Who is the Commercial Food Waste & Organics Bylaw For?

This bylaw applies to all Calgary companies, including but not limited to:

• Office buildings 
• Retail stores
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Universities
• Healthcare facilities
• Factories
• Places of worship

How Does This Bylaw Affect My Business?

To ensure compliance with Calgary’s commercial food waste and organics bylaw, businesses must do the following:

Choose the Right Hauler

Partnering with a waste hauler that is experienced in organics collection is a crucial component of any successful commercial waste collection program. 

An effective organics hauler will have the necessary equipment, knowledge, and facilities to handle the safe transport and disposal of your organic waste. They will also comply with all local and national regulations and support sustainable waste management practices. Additionally, a reliable hauler can provide you with regular pickup schedules and streamlined billing processes, helping you to manage your waste more effectively. 

As a leader in reliable and sustainable commercial waste management, BluPlanet Recycling is officially listed on the City of Calgary’s directory of collection companies that provide food and yard waste services. 

Accept the Right Materials

According to the City of Calgary, commercial food and yard waste programs must accept the following materials:

All Food (Raw & Cooked)

• Plate scrapings
• Meat, fish, shellfish, and bones
• Fruits and vegetables
• Bread, noodles, rice, beans, and grains
• Eggshells and dairy products
• James, sauces, and salad dressings
• Pastries, cookies, cakes, and muffins
• Nuts, seeds, chips, popcorn, and candy

Food Soiled Paper

• Paper plates, paper towels, and napkins
• Coffee filters and tea bags

Fats, Oils, & Grease

• Cooking oil 

Yard Waste

• Leaves
• Plants and weeds
• Branches and prunings
• Grass clippings and sod

For additional tips and tricks on organics collection, visit “What can I put in my green organics cart?”. 

Effective Storage

Organics bins should be stored in a designated area that is easily accessible for waste disposal but out of the way of foot traffic to minimize the risk of tripping or injury. The storage area should be clean, dry, and protected from the elements to prevent the buildup of odours and attractants for pests. 

Securing the appropriate amount of organics containers is also important to prevent overflow between collections, and it is not uncommon for businesses in certain industries to need additional support in this area. Restaurant food waste, for example, generates a significant volume of organic throw-aways every day and therefore, dining establishments require specific restaurant waste management solutions. 

An experienced waste hauler will be able to work directly with your business to establish an effective storage strategy.   

Educate & Inform

If an organics diversion program is new to your business, informing all individuals (employees, tenants, etc) of the details is imperative to its success.

Training and appropriate signage are important components of seamless program implementation, as they simplify the process for those involved.   

Why Should My Business Care About Diverting Organics?

Diverting organic waste has many benefits, both environmentally and economically. Not only does this practice allow businesses to minimize their impact on the environment, but it also enables them to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible practices, which can have a positive impact on their reputation and attract environmentally-conscious customers.

Organic waste diversion helps lessen the amount of waste sent to landfills, conserving natural resources and reducing our carbon footprint. It can also result in lower disposal costs, as composting and other forms of organic waste diversion can be more cost-effective than traditional disposal methods. 

BluPlanet Can Help!

Aside from organic waste program participation being the responsible choice, it has many benefits to businesses. 

As commercial food waste and organics diversion becomes a requirement in many regions, working with a reputable commercial waste hauler that can support your needs will help you stay compliant with bylaws.   

For questions about Calgary waste collection bylaws or more information about our services, contact us today.