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Organic Waste Services Guide

Organic waste services are designed to collect food scraps and garden waste separately from general rubbish. By recycling organics into compost or renewable energy, businesses can cut landfill costs and reduce environmental impact. This guide explains what can and can’t go in, bin options, and best practices.

✅ What Can Go in Organic Waste Bins

  • Food waste – fruit, vegetables, bread, rice, meat, fish, dairy, and leftovers

  • Garden waste – grass clippings, leaves, small branches, weeds, and flowers

  • Compostable paper products – napkins, tissues, and paper towels (not heavily soiled with chemicals)

  • Coffee grounds and tea bags

  • Certified compostable packaging – liners and containers that meet AS 4736 or AS 5810 standards

❌ What Cannot Go in Organic Waste Bins

  • Plastic bags and wrappers – unless they are certified compostable with the correct logo

  • Glass, metals, and rigid plastics – belong in commingled recycling bins

  • Liquids – such as soups, oils, and milk

  • Hazardous waste – paints, chemicals, or solvents

  • Large or treated timber – not suitable for organic recycling streams

Bin Sizes and Options

  • Rear lift bins – 240L, 660L, and 1,100L wheelie bins, ideal for offices, cafés, and restaurants

  • Front lift bins – 1.5m³, 3.0m³, and 4.5m³ bins for high-volume sites like hotels, schools, and supermarkets

  • Flexible pickup schedules – daily to fortnightly, depending on waste volumes

Household Context

Households typically have a green-lid bin (FOGO: Food Organics & Garden Organics) provided by their council. For businesses, Waster’s services offer larger bins and tailored pickups to handle higher food and garden waste volumes.

Business Benefits

  • Lower waste costs – organics bins reduce pressure on general waste bins (which have higher landfill fees)

  • Environmental responsibility – food and garden waste is diverted from landfill to compost or energy recovery

  • Cleaner bins – separating food scraps keeps general waste bins cleaner and less odorous

  • Compliance – helps businesses meet sustainability targets and regulations

Quick Reference

Accepted Not Accepted
Food scraps & leftovers Plastic bags & wrappers (unless compostable)
Garden clippings & leaves Glass, metals, hard plastics
Coffee grounds & tea bags Liquids like oils and soups
Compostable packaging & liners Hazardous chemicals
Napkins, tissues, paper towels Large or treated timber

Best Practices Summary

  1. Use compostable bin liners instead of plastic bags.

  2. Keep liquids and contaminants out of organics bins.

  3. Train staff to separate food scraps from packaging.

  4. Choose bin sizes and pickup frequency that match your business needs.

Conclusion: Turn Organics Into a Resource

Organic waste services help businesses reduce landfill costs and recycle food and garden waste into valuable resources. By using these bins correctly, your site will be cleaner, more sustainable, and better aligned with environmental goals.

👉 Check out Waster’s Organic Food Waste bin options today in our online shop.