Port Stephens residents are invited to submit feedback, via an online survey, on future domestic waste services in the LGA.
It comes as council prepares to initiate a new Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service for about 33,000 households from July 2027 in partnership with City of Newcastle (CN).
With its introduction, food scraps will be collected weekly in the existing green lid bin with garden organics, instead of general waste (red lid bin).
But, council is still deciding on the collection schedule for the latter.
Bin sizes will not change… and the recycling (yellow lid) cycle also remains the same.
Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson admitted she was “incredibly excited” about the environmental and community benefits the change would bring, noting community feedback would directly guide the final bin schedule.
“Moving food waste into the green lid bin stops it from creating harmful greenhouse gases in landfill and reduces how much waste is dumped,” she said.
“This simple change will give our community the tools to recycle tonnes of organic waste into rich compost every year.
“If everyone across the state hits this target (halving landfill by 2030), NSW could divert almost 950,000 tonnes of FOGO waste each year to circular-economy products.
“This is the equivalent weight of nearly 24,000 humpback whales migrating past our coast.
“So, getting the bin schedule right keeps our streets clean, hygienic and running smoothly for busy families.
“While a weekly FOGO bin is locked in, councillors will use the survey data and financial analysis to decide between a weekly or fortnightly general waste (red lid) bin cycle at the September meeting.
“Your household waste habits will help us get this crucial decision right for our community.”
Locals can share their thoughts by completing the quick Waste Services Survey on council’s website, pscouncil.info/fogo, until 4 August.
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