Join Us in Making a Difference for Our Community and Our Children’s Future

The Problem with Food Waste in Landfill

Every year, the average Australian household contributes around 300 kilograms of food waste to landfill. This staggering amount means that approximately 35% of the average household bin is filled with food waste. When food waste decomposes in landfill, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is significantly more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. This contributes to global warming and climate change, which pose serious risks to our environment and health.

Additionally, food waste in landfill is a missed opportunity. Organic waste can be turned into valuable compost, which can enrich our soil, support local agriculture, and even help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.

Success Stories: Other Sydney Suburbs Leading the Way

Many suburbs across Sydney have already implemented successful food waste bin programs. Councils in these areas provide residents with dedicated food waste bins, which are collected separately from general waste. This has not only significantly reduced the amount of waste sent to landfill but also promoted a more sustainable lifestyle.

For example, suburbs like Randwick, Waverley, and Woollahra have embraced food waste recycling. Residents in these areas have participated actively in the programs, leading to cleaner communities and a more engaged, environmentally conscious populace. These programs show that with the right infrastructure and community support, we can make a substantial positive impact.

Our Personal Experience

As parents of two young children, it breaks our hearts to dispose of food waste in the general landfill bin, knowing the negative impact this has on our environment and the future our children will inherit. Having recently moved from Adelaide, where food waste bins have been a staple for years, we have experienced firsthand the benefits of such a system and were shocked to discover there was no such system in place in one of the most progressive and environmentally conscious suburbs in Australia. 

In Adelaide, separating food waste was a simple part of our daily routine, and it greatly reduced the amount of waste in our general bins. Even with two young children we only needed to have our red bin emptied once a month. This experience and the shock of losing such an ingrained habit (much like the soft plastics debacle) has motivated us to push for similar changes here in our new hometown.

Response from Northern Beaches Council

We have called and emailed Northern Beaches Council, and they have continually indicated that they have no immediate plans to implement a food waste bin program due to a lack of community demand. Here are some relevant excerpts from their written response:

"The NSW Government’s Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy states that the NSW Government will require the separate collection of food from all NSW households by 2030. Council already collects garden vegetation separately in green lid bins. Council is currently comprehensively reviewing the feasibility of a range of options to recover food waste (as well as other materials) from the domestic red-lid bin... Some Councils have started collecting food in the vegetation bins, which is one potential solution, however there are others also"

Why We Need Your Support

Introducing food waste bins in Manly is not just about waste management; it's about taking responsibility for our environment and setting a positive example for our children. By signing this petition, you are joining a movement to create a cleaner, greener Manly. 

If the council does not implement these changes until 2030, Manly will contribute approximately 11,422.8 tonnes of food waste to landfill over the next six years.

This calculation is based on current average food waste statistics and assumes no significant changes in population or household behaviour. Reducing this amount through a food waste bin program could have substantial environmental benefits.

Your support can help us fast track this change, showing the Northern Beaches Council that our community is united and we want to use our council rates towards this positive step forward.

How You Can Help

Sign the Petition: Add your name to our petition to show your support.
Spread the Word: Share this campaign with your friends, family, and neighbors. The more voices we have, the stronger our message.
Together, we can make a significant difference. Let’s work towards a more sustainable Manly for ourselves and for future generations.

Sign the petition today and be part of the change!

 

With Love, Miles and Bing Rowland

Addison Road, Manly NSW 2095

 

 
Sources:

NSW Government’s Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy
CSIRO’s Food Waste in Australia Report
Australian Government’s National Food Waste Strategy
FoodWise's Food Waste Facts