Did you know that less than half of Barrie residents use their green bin, yet 97 per cent of Toronto residents use theirs?

If we all used our green bin for one year, we can keep 1,800 garbage trucks off the road.

In 2002 the green bin was introduced in Toronto and later introduced to Barrie in 2004. It has been almost two years since we’ve had green bins and they’re rarely used.

In Barrie, probably half of the people who don’t use their green bins use their own black compost bin. We are encouraged to compost, but to also to use our green bin because certain things can go in your green bin, which can’t be composted.

There are many items that can go in the green bin, like: cat litter, diapers, ice cream containers, Tim Hortons cups, soiled paper meat packaging, pet food, mulch, toilet paper, plastic bags (if used as container for holding compost, like a garbage bag), and animal waste. All this plus food waste are collected and brought to a special treatment plant.

The most general reason why no one uses their green bin is the smell, and where to store it. The large green compost bin is to be kept outside or in the garage, and the small one is to be kept in the house.

For solutions to cover the smell, hang an air freshener inside the container, (just remember to remove it on pick-up day and put it back in) or don’t let your can sit in humid and warm areas.

Those who use theirs have a good start, but they can expand. Convince your peers or try making it a street project to convince more people to use their bin. Unfortunately schools and workplaces don’t have a green bin program, but the effort to get one is there.

If possible, we should try and get at least everyone to use the green bin for at least one month. Doing this would make the Barrie clean, but more importantly, help the world.