Kerbside organics collection
From 1 July 2022 Recycling Victoria, a dedicated business unit within the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, will provide strategic leadership for the waste and recycling sector. The data and reports on this page will migrate to Recycling Victoria in the coming months.
Unlike the general waste and commingled recycling services, organics collection services are still not universal across all councils. Of the 79 councils in Victoria, 53 currently provide some sort of organics collection service to their residents. Of these, 28 services are regular compulsory services (such as, weekly or fortnightly collection) and 25 are an optional user-pays service (fortnightly collection).
Collecting and recycling food waste
Diversion of food organics from landfill is becoming a priority for councils in Victoria. As at April 2017, 11 out of 79 councils in Victoria (14%) were providing a food organics collection service to households, with a handful also looking to collect food organics from small businesses.
Residual waste bin composition
Food waste makes up a large proportion of collected residual waste from households (36% of the residual waste bin). Collecting it has the potential to divert a significant amount of waste from landfill with a positive impact on recycling. A food waste collection can be part of an effective service profile that includes reduced frequency residual waste collections.
Useful resources
The following information and guidance covers a range of topics related to kerbside organics collection.
Food and Garden Organics Best Practice Collection Manual
The Food and Garden Organics Best Practice Collection Manual addresses each step in the consideration, planning and implementation of a kerbside organics collection service, from investigating the right type of systems to adopt, through to service roll out and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of service performance.
Household food waste collections guide
WRAP UK has produced a Household Food Waste Collections Guide, to provide local authorities with information on the collection of household food waste as a means of diverting material from landfill or other residual waste treatment. The guide includes the different options and systems for collecting food waste (UK context) and highlights issues to consider when planning and implementing a new food waste collection scheme. The guide also provides advice to local government on how to increase participation and capture rates through effective promotion and communication activities.
Optimising kerbside collection systems – Goulburn Valley case studies
In collaboration with the Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Group and participating councils we have developed case studies to highlight the benefits of collecting food and garden organics through a combined food and garden kerbside collection service.
The case studies demonstrate good practice and innovation in the design and implementation of new or expanded kerbside collection services across the Goulburn Valley and aim to capture and promote learnings more broadly.
The videos can help you to learn more about the different things to consider, when planning for the introduction of a FOGO collection service.
Moira Shire Council
Moira Shire was the first council in the Goulburn Valley region to introduce a kerbside collection service for food and garden organics. The service has achieved astounding results and is an example of how careful planning and a comprehensive education and engagement program can lead to success.
Greater Shepparton City Council
In 2015, the City of Greater Shepparton introduced a compulsory food and garden organics collection service to divert as much organic waste from landfill as possible. Prior to the service starting council engaged with numerous stakeholders from different areas of their community to grow community support and educate on the new service.
Strathbogie Shire Council
For a small regional council, introducing a new kerbside food and garden organics service can be difficult. For Strathbogie Shire Council, working with their local community and collaborating with others was key to success.
