Learn more about what can go into your Green Bin, how to dispose of food waste, build your own composting bin, and more!
Food Scraps Collection
The Boundary region is the first rural area in the B.C. Interior to provide residents with a waste diversion program targeting food scraps. This program targets organic material (anything that was once a plant or animal) and diverts it to our composting program.
How does the food scraps collection program work?
Residents are provided a Kitchen Bucket and a Green Bin. The RDKB also supplies each home with a sample pack of paper bucket liners. These may be useful to help keep the bucket clean. Additional bags can be purchased at local hardware/grocery stores.
Fill the Kitchen Bucket with the proper materials and dump it into your Green Bin when full. Each week, the Green Bin will be collected.

What can I put in my Green Bin?
● Baked goods like breads, cookies
● Cheese rinds, mouldy cheese
● Candy
● Leftover snacks
● Muffin/cupcake papers
● Coffee, including filters
● Tea bags or loose tea
● Sauces and gravy
● Fish bones, skins, guts
● Meat, bones, skin, fat
● Rotten fruits and vegetables
● Rinds and peelings
● Rice and pasta
● Eggs and egg shells
● Lobster, oyster/clam shells
● Fruit pits, seeds and shells
● Seed/Nut shells: peanuts, sunflower
● Tree nuts
● Paper hand towels
● Soiled, waxed or oily paper
● Biodegradable clamshell containers, pizza boxes
● Wet newspaper
● Houseplants, including small amounts of soil
● Holiday Fruitcake
● Paper Plates
● Wilted flower bouquets
What is not allowed in my Green Bin?
● Pet Waste
● Diapers
● Kitty Litter
● Plastic bags, even polymer ‘biodegradable plastics'
● ‘Compostable plastic’ bags (the composting process doesn’t break down these polymer materials)
● Wood ash
● Cigarette butts
● Dryer lint and dryer sheets
● Vacuum cleaner bags
● Disposable coffee cups
● Twist ties/rubber bands
● Swiffer mop pads
● Disposable face masks
● Yard and garden waste
Where should I store my Green Bin and Kitchen Bucket?
Store the Green Bin securely in an area where animals can’t access it. It will contain the same material as would have been in your garbage, so it won’t smell any more or less. Please place your Green Bin at the curb where you would normally place your garbage/recycling after 7am on the day of collection. Do not put your garbage out the night before.
Should I put kitchen/Green Bin waste in a bag?
To reduce the incidence of goop sticking to the sides of the Green Bin, you can try using kraft paper bag liners. Plastic bags, even ‘biodegradable plastics,’ are not allowed. You can also try to restrict the amount of fluids you put in the bucket/bin.
You can also:
● Line your Kitchen Bucket with newspaper, paper bags or a hand towel
● Try using only the Green Bin bag liner
● Try using only the Kitchen Bucket liners and place these in the bagless Green Bin
● Try using folded newspaper in the Kitchen Bucket
● Try without any liners and rinse buckets and bins regularly
What are some other Green Bin tips?
The RDKB is trying to reduce the amount of food waste that is buried at the landfills. Take a look at the infographic to see how you can help.
Questions about Green Bins and food scraps?
Check out the Green Bin User Guide or contact:
RDKB: 1.800.355.7352
City of Grand Forks: 250.442.8266
Alpine Disposal: 1.888.791.1190