Nelson’s Kitchen Waste Collection trial gets underway

Did you know food waste that decomposes in landfill produces methane, a greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change?

For that reason, Nelson City Council has long championed home composting as a way to reduce the amount of food waste going to landfill.

But home composting isn’t a solution that works for everyone. Sometimes people just don’t have the time, or space, for a compost bin.

That is why we have set up a trial for kerbside collection of kitchen waste for composting, starting on 11 February. Approximately 135 households were randomly chosen in clusters, along a single, directional route running from The Wood to Stoke. This broad sample of households will provide data as to the quantity and composition of kitchen waste in Nelson.

The trial is funded through Council’s Climate Change Reserve Fund, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that 35 to 40 tonnes of kitchen waste will be collected, which will be composted by Community Compost in their new composting facility.

Infrastructure Chair Brian McGurk says he hopes the trial will demonstrate one way in which we can meet our climate change goals, and also benefit Nelsonians.

“This is just one of the actions that flow from the Council declaring a climate emergency in 2019. Once we have the data from this trial, we will be able to consider extending the service across our region. Every bit of food, from potato peelings to apple cores, that we can turn into compost instead of landfill, will make a difference.”

Ben Bushell from Community Compost is also looking forward to getting the trial underway.

“Being involved in kitchen-waste composting on a much bigger scale than what’s been attempted in Nelson to date is something to get excited about. The potential is huge.”