The Living Bin program is an organic waste recovery program which has been running in Falls Creek and other major alpine resorts in north-east Victoria since 2011. It aims to divert food waste from being dumped in landfill.

Lauren McKechnie explains how the system works and how it benefits the environment.

It is believed that more than half of the waste tipped at landfill from the Alpine Resorts is food waste. When food waste goes into landfill it releases harmful gases which contribute to climate change – which in the long run means: no more snow! But this can be avoided – food waste can instead be turned into useful products, such as compost which improves soil condition and reduces the need for water by up to 30%.

The Living Bin program is an organic waste recovery program which has been running in Falls Creek (along with other major alpine resorts in north-east Victoria) since 2011, collecting food waste and transporting it to a local processing facility, where it is transformed into a valuable composting product.

The program is run by 4SITE Australia with the support of North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group, and since 2013 has succeeded in diverting between 20 and 44 tonnes of organic waste from Falls Creek from landfill each year. This is a substantial amount, but is nevertheless estimated to be just a mere 10 to 15% of the total organic waste produced by the resort. Falls Creek Resort Management is therefore continuing to work with stakeholders and the community to educate, encourage, support and facilitate increased participation in the program and to minimise waste to landfill.

For more information about organic waste bins and how you can participate in the Living Bin program at Falls Creek, contact Lauren McKechnie at laurenmckechnie@fallscreek.com.au or for other resorts, visit your resort management office or contact your environment officer, and help keep our winters cool!