Food no longer going to waste with Council’s Food and Garden Organics Collection Service (Media release)

As of 1 July 2019, Council is expanding its kerbside collection services to households by offering fortnightly food and garden organics collection.

The expanded Food and Garden Organics Collection Service will initially combine the opt-in Green Waste Service with the collection of food organics.

This is the first phase of a longer-term initiative to keep food waste out of landfill.

Households who already receive Council’s opt-in Green Waste Service can start putting food organics into their organics bin (green waste bin with light green lid) from 1 July 2019.

Households who do not have an organics bin, but would like to opt-in to this service, can contact Council after 1 July 2019 to receive a new organics bin at no additional charge.

The Food and Garden Organics Collection Service will be rolled out across the entire municipality in 2021 with households receiving an organics bin at no additional charge.

“Council is excited to announce the expansion of its collection services to the community, to include food organics for the first time,” said Cr Natalie Abboud, Mayor of the City of Merri-bek.

“Currently over 50% of waste in Merri-bek that goes to landfill is food organics, and when it breaks down in landfill it produces the harmful greenhouse gas methane, which contributes to climate change.

“By having household food organics collected and properly processed, it can be turned into compost which can be used to enrich soil on farms, parks, school gardens and other useful applications,” said Cr Abboud.

Council conducted a four-month trial of Food and Garden Organics Collection from November 2018 to March 2019 with 1000 households across Pascoe Vale and Pascoe Vale South.

Council will be conducting an extensive education and engagement campaign throughout the rollout of the Food and Garden Organics Collection Service to assist households with the transition to the new service.

“By expanding our service offering so households can include their food and garden organics together, we are all making a positive difference and putting our food waste to good use,” said Cr Abboud.

The service is part of Council’s commitment to meet its Zero Carbon 2040 targets and its goal of zero waste to landfill by 2030. Both are key initiatives outlined in Council’s 2017-2021 Council Plan and Waste and Litter Strategy 2018.

To find out more visit the green waste collection.

Media enquiries: Senior Media and Communications Advisor Jenny Hay on 9355 4228.

Contact Jenny to arrange an interview and photo opportunity with a community member who has trialled the program.

11 April 2019