Cromer residents are now at the centre of a major waste change, with hundreds of households asked to trial a new food-scraps system that could lead to a five-bin setup across the Northern Beaches.
Pilot Timeline and Scope
The pilot began in late October 2025 and will run for six months in selected sections of Cromer. Another trial will follow from April to September next year, involving a different group of households in locations still being finalised. In total, about 3,000 homes across the Northern Beaches are part of the program.
The council introduced these trials to meet a statewide requirement for all NSW councils to offer food-waste collection by 2030, a plan aimed at reducing landfill use and producing compost for farming.
How Cromer Households Are Involved
Cromer plays a central role in the first phase of the program. Each participating home received a bench-top kitchen caddy and compostable liners to separate food scraps. These scraps now go into the existing green garden-waste bin, which is collected weekly instead of fortnightly.
Council staff will review participation and collection outcomes throughout the trial. The results will guide decisions on whether combining food and garden waste is a practical long-term option for the wider area.
What Happens in Phase Two
The second phase, involving a separate group of 1,500 households, introduces a dedicated burgundy bin used only for food scraps. This approach separates food waste entirely from garden waste.
At the end of both phases, the council will compare outcomes and resident feedback to decide which model suits the community best. The final system will need to be established before the 2030 deadline.
Community Impact and Future Plans
Council representatives noted that households on the Northern Beaches already divert significant amounts of waste through existing recycling streams, though food waste still makes up nearly half of the material placed in red general-waste bins. Converting food scraps into compost reduces greenhouse gas emissions and supports local farming.
They also reminded residents that only those participating in the pilot should place food waste in green bins at this stage. Households outside the trial area are encouraged to reduce food scraps through meal planning, composting, or worm farming.
Published 01-December-2025
