Council is constantly balancing the waste management needs of residents and ratepayers against managing the total volume of waste produced across the local government area (LGA).
Scale
Council has to consider the size of their local government areas (LGAs). Shoalhaven has an area of 4567km2. For comparison, our neighbouring councils of Kiama and Shellharbour cover only 258km2 and 147km2 respectively.
Shoalhaven City Council manages the waste produced by over 100,000 people (and up to 400,000 people during peak tourism seasons) every day.
This is a complex logistical challenge that requires careful management.
Costs
Councils incorporate the cost of kerbside services into their annual domestic waste management charge, which forms part of the rates.
Current financial estimates indicate a FOGO service will cost ratepayers approximately $150 annually.
To support residents in disposing of garden waste in a more sustainable way, Council offers a range of options to meet the needs of all residents.
Take it to a recycling and waste depot
Council offers convenient drop-off points for garden waste at any of the ten (10) recycling and waste depots across the Shoalhaven.
This waste is converted into shredded garden organics. A mulch-like product available for free to Shoalhaven residents.
Have us collect it from you
If you aren't able to make a trip out to a depot yourself, we offer a garden waste collection service, where we come to you and collect the garden waste from your kerbside.
You can use your household waste disposal or garden waste disposal voucher to pay for these services.
Use it as mulch
Using your grass clippings, leaves, etc. for mulch is also a great way to keep your garden healthy and use less water.
Attend a workshop and get a free compost bin from us
We run regular home sustainability workshops where you can learn how to compost your garden waste.
By attending a workshop you will receive a free compost bin to get you started.
Increase your red lid bin size
If you find that the above options still don't work for you, you can choose to increase the size of your red bin to match the size of your yellow lid bin.
Please be advised that fees apply for this option, and it does result in an increase to the property rates.
Council provides a range of recycling services at the ten (10) recycling and waste depots, for common household waste items, including things that are difficult to dispose of (e.g. electronic waste, batteries and paints).
Council's West Nowra Recycling Precinct, has a range of on-site recycling facilities including, polystyrene, glass, electrical cabling and rubber tyres.
We work in partnership with government and private organisations to operate an Australian-first Green Ceramic Microfactorie™, which recycles plastics, glass, textiles and mattresses into building materials.
There are more facilities in the pipeline as we continually seek out new technologies and best practices to recycle materials that would otherwise go to landfill.
Find out more about the West Nowra Recycling Precinct.
As always, we continue with our public education programs that address avoiding, reducing, reusing and recycling waste.
The NSW Government has mandated the separate collection of food and garden organics (FOGO) from all NSW households by July 2030 and for businesses and institutions from July 2026.
Council is currently researching the options regarding issues such as red bin collection frequency and organic waste processing options for the FOGO material.
Decisions about the new service and when it will be rolled out to the community will be made by Council once they have had the opportunity to consider suitable collection and processing options.
For more details about FOGO bins, please contact the EPA or visit FOGO Frequently Asked Questions | EPA