Thousands of Aussies will receive an additional household bin aimed at tackling food waste. A new burgundy wheelie bin will be trialled in Sydney suburbs as councils continue their efforts to reduce household and food scraps ending up in landfill.
Until now, many residents have been using a green-lid FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) bin dedicated to food scraps and garden waste as part of a NSW Government recycling initiative. By 2030, all councils will be required to collect and recycle kitchen waste.
But as councils grapple with the looming deadline, some are desperate for a solution.
The current FOGO system has proved problematic in some areas. Many residents have complained of smelly, overflowing bins as changes to collection frequency take hold across the state, forcing some councils to backflip on bin collection plans.
Sydney’s Northern Beaches Council will now trial the collection of food waste only, as Phase 2 of their waste management plans commences. Phase 1 saw 1,700 households in Cromer and Dee Why collecting their food waste in a small caddy bin and adding it to their kerbside green bin along with their garden waste.
Now there will be a dedicated burgundy “food waste only” wheelie bin trialled, with garden organics kept separate. A similar initiative has been rolled out by the City of Sydney council.
At the end of the trial, the council will assess which system is most appropriate for collecting food waste for recycling.
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The burgundy bin is designed for food scraps only and has already been trialled by the City of Sydney. Source: City of Sydney via Daily Telegraph
Major change to household waste services
1200 households in Terrey Hills, Fairlight and Manly Vale have been selected to participate in the trial, which will run for 20 weeks from 21 April to 2 September 2026.
Residents will receive a wheelie bin and a kitchen caddy. It’s not clear how often the bins will be collected.
It will be the fifth wheelie bin for Northern Beaches residents who already have red (general waste), blue (paper and cardboard), yellow (bottles and containers) and green (garden waste) bins.
Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said the move is “one of the most significant changes to household waste services in decades”.
The new burgundy bin is specifically for food waste, including leftovers, fruit and vegetables, dairy products, meat, small bones, tea bags and coffee grounds.
It is not to be used for garden organics, such as branches or grass, or large bones from food sources, including oyster or mussel shells.
“We’re committed to getting it right for the Northern Beaches,” Mayor Heins said this week ahead of the rollout this month.
“Early results from Phase 1 show our community is willing to embrace new ways of reducing waste, and that’s incredibly encouraging.
“This next stage will help us understand what works best for our diverse community—whether you live in a large home, granny flat or unit block.
“The lessons we learn now will shape a service that is practical, effective and environmentally responsible.”
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