Northern Beaches Council’s food waste collection pilot is moving to Phase 2 with around 1200 selected households in Terrey Hills, Fairlight and Manly Vale to trial a new separate food-only bin.
The NSW Government has legislated that all councils are to provide residents with a food waste collection service by 2030 – which is a big and exciting change for all households says Northern Beaches Council.
“Such a big change requires a considered implementation and on the Northern Beaches we are taking a staged approach, starting with a two-phased pilot program of around 3,000 households.”
The two-phased pilot program will inform the introduction of a food waste collection program for the whole Northern Beaches area. Phase 1 of the pilot program ended just recently. Approximately 1,700 households in Cromer and Dee Why added their food waste to their greens bin along with their garden waste. The program collected around 330 tonnes of combined food and garden waste. This waste was then sent off for processing and recycling.
Phase Two Set To Launch With New Burgundy Bin
Phase 2 will run for 20 weeks from 21 April to 2 September 2026, in selected streets of Terrey Hills, Manly Vale and Fairlight with a mix of houses and units. You can check to see if your household is in the pilot area via the map images below…
Phase 2 pilot residents will be asked to place their food waste in a new burgundy bin. They will be provided with a kitchen caddy, the new burgundy lid bin and compostable liners and asked to separate their food waste. The food from the burgundy bin collection will be turned into compost and feedstock for agriculture and other uses.
The new burgundy bin will be collected weekly on their usual collection day, with all other collections remaining the same.
Residents in the pilot area have been notified and will receive their bin a week before the pilot begins. Mayor Sue Heins said the pilot would shape a long-term, sustainable waste solution for the community.
“This is one of the most significant changes to household waste services in decades, and we’re committed to getting it right for the Northern Beaches,” Mayor Heins said. “Early results from Phase 1 show our community is willing to embrace new ways of reducing waste, and that’s incredibly encouraging.
“This next stage will help us understand what works best for our diverse community – whether you live in a large home, granny flat or unit block. The lessons we learn now will shape a service that is practical, effective and environmentally responsible.”
