Council joins forces with local business to reduce landfill

A City of Mount Gambier food waste trial conducted in partnership with 19 local businesses has diverted more than 200 tonnes of organic waste from landfill during the past three years.

Council began the trial in August 2021, jointly funded by Green Industries Council Modernisation Grants to encourage participating businesses to collect food waste in 660 litre skip bins. The waste was then collected by a local contractor on a weekly basis and composted at Bio Gro.

City of Mount Gambier sustainability officer Aaron Izzard said the objective of the trial was to see if the collection system suited food businesses, and to enable them to divert large amounts of food waste away from landfill, as food waste creates methane and leachate which pollutes the environment.

Red Rooster, Wild Ginger, Southern Thai Café, The Tuck Shop, Lima & Co, Confessions, Mount Gambier Hospital, Natural Born Grillers, Brew Coffee Bar, Copenhagen, Presto Eatery, Casa de Tequila, The Road House, RSL, Mount Gambier Hotel, South Eastern Hotel, Park Hotel, Paradise Pizza and Commercial Hotel participated in the trial.

“We went from five to 19 businesses participating in the trial and towards the end, almost 1.5 tonnes of food waste was collected each week,” Mr Izzard said.

“It was a great success and resulted in more than 200 tonnes of food waste being diverted from Caroline Landfill until 30 June 2024.”

The service has now transitioned to a commercial arrangement between the food businesses involved and the associated contractors.

Council will continue to provide dedicated organics kitchen bins to participating businesses, and one supply of compostable bags per business per year.