The NSW Government has legislated that all councils are to provide residents with a food waste collection service by 2030 – a big and exciting change for all households.
Such a big change requires a considered implementation and on the Northern Beaches we are taking a staged approach, starting with a two-phased pilot program of around 3,000 households.
Phase 1 – green bin
Phase 1 of the pilot ran from late October 2025 to March 2026 in selected streets of Cromer and Dee Why with a mix of houses and units.
Instead of adding their food waste to the red bin, phase 1 pilot residents were provided with a kitchen caddy and compostable liners and asked to separate their food waste. They added it to the green bin with their garden waste, and it was turned into compost for agriculture and other uses.
331 tonnes of food and garden waste was collected during the pilot and Council will use the experience shared by the residents in planning for the future service.
Phase 2 – burgundy bin
Phase 2 of the pilot will run from late April to September 2026 in selected streets of Terrey Hills, Manly Vale and Fairlight with a mix of houses and units. Check to see if your household is in the pilot area:
Phase 2 pilot residents will be asked to place their food waste in a new burgundy bin. They will be provided with a kitchen caddy, burgundy lid bin and compostable liners and asked to separate their food waste. The food in the burgundy bin will be turned into compost and feedstock for agriculture and other uses.
The new burgundy bin will be collected weekly on their usual collection day, with all other collections remaining the same.
Pilot residents will be contacted directly advising they are in the pilot area. If you are unsure whether you are in the pilot area, please check the maps above or call Customer Service on 1300 434 434.
Benefits
On the Northern Beaches almost half of the contents of the red bin is food waste. Recycling food waste not only creates compost and feedstock for agriculture and other uses but also diverts this waste from landfill which reduces potent greenhouse gas emissions and extends the life of landfill sites.
A new service for the whole area
We are working towards meeting the NSW government mandate to introduce a new service for all residents by 2030.
The pilot will inform the design of the new service and ensure it meets the unique characteristics and needs of the Northern Beaches area.
Reduce your food waste now
There are lots of ways you can reduce the amount of food waste going to landfill now:
- see the tips and links on the food waste page
- attend a composting or worm farm workshop at Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre (and take up the offer of a $90 voucher toward the purchase of a worm farm or compost bin).
- contribute to your local community garden (contact the garden first to check whether they are currently accepting food scraps.)
- plan your meals, shop to a list, use up leftovers and store food wisely