Solving Organic Waste Program

The case for compost - why recycling food waste is so much better than sending it to landfill:

Central Coast schools generate on average 23kg of food waste per day (based on our waste audits in 20 schools). This multiplies to 4.6Tonnes of food waste per year per school.

In landfill this food waste generates 9.66T of CO2e greenhouse gases, per year, per school.

When composted aerobically (in commercial composts and on-site school compost systems) it would only generate 2.76T of CO2e, avoiding 6.9T of CO2e greenhouse gas emissions, per year, per school.

The Solving Organic Waste (SOW) pilot program introduces comprehensive food waste management into schools and provides education and support in setting up food waste collection, composting and worm farming, as well as guidance on food waste avoidance. The learnings and resources developed in ten Central Coast schools in 2025 will inform a rollout to the rest of NSW through the Department.

Food waste is heavy and when sent to landfill incurs an additional landfill levy, so ultimately removing food waste from your general waste will reduce your waste expenditure. Food Organics (FO) and Garden Organics (GO) collections are available from Veolia (who have the Whole Of Government waste contract for our region) for the bulk of your Organic Waste.

These 10 pilot schools are being supported by the provision of food waste collection bins and monetary contribution to put towards the additional costs associated with the introduction of a food waste management system:

Central Mangrove Public School

Chittaway Bay Public School

Gorokan Public School

Kariong Public School

Morisset High School

Ourimbah Public School

Toukley Public School

Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College - Tumbi Umbi Campus

Valley View Public School

Woodport Public School

The Solving Organic Waste project is a partnership between the NSW Environment Protection Authority and NSW Department of Education. The NSW Government has passed the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act in 2023. As part of this and the NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041, there is a focus on waste reduction to help achieve net zero. Two of the goals in Our Commitment to Sustainability directly support this by aiming to be net zero in emissions and eliminating resource waste.

Solving Organic Waste Website

Find resources and support to help educate on food waste management and how to set up food waste separation in both the classrooms and playgrounds.

All schools are welcome to make use of the resources to help them reduce their food waste to land fill in preparation for NSW Government requirements.

edu.nsw.link/sow