All Campbelltown householders can register for free green waste kitchen caddies and compostable bags under new recycling scheme
All Campbelltown households will receive free green waste kitchen scrap bins under an upgraded recycling scheme described as a “winner” by the mayor.
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Campbelltown Council will provide free compostable bags and food scrap baskets to all households under a new citywide food organics recycling system.
The council, which received a $256,000 grant from Green Industries SA, is expected to roll out the program from next month.
Campbelltown Mayor Jill Whittaker said the program would expand on a trial where residents in particular areas received a food scrap basket and roll of 150 bags, with around 4000 people currently registered.
“It’s a winner because it helps the environment and it reduces costs as the same time,” Ms Whittaker said.
“It will significantly reduce rubbish going into landfill, it’s costing us $150 a tonne with the solid waste levy.”
It is anticipated to cost the council $35,000 in the first year of the program.
However, the cost after the first year would be offset from savings created by diverting material away from landfill.
A recent council bin audit revealed 70 per cent of Campbelltown residents put food waste in the landfill bin.
“This presents a missed opportunity in diverting this material, not to mention an increased cost to dispose of it,” a council report read.
An East Waste audit also found just 16 per cent of food waste was placed in the green organics bin.
“This means while more people are placing food into their green organics bin, a majority of the overall material is still heading to landfill,” it read.
Ms Whittaker expected the majority of residents to register.
“Some people are too busy to take the message on board, or are not really that concerned,” she said.
“But it’s a small minority, I would expect most people would be keen to participate.”
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The council has also been in discussions with two, local prominent supermarkets to trial and eventually transition to compostable bags.
“It is critical for the majority of stores and supermarkets to be on board and utilise compostable bags to enable consistent messaging and reduce the potential for plastic bags to contaminate the green organics stream,” the report read.