Ottawa's Green Bin program fell almost 30,000 tonnes of organic waste short of its contract with compost company Orgaworld.

The city signed a 20-year contract with the company to guarantee a collection of 80, 000 tonnes a year. The Green Bin program only collected 53, 000 tonnes in 2010 which means taxpayers will have to shell out $2.5 million to account for the contract shortfall.

Still, city officials said they are happy with the way residents adopted the program.

Councillor Maria McCrae, the new chair of the city's environment committee, said taxpayers will benefit over the long term.

The city is planning to expand the program to include schools and restaurants.