Middlesex Centre is planning to introduce a Green Bin Program in select urban settlement areas in 2027 to collect food scraps and other organic waste separately from household garbage.
Council supported moving forward with the implementation of a limited Green Bin Program at its October 7, 2026, meeting. Before the program can proceed, funding must be approved as part of the 2027 operating budget and Circular Materials must approve the proposed change to biweekly recycling collection.
If these approvals are received, the program is planned to begin as early as April 1, 2027, in the urban settlement areas of Arva, Delaware, Komoka, Kilworth and Ilderton. It would introduce weekly green bin collection, with garbage and recycling collected on alternating weeks.
Questions about the Green Bin Program
Below you will find answers to some of the common questions that have been asked about the program. As it is still in the early stages of development, and some details may change.
- Why introduce green bins?
Food and organic material makes up a significant portion of household garbage. BRA estimates that food waste represents about 40% of municipal mixed solid waste.
With limited landfill capacity remaining in Southwestern Ontario, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill is becoming increasingly important. At the current rate of disposal, Ontario landfills are expected to be full by 2037 and if the US were to close its border to Ontario waste exports, they could be fully exhausted by 2034. Separating food and organic waste through a Green Bin Program can help reduce pressure on landfill capacity while supporting more sustainable waste management.
The program would collect food waste, yard trimmings and soiled paper for composting. It would also allow residents to dispose of a broader range of food waste than can typically be handled through backyard composting (e.g., bones, eggshells, etc.).
Ontario's Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement requires certain municipalities to provide collection of food and organic waste. Middlesex Centre does not currently meet the population-density threshold that would make organics collection mandatory, but implementing a program would help position the municipality for future regulatory requirements.
- Where will the Green Bin Program be offered?
The first phase is proposed for Arva, Delaware, Komoka, Kilworth and Ilderton, providing green bin collection to approximately 60% of Middlesex Centre residents.
Starting in higher-density areas makes collection more cost-effective and allows the municipality to review the program before considering future expansion. Feedback from the 2027 Budget Survey also showed greater interest in the program among respondents from the urban areas. Among urban respondents, 58% were likely, very likely or neutral about participating, including 47% who were likely or very likely.
Staff are expected to review feedback and actual program costs following the first year and report back to Council on possible next steps.
- How will my waste collection change?
Waste collection will continue to be provided through BRA.
Under the proposed program:
- Green Bin: collected weekly
- Garbage: collected every two weeks
- Recycling: collected every two weeks
This was the most cost-effective collection model considered. It allows two waste streams to be collected each week without requiring additional collection trips. Maintaining weekly recycling while adding organics collection would require additional trips every other week and result in significantly higher collection costs.
The change to biweekly recycling is not yet approved. Recycling collection is now the responsibility of producers under Ontario's Blue Box Regulation, so any change in collection frequency requires approval from Circular Materials (the producer responsibility organization).
- Why isn't the program being offered across all of Middlesex Centre?
While options for a broader program were considered, it is more cost-effective to provide green bin collection in higher-density areas where collection is more efficient.
The proposed program will serve approximately 4,182 properties, or about 60% of the municipality.
Starting with a limited area program also allows the municipality to review feedback and actual costs before considering future expansion.
- Will residents pay more for green bin collection?
No additional green bin user fee is currently proposed.
The estimated additional cost of the proposed program is approximately $15 per serviced property per year. Staff have recommended that the municipal costs of the first phase be included in the 2027 waste management operating budget, recognizing savings resulting from the transition of recycling costs to producers. Final approval is subject to the program being approved as part of the 2027 operating budget.
Cost was also a key concern identified through the Municipality's 2027 Budget Survey, with 87% of respondents indicating that any increase in user fees related to a Green Bin Program should be $20 or less
- What about smells and animals?
Odours and animals were among the most significant concerns residents identified through the 2027 Budget Survey.
The green bins proposed by BRA have a locking design intended to keep animals out. Organics would also be collected weekly, which is expected to limit odours to similar levels as the current system, where food waste is placed in garbage bins.
- How can I ask more questions or share my ideas about the Green Bin Program?
If you have a questions, comment, or ideas about the proposed Green Bin Program, we want to hear from you.
Use our online form to share your thoughts as we continue to develop the program.
Submit a Green Bin Question or Comment
We’ll use the questions and comments we receive to help identify information residents need as plans for the program are finalized.
What Happens Next?
The Green Bin Program is still in the early stages of development, and some details may change.
Before the program can proceed, funding must be approved through the 2027 operating budget and Circular Materials must approve the proposed change to biweekly recycling collection. If those approvals are received, the program is planned to begin April 1, 2027. This start date maybe delayed by two or three months pending the budget approval date.
More information about the program, including collection details and what can go in your green bin, will be shared as plans are finalized.
Please note the image on this page is to illustrate organic collection in general. It is not a photo of an actual collection bin.
Page first posted October 15, 2026.