Green Can Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Why is the City of Richmond offering this program?
The Green Can program will help us reach a new, aggressive waste reduction goal. Richmond residents already recycle over 50% of what used to be garbage. Recycling food scraps will help us reach our new goal of 70%.
When did the Green Can program starts?
The Green Can program started on April 2010.
What happens and where do our food scraps and yard trimmings go for recycling?
Food scraps and yard trimmings are recycled into rich compost for use by gardeners, farmers, and landscapers.
Your food scraps and yard trimmings go to a Richmond composting facility where high-quality compost is made and sold to local landscapers and farmers. With this program, we will keep significant amounts of organic material out of the landfill.
Who can participate in the food scraps and yard trimmings recycling program?
Richmond residents in single-family homes and households who currently receive yard trimmings collection service.
Green Cans Questions
How can I get a Green Can?
Residents provide their own garbage cans. Cans must be
80 litres or smaller in size and may be any colour. Use the Green Can decal to turn your garbage can into a Green Can. (Unlimited amounts of free Green Can decals are available for pick-up at any City facility.)
How do I get a Green Can decal?
Green Can decals are available at your local community centre, the Recycling Depot or City Hall. You can pick up unlimited amounts of free decals.
Where do I put my Green Can decal?
Your Green Can decal goes on the side of any colour garbage-type can of 80 litre or less. This can will become your dedicated Green Can where you put food scraps and yard trimmings for recycling. When you take your Green Can to the curb on your regular collection day, please ensure the Green Can Decal faces the street so collection crews can see it.
What can I recycle in my Green Can?
All food scraps and yard trimmings can be recycled in the Green Can. See What to Recycle for a complete list of acceptable and not acceptable items.
What if I have too many yard trimmings to fit into the Green Can?
Extra yard trimmings can be placed into large paper yard waste bags (available at local retail stores) or in tied bundles, no larger than 3 feet x 2 feet (1 meter x 60 cm). You may place unlimited quantities of Green Cans and paper yard trimmings bags out for collection. Yard trimmings in plastic bags will no longer be accepted.
Why must the can be 80 litres or less?
Food scraps and yard trimmings are heavy materials. Larger containers hold more material and can become too heavy for crews to lift. We need to keep the size and weight of the container manageable for collection crews. For this reason, we regret
that we will be unable to collect any containers that are larger than 80 litres.
What is the maximum weight for my Green Can?
When full, your Green Can should not weigh more than 20 kilograms (44 pounds).
How can I avoid odours in my Green Can?
- Keep your Green Can lid closed at all times
- Store your Green Can out of the sun, especially in warm weather
- Use small amounts of newspaper to line your kitchen container, or wrap food scraps in newspaper before placing in your Green Can
- Empty your kitchen container frequently and put your Green Can at the curb weekly
What if my Green Can isn't full on collection day?
That's okay! Put your Green Can at the curb by 7:30 am for collection even if it's not full.
Can I put food scraps in the larger paper yard trimmings bags?
We recommend that food scraps only be placed in your Green Can to avoid potentially attracting animals and birds.
What about animals getting into my Green Can?
You are already putting food scraps in your garbage; now you are putting them in a 
different bin so animals shouldn't be a problem. If you've had issues with animals getting in your bins in the past, here are some tips to help prevent that:
- Wrap food waste with used napkins, paper bags, paper plates or pizza boxes
- Store food scraps in the freezer until collection day.
- Keep the Green Can in a shed or the garage until collection day, and
- Put the Green Can out for collection in the morning (by 7:30 a.m.), not at night.
Plastic Bags Questions
Am I allowed to use plastic bags for yard trimmings collection?
No. Plastic bags create waste and affect the quality of finished compost. Eliminating plastic bags and using Green Cans and compostable paper bags instead is best for the environment - and for future generations.
Can I use biodegradable plastic bags?
No. These bags do not fully decompose and leave behind flecks of plastic in the compost. For these reasons, we can only accept the large paper yard waste bags which will fully decompose.
Can I line my Green Can with biodegradable or compostable plastic bags?
Green Can lined with biodegradable or compostable plastic bags will not be collected. Instead, line your Green Can with newspaper or paper bags. For tips on how to keep your Green Can clean and odour free, see Top 10 Tips.
What should I do with my clear plastic bags?
Plastic bags can be used for your regular garbage.
Are the large paper yard trimmings bags reliable?
Yes! These paper yard trimmings bags have proven to work well. Residents in other cities with weather like ours (Seattle for example) use these bags in their yard trimmings collection programs. Both the City of Seattle and City of Toronto tested these bags extensively and found that recent technological improvements to the bags mean they hold up well and collection crews are able to pick them up intact.
Yard trimmings bags are constructed with a strength coating that resists water absorption while still breaking down for composting in the composting facility. But fair warning: Paper yard trimmings bags left out in the rain for extended periods will break down. Bags must be sturdy enough to withstand the collection process without breaking apart.
Where do I get the larger paper yard trimmings bags?
Check at local retail stores, including those where you might normally buy garbage cans.
