Exploring the introduction of a Food & Organics Waste Collection Service with the Parramatta community

City of Parramatta

Food and Garden Organics Workshop Series

As of 2022, food waste makes up almost half of the material (by weight) in the City of Parramatta’s general waste bins.

Food and Garden Organic (FOGO) waste includes meat, bones, bread and dairy scraps as well fruit and vegetable waste. These scraps are currently placed in the red-lidded general waste bin and sent to landfill, where it degrades and produces harmful greenhouse gases.

Adopting a target to divert 85% of waste from landfill by 2038, City of Parramatta Council is exploring the transition to a FOGO waste collection service, which will align with the NSW Government’s recent mandate that all households transition to a FOGO waste collection service by 2030.

Following an initial online survey undertaken by Council, Cred Consulting was engaged to conduct community and stakeholder engagement in April 2022, to inform and consult with the community about the proposed introduction of a FOGO waste collection service.

 

Services
  • Engagement
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How we did it

Consultation aimed to further explore community preferences and acceptance levels for a FOGO waste service, reach groups who were underrepresented in the online survey, educate and answer questions on the proposed FOGO service, address concerns, and confirm with participants the most preferred FOGO option.

Cred designed and delivered a series of six workshops with residents and Strata Managers in the City of Parramatta, consisting of two online community workshops, three face-to-face community workshops and an online workshop with strata managers.

 

The outcome

Participants consistently indicated their preference for introducing an environmentally sustainable option, as it reduces the amount of waste going to landfill.

When separated from the general waste at the household level and collected separately, these materials can be processed into compost and used to improve the soils in parks, sports fields and farms. Not only is this good for the environment, but it can also reduce disposal costs.

Cred analysed data from all workshops and prepared a comprehensive engagement report on the findings, alongside a series of recommendations for Council to consider.