2017-03-07 S&O Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 9 Green Waste Survey Report

1      EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A greenwaste survey trial has been undertaken in four (4) selected locations within
the Noosa Council local authority area. The purpose of the survey was to determine
the quantity of fruit and vegetable waste disposed of by householders in their
greenwaste bin.   Participating residents were notified by letter in advance of the
survey and asked to wrap fruit and vegetable waste in newspaper prior to placing the
waste in the bin.

Four urban residential type areas of about 250 households each were selected for
the trial. The four survey areas totalled 989 greenwaste bin householders of which
170 households were included in the greenwaste street audit. The street audit
targeted about 30 households within each survey area. The audit comprised of
collection and weighing all presented greenwaste bins, then sorting the greenwaste
collected into relevant categories.
On aggregate, for the four survey areas — Sunrise Beach, Tewantin Noosa, Heads
and Noosa Waters, fruit and vegetable waste comprised 4% of the total greenwaste
collected in the audit. The average greenwaste bin weight (net) was 14.5 kg for the
four survey areas. On this basis fruit and vegetable waste comprises about 600g per
average green waste bin.
Historic monthly greenwaste bin data indicate average bin weights for Noosa vary
from as little as 100g to 3.5kg month to month, depending on the season of the year,
rainfall, and holiday season. Changes in average bin weights over the subject
organic waste trial period therefore may be disguised by these other influences.
Ancillary observations were recorded during the trial such as excessive odour,
excessive bin weights (>70kg), and description of any contamination. Contamination
was found to be minor (about 0.5% by weight) but included soiled nappy, animal
faeces, fruitfly larvae and animal bones.
Excessive odour was noted on a number of occasions. At times the survey team was
approached by residents who offered the opinion that the two week disposal cycle for
fruit and vegetable waste too long, resulting in an unacceptable odour and/or is also
unhygienic. It was suggested by a resident that such matters would be satisfactorily
resolved if the collection service was weekly.
 None of the bins weighed were excessive in weight (>70kg).

 Noosa Council
 Greenwaste Survey                                          Rolfe Perry & Associates Pty Ltd
 Report                                                                      J386
 6 December 2016                      Page 2