PET WASTE - GREEN BIN IT!

As a cat-sitter in Waterloo Region I probably deal with more kitty litter, cat urine and poop than the average person. When I go into a client’s home to clean the litter I do not leave the scoopings in the house, I take them with me to dispose of them. I mean – would you want to come home from a trip after a few days or weeks to scooped litter piling up in your home. I know I wouldn’t. Many clients show me where the garbage bins are kept so I do not have to take the litter away with me in the car.

BUT, DID YOU KNOW PET WASTE CAN GO IN YOUR GREEN BIN?

That’s right, in Waterloo Region litter scoopings can be placed into the green bin. Even the litter, when it’s that time for a total change can go in too.

BUT, DO IT PROPERLY!

There are a few guidelines to green binning cat waste. The waste should be placed separately in a paper bag, wrapped in newspaper or placed between layers of newspaper in the bin. This is to make sure the waste is between layers of organic materials to aid in the composting.

WHAT OTHER PET ITEMS CAN GO INTO THE GREEN BIN?

Besides your cat’s litter scoopings dog waste, cage bedding and waste can all go into the green bin. Next time you furminate or groom your cat or dog REMEMBER fur can also be placed in the Green Bin (as can human hair).

Shredded paper, paper towels (without chemical cleaners on them) and used tissue can all be placed into your Green Bin as well.

I was on the Blue Bin bandwagon from the start but I do have to admit that I was not the most consistent user of the Green Bin when the program was first introduced several years ago. I thought it was “too much trouble”, but with the recent change to garbage being picked up only every two weeks I knew I had to get on board. And, what a difference it has made! I’ve gone from one full big garbage can every week to one grocery bag of garbage per week.

It’s amazing how much can be diverted to the Green Bin – including your pet waste (we all want to get that out of the house and to the curb as soon as possible), so let’s all do our part.

So what happens to all that organic waste? It is composted and sold to local farmers as a soil enrichment and that eventually benefits us all. So use your Green Bin and sort properly!

NOTE: My research extended to Waterloo Region Green Binning only. Allowable substances vary according to each municipality so check the guidelines in your area. For more information on what can and cannot go into the Green Bin in Waterloo go to their website HERE.

NOTE: Backyard composting is a little different as well, so do your research on that before beginning your “at home” composting project.