Food scraps collection trial

Earlier this year, the council conducted a 12-week kerbside food scraps collection trial to 400 households in different areas of Whanganui. The purpose of the trial was to learn how a kerbside food scraps collection could work in Whanganui – and to hear insights from the participating households.

The information we gathered will help us prepare for a wider roll-out of the service to the community in 2025.

Why food waste is a big problem

As well as costing us all money, wasting food is really bad for the planet.

Food waste is the single biggest contributor of climate change emissions in New Zealand’s waste sector. In low oxygen environments, like landfills, food scraps break down into methane – which is a potent greenhouse gas.

By stopping food scraps from going to landfill, we can help reduce climate change while creating high quality compost for our gardens and farms.

For more information on food waste, and tips to reduce it, click here