Food and Garden Organics

Food and Garden Waste Bin Double

Council provides a Food and Garden Organics service which allows residents to recycle food and garden scraps. This means that residents can dispose of both garden and food waste in a sustainable way. 

Please put your food scraps in the green bin, not in your red bin. 

Multi-unit developments

If you live in a stand-alone house or multi-unit development of four or less units (one to four units), you are eligible for the Food and Garden Organics service. Council is currently undertaking service planning to deliver to all multi-unit developments. Council does not currently offer a Food and Garden Organics service for residents in apartment buildings and multi-unit developments of five or more properties.

Why are we doing this?

The State Government has mandated all Victorian households must have access to Food and Garden Organics service, or local composting, by 2030. Council provides green bins to residents to support them to transition to better Food and Garden Organics management practices. This will lead to positive changes for the environment and a reduction in greenhouse emissions, in line with our Climate Emergency and Towards Zero Waste strategies.

We are also responding to both community calls over recent years and recognition of the need to better manage our city’s Food and Garden Organics. The service is also a key action of our Towards Zero Waste Strategy, which outlines our commitment and approach to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and increasing recycling across the municipality.

Almost half (48%) of the material in the typical household landfill bin is currently made up of Food and Garden Organics. By collecting and recycling this material, we can dramatically reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, and instead create nutrient rich compost to help farms and gardens grow. So, today’s Food and Garden Organics can grow tomorrow’s fruit and vegetables.

What goes in the new Food and Garden Organics bin?

 

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Please remember, it is important to keep plastic bags and food packaging out of your Food and Garden Organics bin, as these items will contaminate the compost. This includes "composable" caddy liners. Check out the FAQ for tips to keep your caddy fresh.

To assist you with identifying what can and can't go into the Food and Garden Organics bin, we've created a booklet with some simple steps on how to use the service.

Apply to downsize your Food and Garden Waste bin

If space is an issue you can apply for a smaller 120L bin. These 120L bins will be collected at the same frequency – fortnightly on the alternate week to recycling.

If you want to downsize from a 240L bin to a 120L bin complete the Application for an Additional Bin - residential form and select the appropriate option when prompted for the additional bin type.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Food and Garden Organics service?

Council provides a Food and Garden Organics service which allows residents to recycle food and garden scraps. This means that residents can dispose of both garden and food waste in a sustainable way.

Please put your food scraps in the green bin, NOT in your red bin.

When do I put my Food and Garden Organics bin out for collection and how can I check?

 

Your Food and Garden Organics bin will be collected fortnightly – on the alternate week your recycling bin is collected. Head to the website to check the collection dates for your street and to download the Bins and Recycling app. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play for free and never forget bin night again!

I don’t need a green bin because I already compost all my Food and Garden Organics.

That’s great! Please continue to compost and reduce food waste wherever you can.

Your green bin is complementary to your compost system and is a great option for handling large loads of green waste in spring and autumn, mouldy leftovers, citrus, bones and shells – all the food scraps that can’t go in your compost or worm farm. To make sure none of this valuable resource goes to waste, please ensure no organic waste enters the general rubbish (Red bin) by disposing of it in your green bin.

I don’t have the space for a large 240L bin, can I get a smaller bin?

If space is an issue you can apply for a smaller 120L bin. These 120L bins will be collected at the same frequency – fortnightly on the alternate week to recycling.

If you want to downsize from a 240L bin to a 120L bin complete the Application for an Additional Bin - residential form and select the appropriate option when prompted for the additional bin type.

If I get a smaller 120L bin, will the waste charge on my rates notice reduce?

No. The cost of the service, including the collection of bins and the transport and processing of the waste, is the standard charge for all residents across the municipality who access waste collection services. It relates to the service not the bin size. This charge is calculated annually as part of Council’s Budget. For more information about the Annual Budget, visit the website: www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/budget 

Is there a cost to use the service?

Council provides a Food and Garden Organics service to all stand-alone houses within the City of Maribyrnong. This includes the pick-up and emptying of the bins and diversion of the recycled material to the composting facility. Annual charges for the service provision are part of the waste management charge, which residents receive on their annual rates assessment notice.

I live in an apartment or multi-unit development, can I access the Food and Garden Organics service?

If you live in a stand-alone house or multi-unit development of 4 or less units (1 to 4 units), you are eligible for the Food and Garden Organics service. Council is currently undertaking service planning to deliver to all multi-unit developments. Council does not currently offer a Food and Garden Organics service for residents in apartment buildings and multi-unit developments of 5 or more properties. If you're interested in diverting your Food and Garden Organics from landfill you may want to take advantage of Council’s $65 subsidy on selected composting systems at Compost Community.  By adding a compost system to your garden you can produce your own fertilizer and build healthy soil from the comfort of your own backyard. Alternatively consider connecting with a neighbour through ShareWaste.  ShareWaste is a volunteer based group connecting local composters around the area. If you have compost, but no place to use it, you can find others in the neighbourhood who accept compost donations. 

How do I collect my food waste to take to my green bin?

You can collect your food waste using the provided kitchen caddy (or compost caddy), or by using any container, such as an old ice cream tub or large yoghurt container. 

Can I line my kitchen caddy with a compostable bag?

No. Please do not use plastic bags or compostable bags of any kind.

Food scraps should be collected in your kitchen container or caddy and then placed into the Food and Garden Organics bin loose. If needed you can line the caddy with newspaper. Just make sure not to wrap up your scraps completely because sorters at the processing facility won't be able to see what's inside.

What will happen to my Food and Garden Organics?

Food and Garden Organics will be taken to the Veolia organic processing facility, where it will be broken down over six to ten days and turned into mulch and compost products. These products can then be used to improve soil quality across Victoria.

What can I do to keep my bin and kitchen caddy fresh?

If you manage your kitchen caddy and outdoor bin well, smells are not an issue. To manage them well, try the following:

  1. Keep the lid of your kitchen caddy closed when you are not using it, and keep it somewhere out of direct sunlight.
  2. Remember to give your caddy a rinse after you empty it, or place it in the dishwasher.
  3. For smelly food scraps like prawn shells, fish and meat scraps, place these in your fridge or freezer until the night before your bin collection, then place them in your Food and Garden Organics bin.
  4. Remember to keep your outdoor bin in a shaded area, if possible.
  5. Try lining your kitchen caddy with a sheet of newspaper or paper towel, to help absorb some of the liquid from your food waste.
  6. Try sprinkling bicarbonate soda in your kitchen caddy and outdoor bin as a natural way to neutralise smells.
  7. Remember to layer the bottom of the outdoor bin with garden waste to help prevent food waste from sticking to the base.

Will my bin attract pests?

No. If you manage your bin properly and remember to keep it closed it will not attract pests more than any other bin.

Further information

Connect with us

There are many ways you can connect with us, including:

Waste reduction programs

Council offers a range of waste reduction programs to assist residents in reducing their waste at home, these include:

Visit our Waste reduction programs page to find more information on the above programs and more.