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In the
kitchen

  • all fruit and vegetable scraps and peelings
  • cooked foods, leftovers and plate-scrapings
  • bones, seafood and shells
  • coffee grinds, tea bags and tea leaves
  • eggshells
  • bread, pastries, cakes and biscuits
  • rice, grains, cereals and noodles
  • dairy products
  • onions, garlic and citrus peels
  • cut flowers
  • newspapers

All your food scraps can go in the green bin

Make it easy with a kitchen caddy

Find out where you can collect your FREE Kitchen Caddy here!

Having a kitchen caddy to collect your scraps makes it easy to get your food scraps from the kitchen to the green bin. A kitchen caddy is a small container you can keep on the kitchen bench or in the cupboard where food scraps can be separated from general waste. The kitchen caddy can then be emptied directly into the green bin.

Or you can use any container with a lid, for example an empty ice-cream or large yoghurt container. Look for one with a handle to make it even easier. Get creative and reuse something rather than buying new!

  • Line your caddy with paper or newspaper to soak up soggy food and liquids
  • Don’t have a caddy? Wrap your food scraps in newspaper or a paper bag to reduce mess and odours
  • Freeze seafood and meat scraps until collection day to reduce odours, flies and vermin
  • If you use your caddy unlined, simply wash or wipe it out after emptying
  • If you have a Council-issued kitchen caddy, it is dishwasher safe. Simply remove the lid to prevent the label from fading

Did you know that one in five shopping bags of food ends up in the bin? What a waste!Join the free online Food Smart program to save money, make the most of the food you buy, help local farmers and help the environment.

You’ll discover tips, tricks and recipes to help you:

 

Avoid food waste in the first place

  • Empty your kitchen caddy at least every 2 to 3 days or more often in warm weather
  • Avoid flies by keeping the lid tightly closed at all times
  • Store in a dark, cool place such as under the sink to reduce odours
  • Always remove all packaging from food
  • In the warmer months, make your own vinegar fly trap and place it next to your kitchen caddy. Put some vinegar in an old jar, secure plastic film over the top with a rubber band, pierce small holes in the top

Try these top tips!

  • Do NOT put plastic bags of any kind in the green bin - including compostable or biodegradable bags – nude food only!
  • NO nappies – not even compostable or biodegradable nappies
  • NO disposable wipes – not even compostable, biodegradable or flushable wipes

Remember – NO BAGS

Know your waste

Plan your meals

Shop with a list

Perfect portion sizes

Keep it fresh

Love your leftovers

SIGN ME UP!

In the
Garden

  • grass clippings
  • small branches and sticks
  • leaves, weeds and flowers
  • small untreated and unpainted timber off-cuts
  • pet poo and poo bags
  • fibre-based materials, such as bamboo, timber or cardboard packaging and cutlery, paper towels and serviettes
  • compostable or biodegradable plastic products or bags
  • vacuum cleaner dust, washing machine and dryer lint

Keep these OUT of your green bin

Garden scraps go IN the green bin

FIND OUT THE RIGHT PLACE FOR THESE ITEMS HERE

Get your
how-to-guide
here!

DOWNLOAD

For more information contact info@midwaste.org.au

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