Ipswich Council Considers Pausing Food Waste Collection Amid Rising Composting Costs

In a move aimed at addressing odour issues and rising composting costs, the Ipswich City Council‘s Environment and Sustainability Committee will deliberate on a proposal to pause the collection of food scraps in green-lidded bins. This proposal comes ahead of anticipated changes to Queensland’s environmental standards for composting.

Mayor Teresa Harding highlighted the council’s proactive stance, emphasizing the community’s role in advocating for significant changes in organic composting to mitigate odour problems. “Council and our community have been fierce advocates for significant change in organics composting to mitigate odour issues being experienced by our residents.

As a result, we are now seeing changes coming to the fore and the potential impacts this may have on the industry,” she stated.

The council is contemplating the continuation of its garden organics collection service while pausing the food organics service.

This consideration follows proposed legislative changes by the Queensland Government, which would classify food organics as a “highly odorous” material, imposing stricter regulations on composting operators.

Mayor Harding noted that the estimated cost of a sustainable Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) program has significantly increased due to the lack of enclosed composting facilities and higher state-imposed standards.

“The estimated cost for council to deliver a sustainable FOGO program would now be three or four times higher than previously projected,” she added.

Despite the proposed pause in food organics collection, the council’s garden waste service will continue and expand next year as part of a three-bin service. Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Jim Madden assured that the change would be clearly communicated to residents.

He emphasized the importance of pausing the program as a responsible measure to address community concerns and ensure long-term improvements.

“Council will be investigating alternative options to help the community sustainably manage Food Organics to fill the gap until we are confident we can sustainably deliver this part of the program,” Cr Madden said.

If endorsed at the Environment and Sustainability Committee meeting on June 11, the recommendation will proceed to the Ordinary Council meeting on June 20 for further consideration.

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