Weekly Organics Deliver Cost Savings

In September 2024, Council began a trial involving the weekly collection of organics bins. The trial allows residents to easily dispose of food and garden waste by placing it out for kerbside collection each week. As part of the trial, recycling and landfill bins are collected fortnightly. Around 1,400 properties in Beulah Park and Kensington Park are participating.

The trial has been a resounding success. Residents have embraced the opportunity to use their organics bins for food and garden waste. Putting organic material in the organics bin, including all food waste, reduces landfill waste and saves money. Financial savings occur because it is five times cheaper to send organic material to be composted, rather than to landfill.

The trial is saving Council over $800 per week on landfill disposal. While there are costs involved in changing systems, the savings can pay back the costs. Thus, weekly organics has the potential to generate long-term savings for the community.

How much does weekly organics reduce landfill?

A lot! One common metric used to assess community management of waste is ‘diversion’ from landfill. Materials that are recycled or composted are considered as ‘diverted’ from landfill. Typically, the diversion rate in Burnside is around 61 per cent. Since the trial’s introduction, the trial area has increased its diversion rate to an impressive 75 per cent. This is one of the highest diversion rates in South Australia.

Council is deeply grateful to the community for embracing the weekly green organics collection and committing to separating food and organic waste. The support from the community has been essential to the success of this trial.

Based on the success of this project, Council has decided to extend the trial until at least 30 June, to help evaluate long-term savings and operational improvements for the community. Planning beyond 30 June will occur as part of Council’s annual budgeting processes.

What do our residents think about weekly organics?

Beulah Park resident Rick said so far, the trial had been an incredible success across the trial zone.

‘We have been putting out a full green bin every week, we are delighted so far. We get great joy from throwing a big bag of food waste into the green bin,’ Rick said.

‘Looking around the neighbourhood everyone has gotten behind the trial, I have not spoken with a single person against it.’

‘I would encourage the City of Burnside to trial elsewhere and keep us as a permanent weekly organics area.’

‘People will see they can do the right thing and the city profits financially.’

Beulah Park residents Rick and Deb

Want to know more? Visit: burnside.sa.gov.au/weeklyorganics