Halve Waste Initiatives

1. What is Halve Waste?

‘Halve Waste - reduce, reuse, recycle’ is a public awareness and education campaign developed to engage the whole community in efforts to reduce waste and increase recycling in the region.

For more information visit the website www.halvewaste.com.au

Like the Halve Waste Facebook Page 

2. New 3 Bins Collection System 

Greater Hume Council will introduce a new system of waste collection from July 2024 to divert organics away from landfill. A new “3 bin” system will allow food and garden waste to be collected from households. Greater Hume residents will receive three separate 240-litre bins, with organics collected weekly, and recycling and general waste collected fortnightly.

Read more in the FAQs below.

What is the new 3 bin household waste system?

The new 3 bin household waste system allows food and garden waste to be collected, as well as general waste and recycling.

The three bins are:

  • One 240L GREEN LID BIN for organics (garden and food waste)
  • One 240L YELLOW LID BIN for recycling
  • One 240L RED LID BIN for general waste

Where will the new 3 bin system operate?

The new system will begin in Greater Hume in July 2024.

It will include all households currently receiving a domestic waste collection.

When will the 3 bins be collected?

The collection schedule will be:

• WEEKLY collection of 240L organics bin (food organics and garden organics) - Green lid

• FORTNIGHTLY collection of 240L recycling bin – Yellow lid

• FORTNIGHTLY collection of 240L general waste bin – Red lid

Why will I be receiving an organics bin?

You will be receiving an organics bin, for your food scraps and garden matter, to reduce the quantity and content of waste going to landfill. Approximately half the content of the average household rubbish bin is organic material.

Will my garbage charges change?

Every year your garbage charge increases slightly in line with inflation. Next year there is an additional change due to the introduction of an organics bin to every Greater Hume Council household (who currently already have a waste collection service) from July 2024.

More details about these charges will be available closer to the installation of the fees and charges.

What bins do I need for this system?

All households will be provided with a new red lid bin for rubbish, a yellow lid bin for recycling and green lid bin for organics. You will also receive a kitchen caddy and compostable liners about two weeks before the start of the new collections.

Do I have to do anything special to get my bin?

No, the new bins will be delivered with clear instructions and directions for use.

More information about how the system will operate will be provided to you closer to the start date.

What will I be able to put in my green lidded organics bin?

You can put in all your food scraps including fish, meat and bones, coffee grounds and cooked foods. Garden waste such as prunings, grass clippings, sticks, weeds and flowers can also be included.

However, you cannot include things like plastic bin liners, general household waste, treated or laminated timber or old clothing. These need to go in your general waste bin.

How will my general waste (rubbish) bin change?

You will receive a new red lid rubbish bin for general waste and it will be emptied fortnightly instead of weekly. Data from other councils in our region shows that about half of what is currently being put into the red bin could be composted through the organics service, reducing the need to collect the bin every week.

How will I sort food waste from my general household rubbish?

Each household will receive a kitchen tidy bin and compostable liners especially to hold food waste. These liners can then be placed in your new organics bin.

Which other Councils are introducing organic bins?

Six councils in the Murray and Riverina regions – Berrigan, Edward River, Leeton, Greater Hume, Federation and Murrumbidgee - are introducing the organics bin. These six councils all obtained funding to introduce the organics bin through the NSW EPA, Go FOGO Round 1 grant program. They will join Murray River and Albury City in delivering a consistent waste and recycling message across the Murray and Riverina regions.

Can I opt out? I already compost at home!

The new green lid organics bin can be seen as an extension to the great work you’re already doing. And, the new service can accept things that your compost heap or pet may not like – things such as citrus, onions, bones, weeds and diseased and infected fruit or vegetables.

As a community we pay for many services as part of our rates that benefit the community, even if every individual resident may not utilise them. Reducing the pressure on landfill and generating a valuable resource for our region’s agricultural industries helps Council to reduce the cost of landfill space into the future.

How can I find out more information?

You will be provided with detailed information about the new 3 bin system in the lead-up to its introduction.

In the meantime, you can find further information by visiting Halve Waste www.halvewaste.com.au for information about recycling and waste services in our region.