Food recycling service to create jobs and cut emissions
August 10, 2020
A re-elected ACT Labor Government will create hundreds of new jobs and help Canberrans take further action on climate change by investing in a city-wide food waste collection service for the ACT.
Taking further action on climate change
This is a further important response to climate change which will support the reduction in emissions without putting financial pressure on Canberra households.
This program will ensure that we continue to create new jobs and uphold our commitment to take further action on climate change.
More than a third of ACT residential garbage bin contents are food waste (37%) which currently goes to landfill and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
By managing food waste through a new system, a re-elected ACT Labor Government will reduce the ACT’s emissions from the waste sector by approximately 30%.
Food waste in green bins
Under the proposed scheme, Canberrans will be able to place food waste in their existing green bins along with other garden waste.
To roll out this new service effectively, a re-elected ACT Labor Government will pilot the collection service in 2021 before a full city-wide scheme is put in place.
This will include a mix of households including apartments and townhouses.
By the end of 2023, we will expand to a universal green bin scheme for Canberra.
Kitchen caddies and compostable liners will be provided to all homes.
Apartment complexes will also be part of the scheme and we will work with body corporates on the best way to include them through the pilot.
More jobs for Canberrans
We will also fund the construction of a new large scale in-vessel processing facility to turn Canberra’s food and garden waste into valuable compost.
This service is expected to create up to 200 new jobs across collection, construction and ongoing management of the service.
ACT Labor is experienced, progressive and has a track record of delivering on our promises.
Now more than ever, we need a government that Canberrans can trust to protect local jobs, take real action on climate change and support our economy.