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

4 Conclusions

There is plenty of evidence that kerbside collection of organic waste is feasible and, if carefully managed, will have high participation and high organic waste-diversion rates.

The kerbside organic waste-collection system that is appropriate for a particular municipality depends on what type of organic waste is collected, and what type of treatment facility will be used for final compost production. Local conditions will also affect the choice, so trialling a system before full-scale implementation is generally recommended. Another option is a staged roll-out of the collection system.

Consideration of market issues is also an important factor in the selection of kerbside organic waste collection systems. These include the cost of the collection, how an organic waste collection would affect existing green-waste collection contractors, and the end-product qualities required by the market, particularly with respect to contamination.