More than 464,000 additional green bins are set to be rolled out across Queensland, diverting an estimated 100,000 tonnes of organic waste from landfill annually.
The Queensland Government’s $151 million Growing the Recovery of Organic Waste via Food Organics and Garden Organics (GROW FOGO) Fund backs councils to introduce or expand kerbside collection services of organics, with councils prioritising garden waste collections as a starting point.
Green waste bins deliver a genuine win-win for the environment by diverting organic waste from landfill and reducing methane gas emissions.
To date, more than $41 million has been approved to seven Queensland councils across South East Queensland, Central and Far North Queensland.
Less waste going to landfill means councils avoid paying a waste levy, while freeing up greenfield housing sites for more homes.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell, encouraged Queensland councils to accelerate their green waste collection to help reduce food and organic waste sent to landfill.
“The Queensland Government is committed to reducing waste in landfill while increasing Queensland’s recycling rate,” Powell said.
“Every time a Queenslander puts items like grass clippings and tree branches in a green bin, they are helping us boost our recycling rate.
“Our waste strategy includes a new $130 million Resource Recovery Boost fund to support councils to develop initiatives and critical infrastructure to divert waste landfill, providing an opportunity for councils to invest in innovative approaches to recycling.”
City of Moreton Bay Mayor, Peter Flannery, said reducing organic waste in landfill was one of the most effective ways to cut emissions and protect the environment for future generations.
“Here in City of Moreton Bay, we’ve diverted more than 20,000 tonnes of garden organics from landfill since December 2024,” Mayor Flannery said.
“This continued funding helps to support our commitment to going green and making it easy for residents to recycle garden waste at home.”
