WHAT'S WITH THE PLASTIC BAGS?

The contents of your green lidded organics bins are processed into high quality compost and garden mulch. By disposing of garden waste and food scraps in the green lidded bin, you are contributing to a healthier environment, and reducing waste to landfill.

One of the worst things that can happen in the organics processing, is having plastic bags and plastic film processed with the garden waste and food scraps.

The first stage of the greenwaste processing involves shredding the contents before it is placed into composting bays. When a plastic bag goes through the shredder, it is ripped into many small pieces, and impossible to remove. These plastic pieces can mean an entire load of compost is wasted.

Buying or using 'compostable' or 'biodegradable' plastic bags is a responsible choice - however they still should not be disposed of in the green bin. Dispose of these in your red lidded bin, and they will still break down.

So we ask just a small favour - please keep plastic bags and wrap out of your green lidded bin.

What happens to your organics and greenwaste?

Check out this YouTube video to see how your organics are processed into high quality compost.

Your Green Bin

Collected weekly, your green lidded organics bin is only for organic waste. This means food scraps, garden waste and grass clippings. Soiled paper such as tissues and paper towel are also acceptable. This waste is turned into high quality compost which is widely used by home gardeners and commercial landscapers, farmers and gardeners on the Coffs Coast.

Chances are, that if you purchase locally grown produce, flowers or turf; it has been grown using compost from your green bin.

These items DO go in your green bin:

Food scraps such as fruit and vege scraps, bones, seafood shells, coffee grinds, tea bags and tea leaves, egg shells, spoiled yoghurt, cream or cheese
Garden clippings like grass clippings, small branches, sticks, leaves, flowers
Small UNTREATED and UNPAINTED timber off-cuts
Soiled paper such as paper towel, tissues, newspaper

These items DO NOT go in your green bin:

Soil and rocks
Large or thick branches, logs (as a general guide, anything thicker than your arm does not belong in your green bin)
Treated timber
Timber furniture or toys
Plastic of any kind
Compostible bags. These are now widely available from supermarkets and other stores; however our processing facility DOES NOT accept these bags.
Nappies

If your organics bin is over 80 kilos in weight, our trucks are unable to lift it. Generally, if you follow the above guidelines, there will be no problems. If however, you find that your bin has not been collected for this reason, contact us on the hotline.

Hints and tips

Place garden clippings in your green bin before anything else. This will help line the bottom of the bin
Wrap all your food scraps in newspaper, or make your own ORIGAMI organics bin liner
Freeze seafood and meat scraps until collection day
You can sprinkle some bi carb soda in the bottom of your green bin after it has been emptied, this will help absorb odours

Kitchen Organics Bin

Each household was given a small kitchen organics bin when the organics service first commenced. If you do not have one of these bins, try reusing an ice cream container or small bucket. The origami organics bin liner is also useful for lining these containers, and is just another way you can recycle.

Additional kitchen organics bins are available for purchase at $15 each. Contact us on 1800 265 495, email us with the form provided or drop into our offices at 25 Englands Road, Coffs Harbour.

If you have just moved to the Coffs Coast region, or into a new home that does not have a kitchen organics bin, or, if you do not have all three 240 litre wheelie bins, please contact us on 1800 265 495, email us, or visit our offices at 25 Englands Road, Coffs Harbour.