Food waste recycling

 What food scraps can go in the organics bin?

• food scraps and peels
• fruit and vegetables
• bread and cake products
• meat, bones and seafood - cooked and raw
• egg, seafood and nut shells
• dairy products e.g. cheese and yoghurt
• takeaway foods
• tea bags and coffee grounds.

For more information watch the 'Tale of Two Bins: Organics' video.

Tips for recycling food scraps

• Use a kitchen caddy lined with a compostable bag.
• Freeze particularly smelly food waste e.g. seafood in paper and place in your organics bin just before collection day.
• Cover or mix food waste with other organic material eg. garden clippings, shredded paper, used paper towel.
• If you don't have other organics to put in the bin or you have large amounts of food waste, wrap your scraps in newspaper to absorb moisture or put them in a compostable bag. This will also prevent food sticking to the inside of your bin.
• Ensure that your bin is undamaged and the lid shuts completely to retain odours and reduce pests.

Remember the rule: 'If it didn't grow, it doesn't go in your organics bin'.

West Torrens residents are entitled to a free kitchen caddy and a roll of compostable bags, as well as replacement bags. Kitchen caddies and bags are available at the Civic Centre, 165 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton. Replacement bags are also available from the Hamra Centre Library, 1 Brooker Tce, Hilton.  Proof of residence is required.

Find out how to use your kitchen caddy and bags.

If you are a resident you can also buy your own kitchen caddy and bags and apply to us for a rebate.

Home composting systems include compost bins, worm farms and accessories.

Compost bins

Read the 'Composting at home booklet' (also available in print) to find out about: 

• the benefits of composting
• what/what not to compost
• compost systems
• helpful hints and tips.

Worm farms

Read the Worm farming booklet (also available in print) to find out about:

• the benefits of worm farming
• worms and what/what not to feed them
• setting up your worm farm
• helpful hints and worm care.

Compost bins and worm farms can be purchased privately or from Council. To find out what's available from us, see Composting and worm farm products for purchase. To place an order complete the Worm farm and compost bin order form.

Residents are entitled to a rebate on the purchase of compost bins and worm farms.  Find out more about waste rebates.  

If you need food scraps for your worm farm or want to share your food scraps with other local residents, contact ShareWaste, a non-profit network.

The Organics bin tells you what happens to its contents after it is collected from your kerb.  Find out what’s involved in composting organic material at Peats Compost Facility and the rules for what can and cannot go in this bin.

Email the Service Centre or contact 8416 6333.

Recipe finder and meal planner

Council is partnered with DoSomething! FoodWise to help reduce food waste in the home. The Recipe Finder and Meal Planner is your guide to making the most of foods you commonly use by helping you to use up food you already have in your kitchen. Select from the list the ingredients that you have and the Recipe Finder will suggest recipes that help you use up these foods and the extra ingredients that you will need to purchase.