Food scraps recycling is coming to Brimbank.
From 1 July this year, residents who use Council's optional green waste service (light green lid bin) will be able to add food scraps to this bin along with their garden clippings.
Food organics make up about 50% of waste in garbage bins and ends up in landfill – which is bad for the environment. When food breaks down in landfill it produces methane, a harmful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
However, when you add food to your green waste bin it can be turned into mulch and compost. This compost is used to enrich soil on farms, parks and gardens.
There is no additional charge for residents to add food waste in their green waste bin, and no changes to when green waste bins are collected.
The types of food waste accepted in green waste bins includes fruit and vegetable scraps, meat and bones, seafood, dairy products, egg shells, bread, pasta, rice, coffee grounds and loose leaf tea.
Don't place any type of plastic, paper, animal droppings, kitty litter, coffee pods, nappies, or liquids in this bin. These items will contaminate your waste, and it will not be able to be turned into mulch or compost.
Visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/greenwaste to learn more about Council's food and garden organics service, and the types of things that can and can't go in your green waste bin.
Quotes to be attributed to Brimbank Mayor Cr Jasmine Nguyen:
"Victorian households throw out about 250,000 tonnes worth of food each year– which is enough to fill Melbourne's Eureka Tower.
"Adding food scraps to our green waste bins is one easy way we can all reduce our individual carbon footprint, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and live more sustainably. If you haven't already got a green waste bin, why not look into it now?"
