FAQs
- Save space in your weekly BLUE bin.
- Help create valuable compost, and nutrient rich soils for better soil quality and water retention.
- Actively contribute towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts through diverting organic waste away from landfill.
Do all food businesses have to take part in the Gawler Street Food Waste trial?
No, participation in this trial is voluntary. We would love you to join in but understand if you choose not to take part and continue to present your bins as usual.
How is the Gawler Street Food Waste trial being funded?
This trial is fully funded by the Mount Barker District Council.
What are the benefits of putting my food scraps into the green bin?
Using the GREEN bin instead of the BLUE bin has a direct impact on your business’ carbon footprint and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You will also:
Participation in this trial may result in increased flexibility to Council’s current commercial kerbside collection service.
We already compost our food waste in a different way – can we still participate in the trial?
Yes, we encourage you too. Many alternative compost systems do not recommend all food scraps to be composted (such as meat, bones, dairy products). Our green collection service will allow you to compost all of these items as they are taken to be commercially composted at very high temperatures that kill any pathogens.
Do I need to place my food waste into compostable bags?
You do not have to use compostable bags to dispose of your food waste. You can place your food waste loose into the green bin or alternatively wrap in newspaper/paper towel if you wish.
We would struggle to transfer food waste from the kitchen to the green bin, what can we do?
Council can facilitate the transfer of your food waste from the kitchen to the green bin by providing you with a smaller 20L bucket with handles to make this process easier for you. If this is not a feasible option for your business, please contact Greg Sarre, Manager Sustainability and Corporate Planning on 8391 7257 to organize alternative transfer methods.
What happens to the green bins when the Gawler Street Food Waste Trial ends?
The trial will end in April 2022 and we will provide you with results from the trial. You will need to return to the normal collection of your BLUE and YELLOW bin once the trial ends but we will keep you informed regarding any rollout of a permanent GREEN bin collection service.
Where will the contents of my green bin end up?
The contents of your GREEN bin will be transferred to Peats Soil & Garden Supplies in Langhorne Creek to be processed and into a variety of popular Peats manufactured compost, soil and mulch products available at numerous retail outlets across South Australia. Please visit: https://www.peatssoil.com.au/about-peats/ for more information.
Will the collection times of my other bins change?
No, your BLUE and YELLOW bin/s will be collected as per normal. The additional GREEN bin will be collected on a weekly basis.
What happens if my bin gets damaged?
Please contact Council's Maintenance and operations team on 8393 6450 and they will arrange a replacement bin.