Do you find it difficult to know how to help the environment? Are you unsure how to recycle organic waste? Many people find it challenging to understand how they can make a meaningful impact on climate change in their daily lives. 

But John McKew from the Australian Organics Recycling Association says there is a straightforward and effective action we can all take to combat climate change: recycling organic waste in our green bin. 

“Many households recycle garden organics, but an increasing number are now including food organics in green bins,” he says. 

Putting organic waste in the red bin sends it to landfill, where its decomposition produces methane - a greenhouse gas that’s 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global climate change. 

When households put organic waste in the green bin, it’s sent to an organics processing facility to make compost, mulch, and soil conditioners, significantly reducing methane emissions. 

Mr McKew says organics recycling prevented almost four million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from entering the atmosphere in 2021-22. This is the equivalent to almost six million trees being planted to absorb the same amount of CO2, according to the association.

Households can do their bit to reduce the impacts of climate change by separating and recycling organic waste correctly, but Mr McKew says it’s crucial to keep rubbish and contaminants out of the green bin. 

“Plastics are the most common contaminant, but many other items like bagged household waste, glass, metal, leather, rubber, cardboard boxes, and even food still in its packaging are frequently found,” he says. “These contaminants must be removed, often by hand, before the organics can be effectively recycled.” 

Mr McKew says the benefits of organics recycling extends beyond emission reductions at landfills. 

“The compost, mulch, and soil conditioners can enhance soil health and improve the growth of crops, gardens, and trees,” he says. “This reduces the need for inorganic fertilisers and irrigation, and increases plant survival creating a favourable outcome for both the environment and our communities.”

Mr McKew says Australia’s organics recovery rate sits at just 52.3 per cent.

“There’s still room for improvement and the Australian Organics Recycling Association encourages everyone to recycle their organic waste thoughtfully and to celebrate the environmental benefits of these small, everyday actions.”