Do I have to compost organic material?
Yes. All residents and business owners in East Hants are required by law to divert organic material from the waste stream.
How do I get a green organics cart and mini kitchen bin?
Compost carts
and/or mini kitchen bins are provided at no cost by the Municipality
of East Hants. To order your cart or bin, please call the Solid
Waste Hotline at 1-888-873-3332 or e-mail the Waste
Reduction Educator. Your cart and bin will be delivered to
your address (you do not need to be home).
What do I put in my cart?
Acceptable material includes grass and leaves, branches (maximum 3 ft. length and 1" diameter), sawdust, wood shavings, meat, fish, bones, solid daily products, bread, fruit, vegetables, wet-non-recyclable paper, construction paper, pizza boxes, paper towels, tissues, cereal or cracker boxes (boxboard), paper fast food cartons, paper frozen dinner packages, paper cups and plates, paper bags, detergent boxes, paper flour,sugar and oatmeal bags.
Non-acceptable materials include plastic bags, plastic wrap, foil, styrofoam, metal products, glass, hazardous products, plastic containers, cans, sod, rocks, dirt, personal hygiene products, diapers, and clothing.
When in doubt, leave it out!
How often is my cart emptied?
To have your organics cart emptied, place it curbside by 7:00 am on your regular collection day. The waste hauler contracted by the Municipality will collect organic material every second week. Please see Collection Maps and Schedules. It is very important to place your organics cart out for collection every second week during the summer months even if it is only partly full. The heat and humidity of the summer can bring odours and pests if your cart is not well maintained and emptied regularly.
During the winter, carts can be emptied less regularly as the cold temperatures result in fewer odours and pests.
How do I control mess and odours in my cart?
First, if your cart is not new, completely empty it and give it a good cleaning. Make sure the area where you store the cart is free of organic material that may have leaked/spilled out of the cart.
You could give the inside of the cart a light coat of cooking-spray to help all the material to empty. Crumple up a few sheets of newspaper and put them in the bottom of the cart to help all material to empty. It also absorbs excess liquids.
When you have meat, fish or bones, wrap them in a few layers of newspaper before putting them in the cart. That will help keep pests away. Anything runny or sticky can be put in an empty cereal box to help contain the mess, or wrapped in newspaper to help prevent odours.
Put a layer of "brown material" (leaves, twigs, dried grass clippings) in the cart after you dump your kitchen bin. This will help keep pests away. Store your cart in a shady, well ventilated area.
What happens when I move? Do I take my cart and bin?
If you move, do not take your cart or bin. It is attached to the address, not the owner or resident. If your new address in East Hants does not have a cart or bin, call and one will be delivered.
Please click here for more information on Composting Options in East Hants. If you have further questions, please contact the Solid Waste Hotline at 1-888-873-3332.
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