Diverting waste from the landfill: One green bin at a time

Nearly 303,000 kilograms of organic waste have been diverted since the launch of the new green bin program in January

Oxford County’s new organic waste program in the Township of South-West Oxford and the City of Woodstock has already diverted 302,930 kilograms of organic waste from the landfill. 

To put these numbers in perspective, the average weight of an African bush elephant (the largest living animal) is 5,300 kilograms. Between January 5 and March 31, waste diverted from the landfill through the green bin program is equivalent to 57 African bush elephants.

As part of Earth Month in April, Oxford County, Township of South-West Oxford, and City of Woodstock are updating the community on the first three months of the green bin organics program. In addition to diverting an estimated 36% of curbside organic waste from the landfill, residents and businesses using their green bin saved more than $119,000 combined in bag tag fees so far.

Oxford County’s new organic waste (green bin) program collects food scraps and other biodegradable materials, reducing the amount of garbage sent to the landfill and supporting environmental sustainability in our communities.

The green bin organics program will expand to every municipality in Oxford County (Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Zorra) in May 2027, with green bin container delivery taking place in early 2027.

For more information about the green program, visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/greenbin.

Quick facts

• An independent audit of curbside garbage in Oxford County in 2021 found that more than half of the “black bag” (by weight) contained organic material that could be diverted from the landfill and used for beneficial purposes, such as renewable natural gas or compost/soil amendment. The audit also found that the amount of organic waste found in the black bag was typically higher in urban areas than in rural areas.
  
  
• Since January 2026, an estimated 39,702 fewer garbage bags have been used during the first quarter of 2026, based on the average weight of a garbage bag (7.36 kg) from the 2021 “black bag” audit. At $3 per bag tag, Woodstock and South-West Oxford residents collectively saved about $119,107 by diverting this waste.
• The 2021 black bag audit found that 43% of waste collected in Oxford County could be diverted through a green bin program. Since the program launched, 15% of collected waste is being diverted, leaving at least 28% of organic material still going to landfill due to underuse or improper use of the program. Another black bag audit is planned for in 2026.