Mayor Adrian Weston said as of July 1, food and garden waste was being delivered to Biomix in Stanhope, where it would be composted for use on parks, gardens and farms.
‘‘This is an enormous win for our environment with more than 700 tonnes of food waste expected to be diverted from landfill every year,’’ Cr Weston said.
Those who currently have a green bin will have received a food scrap caddy, delivered by the Vivid Work Crew along with help from local volunteer groups.
‘‘The food scrap caddies are a clean and convenient way to transport kitchen scraps to the green bin,’’ Cr Weston said.
All food scraps can be added to the green bin, including fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells, seafood, meat, bones, dairy products, bread, cereal, pasta and rice as well as all leftover food – cooked and raw.
‘‘It is important to keep all plastic and biodegradable bags out of the green bin. Only Australian standard compostable bags with the AS4736 symbol can be used as they are made with a natural corn starch base and vegetable oils which break down once in a composting environment,’’ Cr Weston said.
Other items that cannot go in the green bin include cling wrap, nappies, baby wipes, makeup wipes, glass, plastics, liquids, and metal (bottle caps, gardening tools, wire, etc).
With food waste making up around 37 per cent of household waste, residents with a medium 140 litre red bin can downsize to a small 80 litre, and save $55 per annum.
Residents in Campaspe Shire townships who do not have a green bin can order one online anytime through council’s website along with the choice of a free food scrap caddy. Alternatively, residents can call council’s customer service centre on 1300666535.
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