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Food Waste Pilots – the story so farJustin Lang, Program Manager – Local Government, ZWSA

LGA / WMA Breakfast 17 November 2008

Once upon a time in a land far away…• There lived a princes

trapped in a kitchen…

• People in her village had no idea of what to put in their GO bin

• But then along came the GO

contamination wkg grp

Source separated food organicsBurnside Trial

• September 2005 to April 2006

• Green organics collection, monthly to fortnightly

• food organics popular

• achieved 64.6% kerbside diversion

• potential for greater diversion from landfill (GO Bin ownership, increase participation)

Source separated food organics

Business Case (undertaken by John Comrie ‘06) suggests

• costs $15-16/hh/annum to add food waste to 3 bin system

• reduces to marginal saving if waste collected fortnightly

http://www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au/pdf/reports/food_waste_collection_business_case.pdf

Further business case to be undertaken – from pilots.

Why Pilots?

To identify:• Costs and savings (compared

with existing 3 bin system)

• Diversion from landfill & participation

• Yields and capacity in each kerbside bin

Why Pilots?

To identify:

• Contamination rates (recycling and organic bins)

• Effectiveness of communication material

• Community attitudes

Image area

Overview of Council EOIs

Councils proposing weekly collection of residual

Adelaide City Council Incl MUD’s / hi rise

Campbelltown Weekly versus fortnightly comparison

Charles Sturt Reviewing two different containers

Light Regional Council Compare 2 different townships (demographics: young families, older area)

Mitcham Joint submission by East Waste w C/town

Whyalla Reviewing two different containers as well as testing two areas (contamination)

West Torrens Demographics, communication

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Overview of Council EOIs

Councils proposing fortnightly collection of residual

Campbelltown (940 dwlgs) Comparison also with weekly

Mallala (850 dwlgs) Currently f/nightly 240L

Norwood, Payneham & St Peters

1,000 dwellings (2 areas) alternating presentations

Wattle Range (Millicent f/n 4,150 dwellings, fluctuating populations (tourist destinations)

Who else is involved

Collectors• East Waste

• Solo Resource Recovery

• Cleanaway

• Mastec Collection Systems

• Veolia

Processors• Jeffries

• Van Schaiks

• Peats

After 7 Days

Testing decomposition: 6 Samples

After 28 Days

Testing decomposition: 6 Samples

Audits - Complex and critical

• Councils nominate areas / demographics;

• Numerous samples (seven councils

had 2 samples, 1 x 3, 1 x 4, 1 x 6);

• Visual analysis – dwelling type,

chronological list and digital photos,

notes on contents, capacity analysis;

• 3 streams, 100 bins, presentation rates;

• Audit facilities & checklist for Councils.

Kerbside Audits

• Demographics (population, no. per h/hold, dwlg type)– Traditional dwelling– Semi-detached– Maisonette (1950’s SAHT)– MUD (Units)– Row dwellings/townhouse– Rural Living (over 3,000m2)

Where 5% or more

• Representative versus random sampling

• Revisit & seasonal issues

Kerbside Audits

• Bin condition (potential)

• Contamination item count and weight

• Incidence of contamination

• Composition analysis (site specific / truck level)

• Presentation ratesWaste …………….. 95%Recyclables ……… 86%Green Organics …. 52%

Image area• Initial support from Zero Waste SA to implement systems to divert more compostable material. To learn together, and share findings;

• In a pilot, potential to: review participation, diversion, contamination, bin ownership, rate of uptake* satisfaction levels, assess economies of full-scale implementation, capacities (bin and collection rounds);

Opportunities

Image area Specific attributes of a successful system (weekly versus

fortnightly), Presentation of residual bins - collection with alternating

bins (green organics versus recyclables); Assessment of increased diversion (incl. recyclables); Extent, severity and incidence of contamination; Three strikes policy – keeping recyclables and green

organics clean. Options for large households – user pays for extra MGB?

Nuances of a system – and management

Cost sharing framework for pilot

• Kitchen receptacles/bins for food waste

• Compostable bags (150 bags / household)

• Kerbside audits – all three streams (2 per council) & report

• Market research - survey (representative sample / pilot) & report

• Development of template communication materials

Zero Waste SA is funding:

Cost sharing framework for pilot

• Communication with residents in pilot areas

• Negotiating with collection contractors and processors

And are funding:

• Production of communication materials

• Delivery of containers (and compostable bags) to households

Councils are responsible for:

Pilot brochures…

• Key messages :– Frequency of collections– Place material in GO Bin– 50% of residual stream is

organic– System will help divert up

to 75% of residential waste– Uses images, icons, KISS– As easy as one, two,

three…

Image area• Performance criteria (contract conditions):

• Performance based: success thresholds and intervention levels;

• Intention to maintain pilots (for up to 2 years) with potential to expand with further support;

• Repayment events;

• Feedback on containers;

• Communication material – development of clear, common messages and enjoy efficiencies;

Local Government feedback

Fortnightly Waste - Issues

• Need for a trial of fortnightly 140L waste bin

• Perception – not enough capacity in waste bin

• Expected to force more organics and recyclables into other bins (hence improved diversion from landfill)

• Effect on contamination - green organics and dry recyclables?

The 10 pilots will contribute to a broader body of work:

• Audits: systems, diversion, contamination, yields

• Market research: user satisfaction

• Cost/benefit analysis of each system

• Capacity analysis (visual analysis by audits), tonnes per truck

• Option later for Councils to change systems with support

Following final assessment, reports will be available at www.zerowaste.sa.gov.au

Conclusion