All organic material must be bagged in either a certified compostable or paper bag. You can use a small container in the kitchen to collect kitchen waste and transfer it to the green bin as needed. You can also put your kitchen waste directly into the green bin. Whichever method you choose, always make sure either the small container or the green bin is lined with a compostable or paper bag. But remember, two bags are not necessary; there is no need to line both containers.

• Do not put material loose in the bin.
• Place balled up newspaper or a paper egg carton at the bottom of your empty green bin before lining it with a compostable or paper bag. This will absorb any excess moisture.
• Wrap wet food waste tightly in a sheet of old newspaper or used paper towel before adding it to your bin.
• Place meat and fish waste in a covered plastic container and store in the freezer. Only transfer this to your green bin on collection day.
• Alternating layers of food waste and used paper towel or food-soiled paper will help minimize the occurrence of fruit flies.

• Use a smaller container lined with a certified compostable or paper bag to collect organic material during cooking and clean-up time in the kitchen. Transfer the contents of this smaller container to the green bin every two or three days.
• Store meat or fish leftovers in a small covered plastic container in your freezer and empty it into your green bin on collection day.
• Periodically rinse your green bin with a vinegar / water solution and let dry completely.
• Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda in the green bin to reduce odors.
• Wrap food waste in old newspaper; the paper helps absorb odours.
• Keep your green bin dry by leaving the lid open after the collection to dry completely.
• Set you green bin out for collection every week, even if it is not full.
• Only add strong-smelling organic material to the green bin as close to collection day as possible.
• Cover your kitchen waste with a layer of garden waste (dried leaves or grass)

As residents of Westmount we share our city with a variety of urban wildlife most are nocturnal and will roam the neighborhood during the night looking for easy sources of food.

• Wildlife is attracted by strong odours of food. Reduce your chances of attracting them by following some of the tips for odours listed above.
• Place your green bin in a garbage shelter or garage where it is inaccessible to animals.
• Raccoons sometimes knock bins over hoping the fall will cause the lid to open. Use a bungee cord or other similar cord to secure the green bin to the railings on your deck or balcony. Similarly, you can secure it to a fence post to keep it from being knocked over.
• You can hang your green bin from hooks attached to a post, keeping the bottom of the bin approximately 18 inches off the ground. This prevents the bin from being tipped over and makes it difficult for wildlife to open the bin.
• A bungee cord can be used to tie down the green bin lid. Run the cord over the lid and hook to the lip of the container body.

Apply a small amount of Vicks VapoRub on the edge of the lid. The strong scent will deter animals.

During the winter season, wildlife can become more persistent in looking for sources of food. Squirrels have been known to chew through the cover of green bins to access the contents. Storing the green bin in a garage or garbage shelter during the week can prevent squirrels from having access to the bin. Similarly the green bin can be stored in a metal garbage can with the lid securely attached to keep squirrels out. On collection day the green bin should be set out for collection.