Food waste

Our 2020 kerbside bin audit determined that 35% of Waverley Council’s red bin weight is made up of kitchen and food scraps. In Australia, food waste accounts for more than 5% of total greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), according to the 2020 National Waste Report.This external link will open in a new window

The NSW Government has mandated specific reforms around source separation of food waste in the Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041This external link will open in a new window in order to meet the target of halving the amount of organic waste sent to landfill by 2030.

Waverley Council will be trialling a Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) collection service in 2024. Council Officers are currently working through a number of key factors, including procurement and contractual matters, which need to be finalised prior to the commencement of a trial to ensure the collected materials can be processed. Procurement of bins, workforce planning and the development of community education programs on how to use the service also needs to be developed.

The timeframe for the roll-out of a FOGO service for all Waverley households will be depend on trial results and availability of suitable processing arrangements for the collected materials.

In the meantime, please continue to dispose of your food organic waste in the kerbside red-lidded bin which is currently processed through a Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) facility, significantly reducing residual waste going to landfill. Alternatively, to learn more about how to reduce or compost your food waste or receive 80% off the price of composting products, visit our website.

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Get Food Smart – save money and reduce waste

It may seem like we only throw out small amounts of food every now and again, but it all adds up. The average NSW household wastes about $3,800 worth of food each yearThis external link will open in a new window!

When we throw away food, we’re also throwing away all the natural resources like water and energy that went into growing, packaging, producing, transporting, selling and preparing your food.

Learn tips and tricks to help you reduce food waste and save money with the NSW Love Food Hate Waste Food Smart programThis external link will open in a new window. Browse the tips and tricks or take a free 6 week guided program that will help you understand your food waste, plan meals, shop smart and much more.

Composting in Waverley

Compost at home with the Compost Revolution

Compost Revolution, a program started by Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick Councils in 2010 has helped locals learn how to compost and worm farm at home, reducing food waste and GHG emissions. Waverley residents have diverted 3,708 tonnes of food waste from landfill saving 7,044 tonnes of GHGs. Join the Compost RevolutionThis external link will open in a new window to get up to 80% discount on compost bins and worm farms.

Find a compost bin with Sharewaste  

If you are unable to compost at home, you may be able to find a local resident who can accept your food scraps in their bin. ShareWaste is a free community-run platform that connects those wanting to recycle food scraps with those who have a permanent compost bin. Search the ShareWaste mapThis external link will open in a new window.

Public place compost bins

There are some compost bins at public locations in our local government area and are managed by the local community, not Council. If an existing compost bin is located on a verge or within a community garden near you, please request permission before using it. To learn more about shared garden groups in Waverley and learn how to join, please visit our shared garden pageThis external link will open in a new window.