Curbside Organics Frequently Asked Questions

1.   What items are accepted in the curbside organics program? 
Some of the items that can be included in the organics program include:
    •    leaves, grass clippings, garden waste (including weeds) and house plants
    •    sawdust, wood shavings and small tree branches
    •    food waste (fruits and vegetables, and peelings; meat, seafood and bones; dairy products; bread, grain, rice, pasta; egg shells; and pizza)
    •    kitchen waste (coffee grounds and filters; tea leaves and bags)
    •    paper products (soiled and unsoiled cardboard; facial tissue, napkins and paper; pizza boxes).
    •    household floor sweepings (no metals or hydrocarbon contamination)
    •    ashes, cooled (ashes from wood, not from synthetic material)
    •    cotton balls (without cleaners)
You can also refer to this quick reference sheet (.pdf).
 
2.   Do I use bags to throw out my organics?
Bags will not be required for organics disposal.  For organics waste, residents must use compostable bags in order to be accepted.  These bags are made of organic materials and biodegrade at the same rate as other organic material.

If residents are interested in using bags for the organics collection program, most grocery and hardware stores carry biodegradable bags.

3.   Will the compost depot on Villeneuve Road stay open? 
Yes, the compost depot will remain open. Currently the compost depot accepts trees, tree branches, sod, leaves, yard waste, etc. Some of these products are too large to fit into the new carts; therefore, the City wants to ensure that residents still have a place to take this yard waste.

4.   What percentage of my household waste is considered organics?
Most residential garbage contains approximately 40 - 50 per cent of organic material which can be put into the organics cart.  Approximately 30 per cent is yard waste and 20 per cent is household waste.  By separating the organic material from the landfill material, most residents will find they produce much less waste and may be able to lower their Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) subscription level.  If residents find that they require a smaller PAYT subscription as a result of less landfill waste, please contact the Utilities department at 780-459-1520 (and select option 2).
 
5.   Will the material in the organics cart smell?
The organic carts will be picked up weekly in the warmer months (mid-April to mid-October), which should minimize any smell developing in the carts.  Some tips to reduce potential odour issues include:
    •    Layer your organic bin with 'browns' and 'greens' similar to a compositor. (See diagram below).  A brown material is anything that is high in carbon and acts as a filter.  This filter helps to absorb odours.  Examples of brown material include leaves, shredded paper, sawdust and cardboard.  Green materials are items that may produce an odour, such as meat, dairy products and grass.
    •    Wrap the organics in newspaper or paper towels.
    •    Use compostable bags.  These are not required in the curbside organics program, but they do help to control odours effectively.
    •    Keep the organics cart in a shaded area so it is not exposed to the sun.
    •    Ensure the lid on your organics cart is closed.
    •    Try adding a small amount of baking soda or lime to the organics cart.
    •    Rinse the cart weekly or every second week to your organics cart.

 

6.   Will the organics cart attract animals or insects?
The carts are sturdy and have a lid that closes.  Keeping the lid closed will deter animals and insects better than the current garbage bag system.
 
7.   Will the organics material freeze inside the cart?
It is possible that some material will freeze during the winter, but this will not damage the cart or the automated truck.  To minimize material freezing to the inside of the cart, try the following:
    •    Line the cart with newspaper, pizza boxes or cardboard.
    •    Wrap wet organics material in newspaper, paper towel or soiled cardboard.
    •    Layer the cart with alternating wet material and dry material.
    •    Use biodegradable bags.  These are not required with the organic program but will help prevent material from freezing in the cart.

8.   I use a garburator for my organic waste.  Can I just use my garburator instead of the curbside organics program?
A garburator is a unit that is typically installed underneath a kitchen sink.  It shreds food and kitchen waste into small enough pieces to pass through the plumbing system.  Using a garburator may seem like a convenient way to dispose of organic material, but it can cause problems with sewer lines in your home and put unnecessary stresses on wastewater treatment plants.  Organic material that is ground up by a garburator accumulates on the small sewer pipes in your home causing sewer clogs and backups.   

9.   Where is the City taking the organics picked up curbside?  Will residents be able to get the compost back?
The City of St. Albert has secured an organic processing contract with Roseridge Waste Management Services Commission for the City's curbside organics collection program.  Roseridge will be converting an estimated 5,000 metric tonnes of organic material per year into high quality garden compost that will be made available to the residents of St. Albert through Compost Giveaway events which are scheduled twice per year.  Please see the Citylights section in the Saturday edition of the St. Albert Gazette or check this website for information on upcoming Compost Giveaways.
 
10.   Can I opt out of the organics program? 
No.  In order for the City to implement an effective waste reduction program, each household that currently receives curbside garbage pickup will have the opportunity to utilize the organics and yard waste collection as well.  The organics collection program does accept items such as pizza boxes, which cannot be put in backyard composters.  This will enable households to compost a wider variety of materials and reduce the amount of garbage even more.   

11.  Where can I find compostable bags suitable for use in the organics program?

NoBags are not required for the curbside organics program, but they are recommended. If residents choose to use bags for their organic waste, they must use only compostable bags. These bags are typically identified by their green colour and they are labelled as certified compostable. These bags can be found locally at the following locations:

 
Please look for the Compostable BPI logo to confirm if the bags are compostable.  


12.   Is pet waste allowed in the green organics cart?

No. Roseridge, the City of St. Albert’s organic processing site, discourages including pet waste in the organics cart as it affects the overall quality of the compost.  Therefore, until further notice the City of St. Albert is asking that residents do not include this material in the organics cart. Pet waste can be discarded into your brown waste cart.