Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Using Post-Kerbside Organics Treatment Systems to Engage Australian Communities with Pro-Environmental Household Food Waste Behaviours

Abstract

Dealing with the wicked problem of global food waste and loss is a complex and challenging area. In Australia, increased political will has landed the diversion of domestic food waste from landfill squarely at the feet of local government (councils), often requiring significant change to kerbside collections systems. This paper discusses how post-kerbside household food waste treatment systems can encourage pro-environmental behaviours. To achieve this, current food waste literature is examined against kerbside domestic waste collection measurable outcomes (diversion rates, system uptake and contamination rates). The hypothesis is that specific interventions can establish, or rebuild, community trust, responsibility and pro-environmental behaviours around food waste avoidance and diversion. Two post-kerbside systems—commercial composting and anaerobic digestion—provided the framework. Two themes emerged from the study: (1) the benefits of connecting the community with the interactions of household food waste inputs with post-treatment outputs (compost, soil conditioners, digestates and biogases); and (2) providing engaged communities with pathways for sustainable, pro-environmental actions whilst normalizing correct kerbside food waste recycling for the less engaged (habitual behaviours, knowledge and cooperation). The paper contributes to understanding how councils can connect their communities with the issues of household food waste.

Food and Garden Organic Waste Management in Australia: Co-Benefits for Regional Communities and Local Government

“…Most local governments in Australia provide a behaviour-change program to assist residents to understand and better manage household waste [77]. The causes of organic, particularly food, waste in households are complicated and include multidimensional effects such as social, economic, and individual influences [81]. Understanding residents' approaches to management of household food and garden waste is key to developing collection systems that meet the needs of communities, and effectively delivering programs that assist residents to reduce waste to landfill and increase resource recovery.…”

Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) Approach for Determining the Effects of the Waste Charging Scheme on Household Food Waste Recycling

“…Although some estates have their own collection bins, many still do not have a clear designation where they themselves can send food waste for processing. A study reported using visible kerbside collection bins to engage the community in segregation behaviours [81]. Studies on this area of environmental education may offer more efficient means for continuous reinforcement of green behaviours.…”