Weekly Green Organics Trial

residents with green bin and compost bag.jpg

Key points

  • Collecting organics weekly can save council money and has environmental benefits.
  • Most households do not need their red landfill bins collected weekly because they are less than half full.
  • Council is conducting a 6-month trial in Beulah Park and the northern side of Kensington Park.
  • The trial will see green organics bins collected weekly, while red landfill bins will be collected fortnightly.
  • This webpage provides details about the trial.

Introduction

Council’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy includes a priority to conduct innovative trials and seek to improve the kerbside organics service. To achieve this, Council and East Waste will commence a 6-month trial of weekly green organics bin collection from Monday 2 September 2024, with approximately 1,300 households and businesses. Similar trials have been successful in other South Australian councils. These trials have had great support among participating households and have reduced waste going to landfill.

此页面提供有关每周绿色有机物追踪的详细信息。可以使用页面右上角的翻译按钮来翻译此页面。

Questions? 

If you have any questions about the Weekly Green Organics Trial, please contact Council on 8366 4200, email burnside@burnside.sa.gov.au, or use the form at the bottom of this webpage to request a call back.

Chat to us in person at

  • Mellor Reserve on Saturday 10 August from 10 am-12 pm
  • Bradman Park on Saturday 31 August from 1.30 pm-3.30pm
  • Presentation at the Burnside Library on Thursday 22 August from 6 pm-7 pm. Bookings are essential. Click here to book. 

What is happening?

From Monday 2 September 2024, a 6-month trial will commence. Households and businesses in the trial area will have their bins collections changed as pictured below.

Bin collection.PNG

Who is in the trial?

Households and businesses in Beulah Park and the northern side of Kensington Park are part of the trial. This area is bounded by Magill Road, Glynburn Road, The Parade and Portrush Road (shown in the map below).  For streets on the edge of the trial (coloured pink on the map), households and business across the road are not part of the trial. The trial area has been selected to suit East Waste’s operational needs, such as truck collection runs.

trial area.PNG

Why trial?

There are numerous benefits.

This trial is being conducted because there are numerous benefits to weekly green organics collection:

  • Bin collection should meet the needs of most households. Most household waste is organic waste from the kitchen and the garden. We also know that most household’s landfill bins do not need to be collected weekly because they are half full or less.
  • Reduces landfill volumes. More food organics going into the green organics bin means less is wasted in landfill.
  • Financial savings. It’s five times cheaper to compost organic material such as food waste rather than sending it to landfill. Sending less material to landfill keeps the pressure off Council rates.
  • Ease of use. Households will have their organics collected weekly, so do not need to worry about smell or waiting another week for collection.
  • Improves environmental sustainability. The contents of the green organics bin are turned into valuable compost, rather than being wasted in landfill. 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.
  • Creates local jobs. The composting industry creates and supports more jobs than landfill sites.

What goes in the green organics bin?

The green organics bin is for organic material that can be commercially composted. This includes food scraps such as fruit, vegetables, meat, bones, compostable takeaway packaging and garden organics such as leaves, branches and lawn clippings.

What goes in the green bin.PNG

Trial collection calendar

Click the link below to download the trail area collection calendar.

Collection calendar.PNG

FAQs

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are provided below.

I’m not in the trial area but I want to join. Can I?

It’s great you support weekly green organics, however, we are unable to expand the trail area due to logistical challenges.

If you want to stay updated with the trial, show your support, or would like to volunteer, please contact us.

I’m really supportive of weekly green organics, how can I get involved?

If you are interested in helping promote weekly green organics we would love to have you on board. You can:

  • Talk to your neighbours, friends and family about why you support weekly green organics.
  • Be involved in our promotion to help spread the word. This could be a photo opportunity, interview or short video on why you support weekly organics.

If you are interested in showing your support, please contact us. Please note that opportunities may be limited.

When was this trial endorsed by Council?

Council resolved to conduct this project at the 23 May 2023 Council Meeting.

What if I do not want to be part of the trial?

While most households are ready for this change, some households will need extra support. For example, council can provide a larger landfill bin.

Please contact us to discuss options.

How will the trial be evaluated?

Participant feedback, environmental outcomes and financial implications will be evaluated and provided in a report for Council to consider.

What is FOGO?

FOGO stands for Food Organics Garden Organics. This term is used sometimes used to describe the green organics bin. The City of Burnside opts to call this bin the Green Organics bin, so its name directly conveys the colour of the bin lid and what should be placed in this bin. Thus, the names "Green Organics trial" and "FOGO trial" have the same meaning.

Business FAQs

Are businesses included in the trial?

Yes. The weekly green organics trial includes all properties including businesses and community organisations (eg churches and not-for-profits).

Businesses already using council kerbside bins will have the same opportunities as households to be involved in the trial including the option to upsize your landfill bin. Please contact us to discuss your options.

Our business does not have a green organics bin. Can we order one?

Yes. All businesses in the City of Burnside are entitled to the standard suite of bins (organics, recycling and landfill) if space allows. Please contact us to order bins (subject to eligibility checks).

My business does not require a green organics bin. Will my landfill bin still be collected fortnightly?

Yes. All landfill bins within the trial area will be collected fortnightly. 

I have a number of staff that mange our bins. Can council offer some training support for us to use the bins correctly?

Yes. Our Environmental Sustainability staff can visit your premises to deliver training and support the correct use of bins. Please call us to enquire.

Our business uses a commercial bin collection and not council bins. Can we opt-in to the trial?

Yes. All businesses in the City of Burnside are entitled to the standard suite of bins (organics, recycling and landfill) if space allows. Please contact us to order bins (subject to eligibility checks).