Food scrap caddy & compostable bags

The best way to collect your food scraps at home is by using a caddy. Alternatively, you can re-use an ice-cream tub or similar container.

Caddy options 

A caddy is only provided when booking a new green bin service. Replacement caddies, or additional caddies are not provided.

Option 1 - Closed food scrap caddy

• It is recommended that you line your food scrap caddy with newspaper or paper towel and fill with food scraps. 
• After emptying food scraps from your caddy into your food and garden waste bin, simply rinse out your caddy and put another piece of paper towel or newspaper at the bottom ready for more food scraps.
• Empty your caddy every 2-3 days, or if using compostable bags every 1-2 days to prevent the bag breaking down in your caddy. 
• If dirty, the caddy can be washed in the dishwasher.

Option 2 - Aerated food scrap caddy

• Only AS 4736 compostable bags can be used. 
• If having trouble opening bags, moisten fingers and rub to open. 
• Leave enough room at the top of your bag to tie before placing in bin. 
• Empty your bag every 3-4 days to prevent the bag breaking down in your caddy. 
• If dirty, the caddy can be washed in the dishwasher.

One roll of 150 compostable bags is provided with this caddy option. Once used, residents will need to purchase Australian Standard (AS 4736) compostable bags. A list of where to purchase additional bags is available under ‘compostable bags, where to purchase’ - below. An 8 litre bag is suitable for the caddy.

Tips to manage your caddy & green bin

• Keep meat and seafood scraps in the fridge/freezer and place into your green bin the night before collection day
• Wrap meat scraps and bones (with newspaper or paper towel) before placing into your caddy
• Put small amounts of paper towel, newspaper or tissues in your caddy along with your food scraps
• Empty your aerated caddy with compostable bags every 3-4 days or as necessary
• Empty your closed caddy every 2-3 days or as necessary
• Empty your closed caddy with compostable bags every 1-2 days or as necessary
• If using compostable bags, make sure to tie a knot in the bag when full and before placing in your green bin
• Keep caddy lid and green bin lid closed at all times when not in use
• Line your green bin with a couple sheets of newspaper
• Keep your green bin away from your house in a shady spot if possible
• Sprinkle vinegar, baking soda, charcoal or eucalyptus oil in your green bin to combat odours
• A mix of garden and food waste helps keep bin odours under control – add garden waste to your green bin along with food
• If you are going away, ask your neighbour to put your bins out and bring them back in for you (and they can return the favour for you when they are away!).

Where to buy compostable bags

Australian Standard AS 4736 compostable bags (with a seedling symbol) can only be used in the green bin.

Plastic, degradable or biodegradable bags can not be used in the green bin.

Compostable bags with the code AS 4736 (8 litres) can be purchased at:

	from $4 to $8 per roll 28 to 52 bags per roll
Echuca	Woolworths Coles IGA Xpress Bunnings
Moama	Woolworths
Kyabram	Ritchie's SUPA IGA Woolworths
Rochester	Mitre 10 Major's IGA
Tongala	IGA
Rushworth	Coghlan's IGA
Stanhope	Stanhope Supermarket
Lockington	Foodworks
Gunbower	Gunbower Roadhouse
Online	from $10 to $13 per roll 52 to 150 bags per roll Compost-a-Pak Cardia Bioproducts Ecovend Biobag

 

View our video showing how to fold a newspaper for your closed caddy