Food scraps make up a large portion of household waste sent to landfill each week, yet they are one of the most valuable materials residents can keep out of the red bin.
Council is encouraging households to rethink how they manage food scraps, with the clear message that food scraps are too good for landfill.
When food scraps and other organic materials end up in landfill they break down without oxygen and produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
Methane in landfills needs to be carefully managed as its presence can cause serious environmental, health and safety problems.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said reducing the amount of organic materials which end up in landfill mitigated these risks and by adopting some simple habits residents could make a big difference.
“Food scraps might seem small, but when they go to landfill, they create a big environmental impact,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“By keeping food scraps out of general rubbish, residents are helping reduce emissions, extend the life of landfill sites and support better waste outcomes for our whole community.”
Simple everyday actions can make a real difference, including planning meals, storing food properly and using leftovers before throwing food away.
Mayor Blackburn said reducing food waste also benefited households.
“Wasting food means wasting money.
“Planning ahead, using what you buy and knowing how to dispose of food scraps correctly can help households save on grocery bills while doing the right thing for the environment.”
For unavoidable food scraps such as peels, cores and spoiled food, residents are encouraged to use the most appropriate disposal options available, helping turn organic material into valuable resources rather than burying it in landfill.
“Residents can also consider composting at home so they can take advantage of the nutrient rich food scraps for healthier gardens,” Mayor Blackburn said.
This message reinforces Council’s broader waste education campaign: Be smart. Be safe. Be seen.
Small habits, when adopted by many, can deliver long term benefits for the environment and the community.
This initiative supports a national effort run by End Food Waste Australia called The Great Unwaste.
Residents are reminded that every small action counts and keeping food scraps out of landfill is one simple step anyone can take today.
For more information visit bundaberg.qld.gov.au.
Would there be any consideration of re-implementing the FOGO/green waste bin collection system that was trialled a couple of years ago? It would be great to have a community-based system for composting along with a compost product that could be made available to community.