Hey Cowichan,

Did you know?  Compostable, biodegradable and oxodegradable plastic bags/liners are not permitted in your food scrap bin or organics tote?

Per provincial regulation, composting facilities in BC are not able to accept plastic bags/liners (or any plastic items), including those labelled “compostable,” “biodegradable” or “oxodegradable.” Although these bags seem like a great way to keep your totes/bins clean, they don't break down properly, requiring specific lab-based temperature/moisture conditions that do not reflect the composting process. As a result, microplastics contaminate the finished compost, which is a health and environmental concern. 

Acceptable alternatives include paper bags, or lining your totes/bins with shredded paper, paper towels, newspaper, cardboard or yard waste before putting in kitchen scraps.  

For more information on accepted items in the green organics tote, visit:  https://www.cvrd.ca/3611/Green-Organics-Tote