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.

The NSW Government has mandated specific reforms around source separation of food waste in the Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041 in order to meet the target of halving the amount of organic waste sent to landfill by 2030. Waverley Council is currently undertaking feasibility studies to understand how best to meet the state requirements.

Currently the contents of our general waste bins (red lidded), including food waste, are sent for processing through a Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) facility. The mixed waste organic output from this process is currently being used as a landfill cover instead of virgin materials such as sand and other fines (small particles), which has a significant environmental benefit Learn more

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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 year!

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 program. 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 Revolution to get up to 80% discount on compost bins and worm farms.

Find a compost bin with the Sharewaste app  

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 app that connects those wanting to recycle food scraps with those who have a permanent compost bin. Search the ShareWaste map.

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. To learn more about shared garden groups in Waverley and to learn how to join, please visit our shared garden page.