From leftovers to lawn clippings, 62 percent of what Griffith sends to landfill could be turned into valuable compost, highlighting a major opportunity for the community to cut waste.
This figure is based on the most recent assessment of the general waste stream carried out by EnviroCom for Griffith City Council in 2024 and is made up of 33 percent garden waste and 16 percent food waste.
These figures represent a major point of resource loss for the Griffith community and, although high, are reflective of nation-wide trends around food and garden organic waste. It is estimated that over 90 percent of all food waste in Australia is being sent to landfill, with food waste from Australian households reaching an annual national total of approximately 2.5 million tonnes.
When organic material is sent to landfill it breaks down anaerobically, meaning it decomposes without oxygen. Aside from taking much longer to break down in this environment, the organic material sent to landfill also produces methane, a harmful greenhouse gas that is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. With food waste accounting for three percent of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions annually, as food and garden waste continue to fill our landfills, it is more important than ever to rethink our attitude toward leftovers and food waste toward organics at home.
How can you help? Before heading to the grocery store, remember to check what you have available in the pantry, fridge, and freezer. Most Australians admit to purchasing more than they need while grocery shopping, so remembering to bring along a tailored list prevents doubling-up on perishable items and makes it more likely that things already in the fridge and pantry will be used before their expiry. If you're struggling to find meal inspiration, why not try one of the many apps available that generate recipes based on the ingredients you currently have in your fridge and pantry?
By keeping these simple planning steps in mind and taking care with the way food products are stored and labelled at home, the Australian Government estimates that the average Australian family could save $2,500 on their annual grocery bill. This makes meal planning a great way to save money while helping the planet.
Another key impact of organic waste being sent to landfill is the significant resource loss. Organic waste has the potential to be transformed into other useful, sustainable compost products that increase the health of our ground soils, aid water retention, and increase soil productivity. Worm farms and home composting systems are fantastic waste reduction avenues, while households with limited space would benefit from a bokashi benchtop composting system or small compost tumbler.
The best way to address the issue of organic waste being sent to landfill is to plan ahead and limit the production of food waste wherever possible, and to consider alternative means of disposal for the food and garden waste we do produce.
Together, we can reduce the rate of organic waste sent to landfill in Griffith! And remember, every bite counts.
The introduction of a FOGO bin service has been mandated by Parliament, with Council's Landfill FOGO Committee exploring options of providing a FOGO service to Griffith residents within the next few years.
