The Great Green Bin Glow-Up

Why we engaged

On July 1, 2025, Kingston began a transition to an automated cart-based waste collection system. As part of the rollout, residents received new, larger bins for garbage and organics. In the spirit of waste diversion, staff set up a contest, asking the community for creative and innovative ideas on how to repurpose old green bins.

How we engaged

An ‘Ideas’ tool was published on Get Involved Kingston on June 26. Participants were invited to submit ideas (with text and/or images) and engage with others’ ideas. Submissions closed on July 9.

The engagement was promoted with the community in a variety of ways including:

Who we heard from

What we heard

21 participants contributed a total of 28 ideas for repurposing their old green bins. The following is a summary of themes identified in the submissions:

Practical Household Uses (17)

The most popular idea theme suggested repurposing green bins for practical household use. Submissions ranged from storing items such as garden tools, toys and fishing rods, to organics like soil, firewood and birdseed. Each idea took advantage of the bin’s generous size, perfect for stowing away a variety of items. Other ideas suggested the green bin also lends itself well to seasonal storage, such as keeping salt on hand for winter and grass clippings in the summer.

Creative & Recreational Repurposing (8)

A number of submissions focused on creative and recreational repurposing of green bins, showcasing the bins’ versatility beyond their original purpose. Participants suggested transforming bins into art projects or themed decorations. Others proposed using them in games and sports, such as creating frisbee golf targets, golf chipping stations, tetherball poles or hockey stick holders.

Environmental & Community Initiatives (3)

Another theme across submissions was to use the bins as tools that benefit the environment and the local community. Suggestions included using the bins’ built-in wheels to assist with garbage collection during community cleanups. Others focused on social causes such as food bank collections and storage bins for personal belongings.