food Waste to the Landfill. There is a public drop-off bin for Food Waste at the Landfill. Food Waste taken to the Landfill will be charged a per-container fee (first four 120L containers).

If you miss your collection day, consider freezing your food waste (if possible) until the next collection.

If I don't know if an item is compostable, should I put it in my curbside Green Bin anyway?

Yuck! How do I deal with Insects and Odours?

Make sure your Green Bin lid is always shut tightly and that it’s not open for long periods of time when you’re filling it. This prevents insects from getting into your compost.
Put out your Green Bin weekly, even if it isn’t full. This prevents food waste from sitting for long periods of time and generating odours. It also clears out any bugs that may have found their way into your compost.
Clean out your Green Bin regularly with soap or a water-vinegar mixture to keep your bin fresh and prevent odours. The most effective way to keep your bin clean is to quickly rinse it out after collection every week or two.
Keep your Green Bin in a cool/shady and dry place. Places like a garage, shed, or under an overhang or porch, are great to store your bin. If you have to store your bin indoors, keep it in a cool place like a basement, under the stairs, or in a closet or cabinet. Under the sink is a great place to store your kitchen catcher if you have the space.
Spray vinegar or lemon juice in your Green Bin to prevent maggots as well as bad odours. Insects can’t stand acidic environments so it’s an easy way to ward them off.
Drain as much liquid as possible from your organic waste before you put it in your Green Bin. You should also freeze grease and cooking oil before putting them in your bin.
Freeze any particularly smelly and messy food waste in your freezer until collection day. You can do this by wrapping it in newspaper, a paper bin liner, or any other 100% paper product and then placing it in your freezer. This can eliminate smelly liquids and waste from sitting in your bin. It also limits bugs and keeps your bin clean. You can even store your Kitchen Catcher in your freezer and put your kitchen scraps straight in there!
Put extra newspaper, paper towel or ripped up cardboard in your Green Bin to soak up excess moisture. You can place some at the bottom of your bin or even layer it between food waste. Keeping your compost dry will prevent odours as well as insects.
Sprinkle baking soda in your bin to prevent odours and soak up moisture.
Wrap any meat scraps in newspaper before putting them in your Green Bin. Freezing meat scraps is more effective at preventing insects, but if you cannot, wrapping your meat scraps and other smelly food waste can help prevent leakage, odour, and insects.
Put a few drops of essential oil in your bin to ward off odours. Tea tree, lemongrass, peppermint, and eucalyptus are all great options. You could also try mixing a few drops with water and then spraying it in your bin.
Sprinkle rock salt, garden lime, or powdered ginger in your Green Bin to ward off insects.