Council audit shows half of Melton’s waste bins not being used properly

A bad bin habit is costing residents the chance to reduce emissions and landfill as an audit reveals a shocking reality.

Despite a recent surge in ‘green’ bin usage, a council audit has revealed half of its residents are wasting the double opportunity of reducing emissions and landfill.

A recent City of Melton audit has revealed more than half its residents are not taking full advantage of their ‘green’ Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) bins, with food and garden organics still ending up in landfill waste.

About 75 per cent of Melton properties – about 50,000 – opted into the collection service to send their scraps to compost rather than landfill following a July 2021 move by council that allowed residents to opt-in at no additional charge.

Residents are meant to place loose (not bagged) scraps into their kitchen benchtop caddie or straight into their green bin.

Instead of using plastic or compostable bags, which cannot be processed with the compost material, bins can be lined with newspaper, paper towel, or garden clippings.

A recent audit revealed about 50 per cent of Melton's landfill waste bins contain food waste that could go into the FOGO bin. Picture: City of Melton

According to council, over 12,000 tonnes of food and garden materials are diverted from Melton’s landfill each year.

However, the recent audit reveals over 50 per cent of red landfill bins contain food and garden waste that should belong in the FOGO bins.

City of Melton mayor Lara Carli encouraged residents to make the most of their green bins and order one if needed.

“Diverting household food scraps from landfill significantly reduces the amount of waste we send to landfill,” Ms Carli said.

“Simply throwing our food scraps and garden clippings into the green bin is an easy step towards a greener future … we’re not only reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating compost, we’re also reducing what goes into your red bin and landfill,” she said.

Following a fee restructure in July 2021, more than 75 per cent of properties now host a green FOGO bin. Picture: City of Melton

It comes as footage emerged online of a man dumping furniture near the Melton train line, prompting an investigation by authorities.

Property owners and tenants can apply for a FOGO bin online.