Summer heat brings unwanted pests to your yard. The City of Saint John Solid Waste Department wants you to manage your compost effectively to maintain a clean environment.

Securing Your Yard

Store your garbage in sealed containers. Remove outside food sources immediately. Clear away bird feeders, pet food, and fallen apples from trees.

Limit your backyard compost piles to fruits and vegetables. Bury your food scraps deep in yard waste to hide the scent. Never add fats, meat, fish, bread, or grain products to open compost piles.

Defending Your Green Cart

Use your municipal green cart for all other food scraps. Chew holes at the bottom indicate rats access your waste. Stuff a rag soaked in bleach or a piece of steel wool into the chewed vent holes to block them.

Wrap food scraps in newspaper or cover them with yard waste to absorb odors. Place a paper lawn bag inside your cart to keep the interior clean and dry. Freeze smelly items like meat and fish until your collection day.

Rinse your cart out after collection day using detergent or a water mixture with five percent bleach. Contact Fundy Recycles to request a replacement if your cart sustains heavy damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if rats chew holes in my green cart?

Stuff the chewed holes with steel wool or a rag soaked in bleach to block pests. Contact Fundy Recycles for a replacement if the cart is heavily damaged.

Can I put meat and fish in my backyard compost pile?

No. Keep meat, fish, fats, and bread out of backyard compost piles. Put these items in your municipal green cart and freeze them until collection day to eliminate odors.

How do I clean my green compost cart?

Rinse the cart after your collection day using detergent or a water mixture containing five percent bleach.