Cons of Using Green Bins

Corruption

• The purpose of green bins is to collect garbage to turn it into compost. Sometimes, the processor contracted to do this becomes corrupt and, instead of turning the garbage into compost, sends it directly to a landfill. Toronto's Halton Recycling was caught redirecting some garbage to a landfill in the state of Michigan instead of turning it into compost, reports The Star. As a result of this undermining of public confidence, Toronto has to closely scrutinize processors.

Difficult to Clean

• Another con of using green bins is that they are difficult to clean, according to Guelph, Ontario, resident Kathleen Brookfield. People have experienced problems with maggots because of the green bins. Maggots are known to crawl out of the bottom of green bins and get into places they should not be, such as children's sandboxes and toys left in a yard. Green bins are hard to clean thoroughly because they are deep, making it difficult to reach the bottom.

No Tissues Allowed

• Green bin recycling programs, such as the one in Rhode Island, do not allow users to place items such as tissue and tissue paper into them. Reasons for the ban include health and safety issues, as well as the fact that paper used for tissue is of a low grade that can't be easily recycled.

No Pizza Boxes Allowed

• Some states also prohibit items like pizza boxes. In Rhode Island, residents are not allowed to place a pizza box in green bins because of the grease they may contain, according to the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corp. Even if a pizza box is free of grease, many Rhode Island haulers have been told not to pick up any pizza boxes.