Weekly Organics Expands to the Monday Collection Area

Since the trial began in September 2024, households and businesses have embraced the opportunity to place food scraps and garden waste in their green organics bins each week. As a result, landfill has been reduced by 200 tonnes compared to the previous financial year. A win for the environment and the community.

This shift is important because composting food and garden waste is around five times cheaper than sending it to landfill. These savings help reduce pressure on Council’s waste management budget and, in turn, on rates. Similar successes have been seen in other councils across Australia.

Thanks to this success, weekly organics is now being extended to the Monday bin collection area. This households and businesses in Beulah Park, Kensington Park, Kensington Gardens and Magill. Residents in this area should have already received information about the trial.

How It Works

Households and businesses in the trial area will have their green organics bins collected weekly and red-lidded landfill bins collected fortnightly. With no change to the recycling bin. Most household waste is organic waste from the kitchen and the garden. Therefore it makes sense to have weekly green organics collection. While most households are ready for this change, council is providing additional support for households where needed.

What do our residents think?

Community support has been key to the success of the trial. From saving money to reducing landfill, residents have embraced the change and are seeing the benefits.

Why Weekly Organics Works

Easier to dispose of food waste. Weekly green organics collection means households can send all food scraps to be composted without having to worry about smell or waiting another week for collection.

Takes the pressure off rates. Weekly organics collection makes it easier to use the green bin for food scraps. With more food scraps in the green bins, Council saves money.

Most landfill bins are half full. Because most landfill bins are half full or less, they don’t need to be emptied each week. Composting creates local jobs. Putting food and garden waste in your green bin grows the local composting industry. The compost helps increase the productivity of South Australian farms and vineyards.

Better for the environment. When food waste is composted it breaks down quickly. In contrast, when food waste goes to landfill it breaks down slowly and releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Reduces landfill. Our trial has shown weekly organics significantly reduces landfill. A weekly service makes it easier to put all food scraps and organic waste in the green organics bin.

What’s Next?

This service is expected to continue beyond the trial and expand to other areas, subject to future Council budgets and the ongoing success of the program. Residents will be notified in advance of any further changes.

Council thanks residents for embracing weekly organics. Your efforts are helping to reduce landfill, save money, support responsible waste management.

Want to learn more about weekly organics?
Visit www.burnside.sa.gov.au/weeklyorganics

What goes in the green organics bin?