West Beach Weekly Organics Trial

Results

West Beach is shared by the Cities of Charles Sturt and West Torrens, of the 757 households that reside in West Torrens, 349 households registered to be part of the trial resulting in a participation rate of 46.1%.

The overall objectives for the Weekly Organic Trial were to:

• Increase food waste recycling
• Reduce material to landfill
• Observe long term behaviour for bin presentation

Results for the trial were captured through surveys, bin monitoring and composition audits for participating and non-participating households in West Beach to allow for data comparison. 

A baseline composition audit was undertaken prior to the launch of the trial as well as at midway and the conclusion of the trial to allow for three points of reference. At each audit, 100 green organics bins and 100 red general waste bins were sampled on a green waste week and on recycling collection week to allow for greater insight into waste behaviour. In total, 700 bins were evaluated during the trial period. The City of West Torrens’ portion of West Beach consists of 757 households.

Participating households were asked to complete a brief survey when registering and were invited to complete a survey near the trial conclusion to provide feedback. Of the 349 participating households 231 completed a survey at the conclusion of the trial.

Presentation rates for red general waste bins decreased by an average of 46.75%, reaching a peak of 48.13% reduced presentation by November 2021. Almost half of the trial participants did not present a red general waste bin weekly for collection. Non-trial households continued to present red general waste bins weekly for collection.

Comparison between trial and non-trial households in West Beach confirmed the success of weekly organics collection where non-participating households demonstrated no significant variation to organics in red general waste bins throughout the trial period. Note: during comingled recycling collection weeks, red general waste bins contained higher levels of organic matter than organics weeks. Composition audits for participating households identified:

• An averaged 60% reduction of food waste in red general waste bins
• An averaged 250% increase in food waste in organics bins

The City of West Torrens considers the information gathered throughout the trial does support the viability of a weekly organics and fortnightly general waste collection.

Thank you for participating in our Trial

The Weekly Organics Trial has been operating in West Beach since February 2021 and will continue until the end of January 2022. During this time, our waste contractor, Solo, has collected green organics bins from registered participants in the area on a weekly basis.

We currently have almost half of all West Beach residents participating in the Trial and we have noted the following key observations:

• Food waste in organics bins from trial participants has increased by 366 per cent
  1. Pre-trial audit: food waste constituted 3 per cent of total green bin contents
  2. August audit: food waste constituted 14 per cent of total green bin contents
     
     
• Food waste in general waste bins from trial participants has decreased by 60 per cent
  1. Pre-trial audit: food waste constituted 15 per cent of total red bin contents
  2. August audit: food waste constituted 6 per cent of total red bin contents
     
     
• Percentage of food waste from households not participating in the trial remains unchanged in red and green bins

We need your feedback!

Thank you for being part of testing a new service model, the results we've gathered so far have exceeded our expectations. As the trial will finish at the end of January 2022, we would really appreciate any feedback you have on the Trial and your experience with it. We aim to publish a final report by April 2022 and we look forward to sharing the results of the Trial with you.

You can provide your feedback using any of the following:

• Online
  Use the online feedback form at the bottom of this page.
  
  
• Post
  Complete the downloadable feedback form or prepare a written submission (including your name and residential address) and mail to:
  'West Beach Organics Trial feedback'
  City of West Torrens
  165 Sir Donald Bradman Drive
  Hilton 5033
  
  
• Email
  Complete the downloadable feedback form or prepare a written submission (including your name and residential address) and email csu@wtcc.sa.gov.au with the subject heading 'West Beach Organics Trial feedback'.

All responses must be received by 5pm Tuesday 7 December 2021. 

 
Additional information 

If you would like to discuss the Trial or have any questions, please contact our Team Leader Waste Management on (08) 8416 6333 or email nteoh@wtcc.sa.gov.au

Council’s use of personal information 

Please note that the City of West Torrens is a public authority which is bound by the Local Government Act 1999, and other relevant legislation, to retain information and to make certain information publicly available. In some instances, this will require Council to publish personal information such as names and addresses of those whose information it holds. If you have any questions regarding the use of your personal information please contact Council on (08) 8416 6333.

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