Guide to Winnipeg Food Waste Drop-Off Sites What You Can Compost and How to Participate

Composting food waste is one of the easiest ways to reduce landfill waste and support environmental health. In Winnipeg, residents have access to convenient food waste drop-off sites where they can bring their scraps in brown paper or certified compostable bags. This system helps divert organic waste from landfills and turns it into valuable compost that enriches soil.

Whether you are new to composting or want a simple way to manage kitchen scraps, this guide covers everything you need to know about Winnipeg’s food waste drop-off program. From what you can compost to how to prepare your waste and where to drop it off, you will find practical tips to get started.

How to Drop Off Your Food Waste

Winnipeg’s food waste drop-off program requires residents to place their food scraps in brown paper bags or BPI-certified compostable bags. Plastic bags are not accepted because they do not break down in composting facilities.

If you prefer, you can line a container with newspaper or paper bags to collect scraps before transferring them to the approved bags. This helps keep your kitchen tidy and makes transport easier.

If you cannot drop off your food waste immediately, store it in the fridge or freezer. This prevents unpleasant odors and slows down decomposition until you are ready to bring it to a drop-off site.

What You Can Compost

The program accepts a wide range of food and household items that commercial composting facilities can process. This list goes beyond what typical backyard compost bins can handle, making it easier to divert more waste.

Food and Kitchen Scraps

• Fruit and vegetable scraps

• Meat, fish, and bones

• Solid fats like meat trimmings, butter, and cooled bacon grease

• Dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and sour cream

• Eggs and eggshells

• Bread, pasta, rice, grains, beans, and cereal

• Baked goods and desserts

• Nuts, seeds, chips, and candy

• Coffee grounds and filters, tea leaves, and tea bags

• Condiments and sauces

• Plate scrapings

• Pet food

  
  

Paper and Paper-Like Materials

• Food-soiled paper towels and napkins

• Paper plates

• Greasy paper takeout bags and pizza boxes

• Waxed paper, parchment paper, and paper muffin liners

  
  

Other Household Items

• Wooden stir sticks, toothpicks, chopsticks, and popsicle sticks

• Pet and human hair

• Shredded paper

• Houseplants

  
  

These items are accepted because commercial composting facilities can handle materials that break down slowly or require higher temperatures to decompose safely.

Brown paper bags filled with food scraps ready for compost drop-off

Items Not Accepted

While the program accepts many materials, some items cannot be composted at drop-off sites. These include:

• Plastic bags and containers

• Glass, metal, and non-compostable packaging

• Liquids such as cooking oil or sauces in large quantities

• Pet waste from animals (due to pathogens)

• Diseased plants or invasive species

• Large bones or animal carcasses that may attract pests

  
  

Avoid bringing these items to keep the composting process efficient and safe.

Where to Find Food Waste Drop-Off Sites in Winnipeg

Winnipeg has multiple drop-off locations spread across the city to make composting accessible. These sites are typically located at community centers, recycling depots, and some grocery stores.

To find the nearest drop-off site, I have included a link below.

• https://www.winnipeg.ca/services-programs/recycling-garbage/drop-depots/food-wasteCheck

  
  

Most sites accept food waste during regular business hours and provide clear signage to guide you.

Tips for Successful Compost Drop-Off

• Use only approved bags: brown paper or BPI-certified compostable bags

• Avoid plastic bags or liners that contaminate compost

• Store scraps in the fridge or freezer if you cannot drop off immediately

• Separate non-compostable waste to avoid contamination

• Flatten or crush bulky items like pizza boxes to save space

• Rinse containers lightly if they contain food residue to prevent pests

  
  

By following these tips, you help maintain the quality of compost and support the program’s success.

Benefits of Participating in Winnipeg’s Food Waste Drop-Off Program

Composting food waste has several positive impacts:

• Reduces landfill waste: Food scraps make up a large portion of household garbage. Diverting them reduces landfill volume and methane emissions.

• Creates nutrient-rich compost: The compost produced enriches soil, supporting local gardens and green spaces.

• Lowers greenhouse gases: Organic waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting reduces this emission.

• Supports community sustainability: Participating helps Winnipeg meet its waste reduction goals and promotes environmental responsibility.

  
  

By dropping off your food waste, you contribute to a cleaner, greener city.

Food waste drop-off sites in Winnipeg offer a practical way to compost a wide range of materials without the hassle of managing a backyard bin. Using brown paper or compostable bags, storing scraps properly, and knowing what can be composted will make your participation smooth and effective.