Options for Kerbside Collection of Household Organic Wastes

Acknowledgements

Executive Summary

1 Introduction

2 Issues to Consider When Selecting Kerbside Organic Waste-Collection Systems

3 Assessing and Comparing Organic Waste Collection Systems

4 Conclusions

Appendix 1: Kerbside Kitchen Waste Collections in New Zealand

Appendix 2: Overseas Kerbside Kitchen Waste Collections

References

Executive Summary

Separating organic waste at the household level provides many benefits, including:

• the recovery of a resource (organic material) from the waste stream
• diversion of organic material from landfill and wastewater systems
• the reduction of leachate and landfill gas emissions through having less organic material in landfills
• the creation of compost to return humus and nutrients to the soil.

This paper assesses existing kerbside organic waste collections, both in New Zealand and overseas, and identifies matters for territorial authorities to consider before implementing a collection of this nature. In particular, issues that need to be considered when selecting kerbside organic waste collection systems include:

• the household organic waste diversion targets to be met
• the type of waste to be collected
• whether bags or bins will be used, and which size is appropriate
• the capacity and type of waste treatment facilities available
• the capital and operating costs of the collection system
• any operational constraints (eg, health and safety considerations, multi-tenanted dwellings)
• the markets for the compost produced
• the frequency of collection (eg, climate considerations)
• the ability to monitor the system (eg, through household surveys, waste audits)
• householder co-operation
• convenience
• whether the scheme will be voluntary or compulsory.

The kerbside organic waste-collection system that is appropriate for a particular municipality depends on what type of organic waste is to be collected and what type of treatment facility will be used for producing compost. Local conditions will also affect the choice of kerbside organic waste collection system (eg, climate), and therefore trialling a system before full-scale implementation is generally recommended.

Information about kerbside organic waste-collection systems is summarised in Tables 1 and 2 to provide councils with a way to assess and compare the advantages and disadvantages of different systems.

The case studies presented in this paper show that carefully implemented kerbside organic waste collection systems should be successful. They also provide evidence that kerbside collections of organic waste, if carefully managed, have high participation rates and achieve good rates of organic waste diversion. Consideration of market issues is also an important factor in the selection of kerbside organic waste-collection systems.