On October 15, 2024, The City of Winnipeg, in partnership with Compost Winnipeg, unveiled 15 new public drop-off locations at community centres around the city. This service is completely free for the public and is expected to run until a city-wide Green Cart curbside food waste collection program is introduced.
Food waste can be brought in paper bags or BPI-certified compostable plastic bags.
View a full list of accepted items or search for individual items using the Recyclepedia. Full list of locations and accepted items are also included at the end of this post.
Why compost?
Keeping food waste out of the landfill significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. For every tonne of food waste we keep out of the landfill, we keep two tonnes of CO2 out of the atmosphere. Since landfills are heavily compacted, there isn’t enough oxygen to allow food to decompose in a healthy way. When food breaks down in this environment it creates methane gas, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. Food in landfills also causes smelly odors, soil degradation, and reduces the overall lifespan of the landfill.
How does it work?
Collecting, storing & transporting food waste
Collect your food waste in a small container or kitchen pail. You can line that container with newspaper, a paper bag, or a BPI-certified compostable bag to keep the container clean and easier to transport your local food waste to the drop off station.
If it will be some time before you drop off your food waste or you are noticing odours, you can store your food waste in reusable food storage containers or in a BPI-certified compostable bag in your freezer. Frozen food waste is less messy, less smelly, and easier to take to a drop off location.
List of Accepted items
Industrial compost facilities can process more items than your typical backyard compost.
Food waste:
- Fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes
- Meat, fish, bones
- Solid fats, dairy, eggs, eggshells
- Grains (wheat, rice, corn, etc.)
- Nuts, seeds, chips, candy
- Coffee, tea, coffee filters, teabags
- Condiments, sauces
- Pet food
Paper and cardboard, including:
- Greasy/soiled paper packaging
- Pizza boxes (ripped into pieces)
- Napkins and paper towels
- Waxed paper, parchment, muffin liners
- Shredded paper
- Wood (stir sticks, toothpicks, etc.)
Other:
- Pet and human hair
- Houseplants
Non-accepted items
These items are not accepted at food waste drop off stations:
- Plastic bags
- Coffee cups
- Glass
- Metal
- Compostable food containers, cups, straws, and utensils
List of Locations
- Brady 4R Winnipeg Depot – 1825 Brady Rd.
- Pacific 4R Winnipeg Depot – 1120 Pacific Ave.
- Panet 4R Winnipeg Depot – 429 Panet Rd.
- Corydon Community Centre – Sir John Franklin site – 1 Sir John Franklin Rd.
- Garden City Community Centre – 725 Kingsbury Ave.
- Sturgeon Heights Community Centre – 210 Rita St.
- River Osborne Community Centre – 101 Pembina Hwy.
- Lindenwoods Community Centre – 414 Lindenwoods Drive West
- Glenwood Community Centre – 27 Overton St.
- Dakota Community Centre – 1188 Dakota St.
- Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre – 510 King St.
- Valley Gardens Community Centre – 218 Antrim Rd.
- South Winnipeg Community Centre – Waverly site – 1885 Chancellor Dr.
- Roblin Park Community Centre – 640 Pepperloaf Cres.
- Transcona Collegiate Institute – 1305 Winona St.
- Valour CC – Orioles – 448 Burnell St.
- Lipton Garden – 878 Lipton St.
- Spirit Park Garden – 200 Young St.
Questions/Concerns
For concerns related to the 4R Winnipeg Depot food waste drop off locations, contact 311.
For concerns about accepted items or community centre food waste drop off locations, contact Compost Winnipeg.
