Organics (Green Bin) Program
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.
Green bin distribution
Each Oxford County residence will receive a 7-litre kitchen container to collect food scraps and a 45-litre green bin to set out at the curb on collection day.
Organics collection starts in South-West Oxford and Woodstock in January 2026. Residents living in these municipalities will receive their green bin containers beginning in October.
All other area municipalities (Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Zorra) begin organic collection in May 2027, with green bin container delivery taking place prior to the start.
Making the most of your green bin
Each Oxford County household will receive two containers:
-
A 7-litre kitchen container for collecting food scraps in your home.
-
A 45-litre green bin to place at the curb on your collection day.
Simply use the kitchen container for day-to-day food waste, then empty it into the larger green bin for curbside collection.
Should you require another container, additional containers are available for purchase through Oxford County. Visit the Containers for Sale page to learn more.
- You can use certified compostable bags or paper bags to help keep your bin clean. Bins can also be lined with newspaper.
- Do not use plastic bags.
Certified compostable icons to look for:
Food and kitchen scraps
- Fruits, vegetables, nuts and shells
- Meat, fish, shellfish (including bones)
- Dairy, butter, margarine
- Baked goods, pasta, bread, cereals, rice, grains
- Juices, sauces, jams, salad dressing
- Cooking oils and grease
- Coffee grounds, filters, tea bags
Soiled paper products
- Food-soiled boxboard, cardboard or paper
- Paper plates
- Facial tissue, napkins, paper towels
- Microwave popcorn bags, muffin liners
Plant material and seeds
- House plants (dirt removed)
- Birdseed
- Pumpkins
Miscellaneous
- Hair, pet fur, nail clippings
- Certified compostable bags and cups for fats, oils and grease
- Wooden toothpicks
- Compostable packaging (e.g., plates, bowls, utensils)
Recyclables
- Blue box materials
Plastics and packaging
- Plastic bags and packaging
- Compostable coffee pods
Personal hygiene items
- Diapers and incontinence products
Animal waste and related items
- Animal waste (e.g., pet droppings)
- Kitty litter
- Dead animals
Leaf and yard waste
Miscellaneous
- Candles/wax
- Cigarette butts
- Textiles
- Set green bins at the curb alongside garbage by 7:00 am on your collection day.
- Only the issued 45 L green bin can be used for organic waste. Kitchen containers will not be accepted/emptied.
- Keep lids closed and locked, and ensure bins do not exceed 44 lbs (20 kg).
- Bag tags are not required for organic waste.
Freeze scraps
- Wrap meat and fish in paper and freeze until collection day to minimize odours.
Layer waste
- Alternate food scraps with soiled cardboard or newspaper to absorb liquids.
Rinse often
- Wash your bins with water and vinegar regularly.
Reduce smells
- Add baking soda, citrus peels or coffee grounds to manage odour.
Seasonal tips
- Keep your curbside bin in a shaded and/or ventilated spot in warmer months.
- In the winter, store it indoors until collection day, or place a cardboard egg carton on the bottom to keep your bag from freezing to the bin.
Download the new organic waste sorting guide to learn more about green bin collection or watch the organics program video below:
What's changing in 2026 and 2027
If you live in Oxford County, you'll see several changes to waste collection services beginning in 2026. Click through the tabs below to learn more about upcoming changes in Waste Management across Oxford County.
- This new program will collect food scraps and other biodegradable waste as part of the residential curbside collection program.
- When they join the program, each Oxford County residence will receive a 7-litre kitchen container to collect food scraps and a 45-litre green bin to set out at the curb on collection day.
- Organics collection starts in South-West Oxford and Woodstock in January 2026. Residents living in these municipalities will receive their green bin containers and more information this fall.
- All other area municipalities (Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Zorra) begin organic collection in May 2027.
- As of January 2026, both the City of Woodstock and the Township of South-West Oxford will be under a six-day cycle for co-collection (pick up at the same time) of garbage and organic waste. South-West Oxford currently follows a six-day cycle for garbage collection.
- Under this type of schedule, your collection day moves one day forward from week to week, skipping weekends and holidays.
- Annual collection calendars will be mailed out to residents ahead of time and automatic reminders will be available through the Wasteline mobile app. Collection days will also be posted to the Curbside Collection page.
- In May of 2027, Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Zorra will move to a six-day cycle for co-collection of garbage and organics.
Download the Wasteline app to stay up to date on garbage and waste collection schedules
- Under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, (External link)responsibility for providing recycling services has now shifted to the producers (retailers, manufacturers, etc.) that create products and packaging. This change began in July 2023 and takes effect in Oxford County on January 1, 2026. Visit Blue Box - RPRA (External link) to learn more.
- More information and a list acceptable materials for the new blue box program will be sent to homes from Circular Materials (External link) this fall.
- Recycling pick-up days are directed by Circular Materials and may be different from garbage and green bin collection days.
- The new province-wide recycling program for Ontario only collects recycling from residential properties. To continue to provide recycling collection to small businesses and other organizations, Oxford County is starting a new recycling collection program for these groups. Learn more and register here (External link)
Where to find more information
Oxford County is responsible for waste collection services across Oxford's local area municipalities. In the Township of South-West Oxford and the City of Woodstock, this service is contracted out to the local municipality. In all other municipalities, Oxford contracts this service to a third-party vendor, currently Emterra Environmental. Learn more and watch for updates from the following resources.
- Oxford County - Garbage and Recycling - Wasteline(External link)
- City of Woodstock - Waste Services(External link)
- Township of South-West Oxford - Garbage and Recycling(External link)
- Ontario RPRA (Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority)(External link)
- Oxford County - Future of curbside collection (2024)