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You can be a champion for composting by learning ways to compost at home and at your business, getting to know the home and industrially compostable logos, knowing what to put in your bins, and calling on councils to take action.

Food waste in landfill produces 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. (source)

When organic matter decomposes in landfill it creates methane, a greenhouse gas around 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide (source).

In Australia, in 2020-21, we sent 2.96 million tonnes of packaging to landfill.

If all this packaging was recycled, we could have reduced Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by about 2.2 million tonnes (source).

But, there’s a simple solution to food and packaging waste:

Composting…

Diverts Waste From Landfill

When food waste in landfill emits methane, it traps heat under the ozone layer and warms up the earth’s climate. By composting and using certified compostable foodservice packaging to carry food waste, we’re taking this waste away from landfill.

Turns Food Into a Nutrient-Rich Resource

Instead of contributing to methane emissions, composting turns food waste and compostable packaging into a beneficial fertiliser that adds nutrients and microorganisms to the soil.

Nurtures Soil for Resilient Systems

Both agricultural systems and natural systems. Compost reduces the need for chemical fertilisers, regenerates depleted soils, restores wetlands and habitats, and contributes to healthy plants.

Reduces the Effects of Climate Change

Not only will emissions from landfill be significantly reduced, but compost captures the carbon content of the organic waste it’s made of. It then stores this carbon in the ground when the compost is applied.

Let’s Champion Composting

Join the composting movement and learn the ways you can turn waste into a nutrient-rich resource.

1. It Starts at Home

Composting at home can be simple, fun and rewarding. There are options to suit big backyards, small spaces, and even apartments. Just choose your bin, learn what you can (and can’t) compost, and you’re on your way.

Watch a Worm Farm Timelapse

Watch the magic of compostable packaging unfold! Here’s a time-lapse of a home-compostable bagasse taco tray and lid breaking down before your eyes.

Sign up to our newsletter for more tips on home composting

2. Businesses Play a Part, Too

Composting presents a huge opportunity for businesses to make a positive difference and work toward their ESG goals. Through Compost Connect, businesses can source compostable packaging, find out if a local composter is available in their area, sign up for a regular bin collection, and start composting their food and packaging waste. If you’re an individual, you can choose to support businesses that use a compost service. 

Sign Up for a Compost Service

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Find Compostable Packaging

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Find a Business Composting

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Join our newsletter for more tips on composting at your business

Watch Industrial Composting in Action

Through cutting-edge recycling technology and partnerships, WRITE Solutions collect organic waste from supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, schools, age care facilities and food processors.
Using a four to eight-week composting process, WRITE Solutions produce premium compost, soils, and mulches for farmers, landscapers, and home gardeners.

3. Look For The Compostable Logos

According to recent research,
ONLY 1 IN 10
Australians recognise and understand the Certified Compostable Logos. Let’s grow these numbers. 

Certified Compostable Packaging plays a vital role in closing the loop on food waste – it makes disposal simple, as both food scraps and packaging can go in the same bin.

Image of the home compostable logo – illustrating the certification type (Home Compostable AS5810) and the spot where the company’s specific license number should go.

If it’s Certified Home Compostable (AS5810), you can throw it in your backyard compost bin.

The industrially compostable logo to Australian standards (AS4736). It is a green circular logo with a seedling with two leaves. There is also a spot where the company’s licence number should go.

If it’s Certified Industrially Compostable (AS4736), you can send it to a commercial compost facility. This includes your FOGO bin if you’re in one of the councils that accept compostable packaging.

The Home (AS5810) and Industrial (AS4736) Compostable Logos issued by the Australia Bioplastics Association are the only source of truth in Australia and New Zealand. You should also look for the company’s sub-licence number stated underneath for proof the item is properly certified.

What is Compostable Packaging?

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Compostable cups, plate and cutlery in green compostable bin liner with food waste

How to Dispose of Compostable Packaging

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Two hands holding up aqueous plastic-free BioCups. They’re black cups with white lids and white writing. The image zooms in on the compostable label, reading ABAP20177.

Compostable Certification Meaning

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4. Do Your Part, Be Bin Smart

In Australia, kerbside bin collection services can vary depending on the council area you live in. Do your part by finding out if your council has a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) collection service – and most importantly, what’s accepted. Right now, 43 councils accept compostable packaging in their residential compost collections and we’re expecting to see this number grow in the near future.

Australian Councils Composting

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What Governments in Australia Are Doing To Support Composting

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Adelaide: Leading The Composting Charge

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5. Demand More From Councils

New research shows that the majority of Australians want to dispose of their packaging correctly, yet logo confusion and a lack of council support remain a challenge. 

Together, we’re calling for better access to composting information, more investment in composting infrastructure, and initiatives to encourage composting. 

Sign the petition if you think your council could be doing more to champion composting – like accepting compostable packaging in FOGO bins

beautiful foggy dawn of the Sun over a huge field of urban garbage, saturated with poisonous fumes of decomposition of organic waste and household chemicals

Adelaide and Jeffries: Showing Us How It’s Done

South Australian councils are showcasing how achievable it is for compostable packaging to be included in green FOGO kerbside bins. A recent report shows that, overall, compostable packaging has had a marginal impact on South Australia’s current organics recovery systems (a finding that addresses many state’s concerns). 

We hope that other state EPAs and councils will follow suit and accept compostable packaging in kerbside FOGO bins – ultimately, this packaging acts as a vehicle to curb food waste.

Compost for Climate

Join the movement today. Here are five ways you can take action.

1. Learn how to compost at home

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2. If you’re a business, see if compost collection is available in your area

3. Recognise the home and industrially compostable logos

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4. Get to know your green bin

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5. Call on councils to take action

Sign the petition if you think your council should be doing more to champion composting – like accepting compostable packaging in FOGO bins.

Compost for Climate Is Inspired by New Research Into Australian Consumer Composting Behaviors

While it’s widely recognised that composting is a way to reduce this food waste problem by turning it into a nutrient-rich resource – there has been very limited research into the average Australian’s views on composting. 

  • Do Australians compost? 
  • Do Australians see the value in it? 
  • And do Australians understand what the composting logos mean?

New research shows that the majority of Australians want to dispose of their packaging correctly, yet logo confusion and a lack of council support remain a challenge. 

Composting Behaviours: Australian Consumer Insights Exploring the attitudes, behaviours and opinions towards compostable packaging and composting.

About

compost connect our story

Compost Connect is a not-for-profit platform committed to education, lifting composting rates, and connecting foodservice businesses to commercial composters. 

At a business level, we help connect business owners to organic waste pick-up services. We have 23 compost partners servicing 2,200+ suburbs across Australia and New Zealand. At an individual level, we make it easy for you to find and support businesses that compost, as well as learn more about the composting options available in your area.

Start Composting Today