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Watch your bags! No plastic in your green waste, says Coquitlam

Residents need to keep plastic bags — even those labelled biodegradable, compostable or municipality-approved — out of their green waste carts.
Only organic materials, such as yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper products are acceptable. Residents may choose to wrap food waste in paper towel or newspaper or place in paper bags.

Residents need to keep plastic bags — even those labelled biodegradable, compostable or municipality-approved — out of their green waste carts.

That is the message from the city of Coquitlam, which said this week it is noticing high levels of contamination at the compost-processing facility contracted to take in the residents' organic waste.

"Contaminated loads may be rejected by the processor and/or the city may receive financial penalties for contaminated loads," the city said in a statement. "We need the cooperation of all residents."

Only organic materials, such as yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper products are acceptable. Residents may choose to wrap food waste in paper towel or newspaper or place in paper bags.

The city monitors the waste streams for contamination. If it spots material that should not be in the green cart, residents will receive an information letter, followed, potentially, by a notice of violation and fines of $150.

For more information, go to www.coquitlam.ca/foodwaste.

gmckenna@tricitynews.com