Food scraps trial to reduce landfill

The City of Sydney is inviting 100 apartment buildings and 300 houses to join its first food scraps collection trial in mid-2019.

The trial is part of the City’s Leave Nothing to Waste action plan, which has a target of diverting more than 90 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030.

“We know our residents are looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment, so we’re really excited to start this trial” the Lord Mayor said.

“We currently divert 67 per cent of residential waste from landfill, and this new kerbside collection is a crucial part of our work to achieve zero waste by 2030.

“I encourage people who live in houses or apartment buildings to apply for the trial, which we will look at expanding in 2020”.

Food scraps make up one third of the red lid bins in the local area.

Food waste collected in the trial will be turned into nutrient-rich fertiliser that can be used to grow plants and improve soil. The trial will also test the best way to collect food waste from different building types.

The City will call for expressions of interest from November 2018 to 31 December 2018 for residents and building managers to register their interest to take part in the trial.

Residents can find out more about the trial and register online at: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/foodscraps

People who sign up will receive a kitchen caddy, compostable liners and a food scraps bin. These will be different for houses and apartments.

Residents and buildings will also receive an information pack to help them get started.

The City will assess all households that register against the trial guidelines. Residents living in apartments will need to provide contact details for building managers and selected buildings will require strata committee approval.

Residents who can’t join in the first phase of the trial will receive details of other local programs and services they can use to reduce food waste and compost leftovers.

For media inquiries or images, contact Leanne Bridges. Phone mobile 0402 208 986 or email [email protected]

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Jack Begbie. Phone 0481 759 580 or email [email protected]