THE North Shore is turning greener this May with the implementation of the green can food scraps program.
The curbside recycling initiative, which begins in the first week of May, is designed to reduce the amount of garbage heading to landfills while cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Yard trimmings, fruits, vegetables, and unwanted leftovers can all be put in the green cans.
Residents are reminded to take precautions to keep bear paws away from their green cans.
"Whatever they were doing to secure their garbage in the past is the same thing that they're going to have to do with their green can," said Jenn Meilleur, programs co-ordinator with the North Shore Recycling Program.
Residents are advised to store green cans in their homes or a secure location until pickup day. In order to control the scent of food scraps, Meilleur recommended storing scraps in Tupperware containers during the week.
"One thing that can be really helpful for people is to keep the more odorous food scraps like the cooked plate scrapings, and the fish bones, meat and dairy. Hold that stuff separate and keep it in their fridge or freezer," she said.
Each West Vancouver household is scheduled to receive a 46-litre green can between April 30 and May 31.
District and City of North Vancouver residents can affix a green can decal to their yard trimmings cans. Cans smaller than 77 litres will not be accepted for pickup.
Green can decals are slated to be delivered to all North Shore homes before May 1. Additional decals are available at each municipal hall as well as the North Shore Recycling Depot, free of charge.
Residents without an appropriately-sized yard trimmings can will need to buy one to participate in the program.
Meilleur stressed that even plastic marked biodegradable or compostable is not accepted.
"The compost facility is Fraser Richmond Soil & Fibre and they don't accept plastic of any kind because it actually compromises the finished compost product," Meilleur said.
Including food scraps with yard trimmings should reduce increases to garbage collection fees, according to Meilleur. The tipping fee for garbage is $107 per tonne. The price of dumping yard trimmings and food scraps is $71 per tonne.
North Shore residents who live in apartments may also be able to divert their organic waste, according to Meilleur. "Folks who live in apartments can actually call their current garbage hauler and find out if they offer food scraps collection."
A list of 11 disposal companies offering pickup of organic material is available at greencart. northshorerecycling.ca.
