Kitchen food bin

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Residents with a domestic waste service will receive a free kitchen tidy bin to make it easier to separate food waste to put in your green bin.

We also provide compostable cornstarch bags to line your kitchen food bin, and replacements can be ordered and delivered for free.

Food waste in your green bin is processed into compost to reduce landfill.

How to use your kitchen food bin

  1. Line your kitchen bin with one of the council-provided compostable bags. (Alternately you can use paper or newspaper.)
  2. Place all your food waste in your kitchen bin.
  3. When the bag is nearly full, tie it and place it in your green bin. 

What you can put in your kitchen bin

All food scraps can go in your kitchen bin, to be placed in your green bin. This includes:

  • Meat and bones
  • Seafood and prawn shells (excluding oyster shells)
  • Fruit and vegetable scraps
  • Bread
  • Plate scrapings
  • Egg shells

Which bags to use in your kitchen bin?

Only the Council-supplied bags should be used in your kitchen bin. These are made from cornstarch and break down during the composting process. These bags aren’t the same as biodegradable plastic bags, so please don’t use any other bag, regardless of what the label says. Newspaper can also be used to wrap food. 

Ordering compostable bags or a new bin

If JR Richards trucks collect your green organics bin from your kerb each week and you need more compostable bags, you can arrange a new roll to be delivered to your home:

All requests are processed by JR Richards and delivered to your residence between 7 - 10 business days.

 

Tips for using your kitchen bin

  • Keep the lid closed to prevent flies and pests getting in and laying eggs.
  • Keep the bin out of direct sunlight, preferably in a cupboard, to prevent smells and pests.
  • Double wrap meat, bones and unwanted pet food in newspaper to reduce the smell and stop flies.
  • Place meat, prawn shells and similar food scraps in the freezer until collection day, to avoid it smelling.
  • Drain excess liquids from your food scraps before putting them in your kitchen bin.
  • Wash or disinfect the bin regularly, both inside and out.