Once Halloween ends, the porch still holds carved pumpkins, a few hay bales and a lot of decor. Some of it is compostable, and some is not. This guide covers the City of Vancouver's rules, and then it shows how to sort the rest.
Pumpkins
The City of Vancouver lists pumpkins as accepted in the green bin, under food scraps. Cut a big pumpkin into pieces so it fits. The City also says green bins have weight limits, from 50 kg for a 120 L cart to 150 kg for a 360 L cart. As a rule of thumb, if you cannot move your green bin, it is too heavy to be collected. Pumpkins are heavy, so spread them over a few weeks if you have several.
The City also says liquids of any kind and plastic items stay out of the green bin. Remove candles, plastic decorations, glitter or any plastic that was stuck to the pumpkin. Check that no plastic is left before it goes in.
If you have a backyard composter, the City says composting uncooked food scraps at home makes nutrient-rich soil.
Not in Vancouver? Metro Vancouver says to check with your municipality to confirm exactly what can go in your green bin. The details here are for the City of Vancouver.
Keep the green bin clean and light
The City of Vancouver's tips for the outdoor green bin include storing it outside in a shady, flat and ventilated location and keeping the lid closed. It also says to keep the contents dry by alternating a layer of food scraps with a layer of leaves, grass clippings or dead plants, and to set the bin out for collection every week, even if it is not full.
Hay bales and straw
The City's green bin list includes leaves, grass clippings, weeds, plants, flowers and short branches. It does not list hay or straw. The City's green bin list does not name hay or straw, so call 3-1-1 or your city before you put bales out. Do not assume they are accepted.
The City says to drop off extra yard waste at the transfer station or landfill, and that fees apply. Ask before you go whether bales are accepted at that site.
If the bales are clean, you may be able to reuse them, for example as mulch around plants. Our organics recycling page covers the wider yard waste picture.
Corn stalks, gourds and other decor
Decorative gourds and corn stalks are plant material, but the City's list names specific items. Leaves, grass clippings, weeds, plants and flowers are accepted. Cut stalks into short lengths. Branches or prunings thicker than 10 cm or longer than 50 cm are not accepted, according to the City.
Plastic and fake decor
Plastic items are not accepted in the green bin. That includes fake pumpkins, plastic skeletons, cobwebs and anything else that is plastic. The City's green bin page lists plastic of any type as a contamination risk. If it cannot be reused or donated, check for a recycling option and otherwise put it in the garbage.
A quick sorting table
| Item | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| Carved or whole pumpkin | Green bin, in Vancouver |
| Candle or plastic stuck in it | Remove first, then garbage |
| Hay or straw bale | Check with 3-1-1 first |
| Leaves, weeds, plants | Green bin |
| Plastic decor | Not green bin. Reuse or garbage |
FAQ
Can pumpkins go in the green bin? In the City of Vancouver, yes. The City lists pumpkins as accepted.
What if my green bin is too heavy? The City says it cannot empty a bin that is over the weight limit.
Can I put hay bales in the green bin? The City does not list them as accepted. Call 3-1-1 before you put them out.
Where do plastic decorations go? Not in the green bin. Reuse or donate them, or put them in the garbage.