Bin there, checked that

The Barossa Council is partnering with KESAB for a research project aimed at supporting a more environmentally sustainable future.

With a strong focus on education, the initiative sets out to discover what might encourage residents to use the green organics bin for all compostable materials, especially food waste.

Mayor Bim Lange said don’t be alarmed when you see a KESAB Resource Recovery Educator occasionally looking in bins when the 11-month project, cofunded by Green Industries SA, launches in August.

“They’ll be looking in a sample of 200 kerbside bins in the Barossa, both red landfill and green organics, to see whether food scraps are making it into the green organics bin,” said Mayor Lange.

“They’ll do this four times at the same properties for the duration of the program which runs until 30 June next year. Only bins already out on the kerbside awaiting collection will be looked in and they’ll still be emptied on the same day. The KESAB educators won’t go onto anyone’s property.”

Bins that have been looked in will be tagged and additional information placed in the householder’s letterbox.

“There will be no penalties or removal of kerbside services,” assured Mayor Lange.

Green organics bins were first made mandatory in selected townships in July 2021.

Last financial year about 2,900 tonnes of green bin material was diverted to Jefferies Soils where it was processed into nutrient-rich compost used to nourish gardens, open spaces, and farms growing our food.

“It’s a great example of the circular economy in action,” Mayor Lange said.

When food scraps go into the red bin instead of the green one, a valuable resource is wasted.

At the end of the program, all observations and information will be collated, with locations kept confidential. KESAB will then produce a report for Council to help inform future waste and recycling education.

“We think there is still more food waste slipping into the red landfill bin that could go into the green organics bin instead, and we’re sure we can do better,” Mayor Lange said.

“That’s why we are looking forward to seeing the results of this research.”

For more information and answers to frequently asked questions, go to “Bin there, checked that” or call Council on (08) 8563 8444.