Welcome to the Australian Local Food System Policy Database. This is a collection of policies from New South Wales (NSW) and Victorian local governments that relate to healthy, sustainable, and equitable food systems.
For further information about using the database and how it was created see How to use the database. You can search the database by using the fields below. Domain refers to eight broad categories under which various topics are situated. The domains and topics are based on a framework of recommendations for local government action on creating a healthy, sustainable, and equitable food system (also located on the ‘How to use the database’ page linked above).
To cite the database: Reeve B, Carrad A, Rose N, Charlton K & Aguirre-Bielschowsky I (2021) Australian Local Food System Policy Database. Available at: https://law-food-systems.sydney.edu.au/policy-database (access date).
Suggested search terms
Hold Ctrl to select multiple terms. Using ‘any words’ functions as an “OR” search. Using ‘all words’ functions as and “AND” search.
Search Criteria:
| Document title | Relevant text in the policy | Domain | Topic | State | Local Government name | Council type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy 2017 | Council will divert food organics from the landfill waste stream. This will involve the following actions: investigating the practicalities to deliver this service to the community reviewing bin collection frequencies investigating bin collection options of collecting both food and garden waste (in the same bin) provision of an organics bin to properties that do not currently have a garden waste bin joining the MWRRG regional organics processing tender addressing bin sizes and pricing structures infrastructure improvements at the Recycling and Waste Centre to manage food organics. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Boroondara | Metropolitan |
| Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy 2017 | General waste bin content audits indicate that there are still considerable amounts of potential recyclables and food organics that can be diverted from landfill. Boroondara garbage bins contain approximately 35% potential divertible material. Recycling bins contain approximately 8% contamination. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Boroondara | Metropolitan |
| Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy 2017 | If food organics are successfully migrated to the green waste stream, an opportunity would exist to link bin lid changes with this service charge. Alternatively, a change could be introduced and phased in over time as part of the ongoing bin maintenance program | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Boroondara | Metropolitan |
| Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy 2017 | Kew Recycling Centre accepts only recyclable material included in the kerbside collection program, i.e. paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, milk and juice cartons (liquid paperboard), plastic containers (types 1-7), aluminium foil, aluminium and steel cans, and (from February 2017) flexible plastics. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Boroondara | Metropolitan |
| Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy 2017 | Key issues that influence the need for improvements include: introduction of kerbside food waste collections and the need for temporary storage prior to transport off-site for processing | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Boroondara | Metropolitan |
| Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy 2017 | subsidised compost bins/worm farms through The Compost Revolution program | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Boroondara | Metropolitan |
| Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy 2017 | the introduction of flexible plastic packaging collections in the kerbside service in 2017. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Boroondara | Metropolitan |
| Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy 2017 | The primary action for the strategy is to divert food waste from the landfill waste stream to the green organics waste processing stream. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Boroondara | Metropolitan |
| Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy 2017 | There are a range of other material recovery and collection systems relevant to Boroondara: Flexible plastics and film: Council commenced the collection of flexible plastics in February 2017 as part of the flexible plastics recycling program funded by the MWRRG. These materials make up only a relatively small proportion of waste in garbage bins, but are the packaging material that is growing fastest in use. Polystyrene: Boroondara RWC is one of four waste facilities within the Melbourne area that accepts polystyrene. Recycling of this material is a challenge given that local end markets are still immature and there are few local polystyrene reprocessors. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Boroondara | Metropolitan |
| Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy 2017 | There is an opportunity to recover organics by introducing food collection either via a separate bin service or within the garden waste bin. Either of these options would require changes to current collection and infrastructure systems. An opportunity will arise in 2018 with the expiration of the current green waste disposal and recycling contract, to pursue to the diversion of food organics from the landfill waste stream, into the green waste stream. A key outcome and priority of the Statewide Waste Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan 20172046 is to build the metropolitan organics recovery network and maximise the network’s productivity by accepting household and commercial food waste. A small network currently exists, with further facilities planned to be built by 2019 in the south-east of Melbourne. The technologies used in these facilities to process the collected organic wastes vary from traditional windrow composting to fully enclosed, in-vessel aerobic composting and maturation. The products produced at these facilities have many uses including as a fertiliser substitute in broad acre farming, soil enhancers and mulches. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Boroondara | Metropolitan |
| Waste Minimisation and Recycling Strategy 2017 | working with local business groups on waste minimisation initiatives, eg. local retail programs for alternatives to disposable plastic bags, food waste recovery systems from cafes and restaurants. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Boroondara | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | 2018-19 Develop a trial education / engagement campaign about waste reduction and avoidance. (e.g. avoiding packaging, encourage sharing, repairing, reuse etc). 2019-20 Based on what was learned in the trial, deliver expanded program 2020-21 Continue to deliver Program 2021-22 Continue to deliver Program | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | Deliver Program to minimise littering 2018-19 Review the continuous littering issues in identified hotspots e.g. takeaway food hotspots, parks etc 2019-20 Implement a focused campaign to reduce street litter around litter hotspots integrating education, infrastructure and enforcement 2020-21 Deliver Program | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | Delivery of Education & Engagement Program to 500 households 2018-19 Further promote, deliver and expand education/ engagement programs about food waste avoidance (NOTE – this could include Food Know How and green waste service) 16 2019-20 Review and update based on what was learned, deliver expanded program All community (including single dwelling, apartments, schools & commercial) | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | Delivery of Education & Engagement Program to 500 households 2018-19 Further promote, deliver and expand education/ engagement programs about food waste avoidance (NOTE – this could include Food Know How and green waste service) 16 2019-20 Review and update based on what was learned, deliver expanded program All community (including single dwelling, apartments, schools & commercial) | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | The Food Know How program educates residents to waste less food through meal planning, correct storage and using rather than discarding leftover food. | Health and Wellbeing | Education/events on food system issues | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | • Domestic Food Scraps Collection (Trial Program) (weekly, optional, no cost) | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | 2018-19 Develop a trial education / engagement campaign about waste reduction and avoidance. (e.g. avoiding packaging, encourage sharing, repairing, reuse etc). 2019-20 Based on what was learned in the trial, deliver expanded program 2020-21 Continue to deliver Program 2021-22 Continue to deliver Program | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | 4.4 Deliverable Year Deliver Program Actions 2018-19 Review the existing waste reduction program at major festivals and events and include steps to ensure continuous improvement as well as promotion of Yarra’s leadership role. 2019-20 Implement waste management systems based on maximum diversion from landfill and resource recovery. 2020-21 Deliver waste management services based on maximum diversion from landfill and resource recovery. 2021-22 Deliver waste management services based on maximum diversion from landfill and resource recovery. Target Responsible Festivals/events Lead – WO Support – WM & CP Lead – WO Support – WM & CP Lead – WO Support – WM & CP | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | Action Number 2.1 Deliverable Year Complete trial and analysis and deliver recommendations Actions 2018-19 Assess the viability of an organics collection service 2019-20 Deliver approved recommendations 2020-21 Review and deliver approved recommendations 2021-22 Deliver approved recommendations | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | Action Number 4.7 Deliverable Year Establish Circular Economy, Closed Loop Model Actions 2018-19 Establish a Council Policy to support a circular economy model for Council’s procurement through purchasing products made of recyclable materials such as plastics, mulch and compost. 2019-20 Implement Council Policy on a circular economy/ closed loop model. 2020-21 Increase the implementation of circular economy/closed loop model. 2021-22 Increase the implementation of circular economy/closed loop model. 4.8 Trial and Report to Executive 2018-19 Explore suitable smaller scale food scraps processing technology that can be established locally in a Council Depot, large MUD sites and commercial premises to process food onsite. 2019-20 Identify a suitable technology for a trial. 2020-21 Trial the technology. Technology for Food Scraps Processing Target Circular Economy (Closed Loop) Model for Waste Responsible Lead – WO Support – WM Lead – WO Support – WM Lead – WO Support – WM Lead – WO Support – WM Lead – WM Support – WO & COM Lead – WM Support – WO & COM Lead – WM Support – WO & COM 2021-22 Complete an analysis and report to Executive. Lead – WM Support – WO & COM | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | Action Number 5.1 Deliverable Year Explored opportunities Actions 2018-19 Explore opportunities to deliver collaborative projects with other councils on topics such as MUD recycling campaigns, food avoidance and litter prevention. 2019-20 Explore opportunities to deliver collaborative projects with other councils on topics such as MUD recycling campaigns, food avoidance and litter prevention. 2020-21 Explore opportunities to deliver collaborative projects with other councils on topics such as MUD recycling campaigns, food avoidance and litter prevention. 2021-22 Explore opportunities to deliver collaborative projects with other councils on topics such as MUD recycling campaigns, food avoidance and litter prevention. Target Responsible Collaboration Lead – WM Support – WO, COM Lead – WM Support – WO, COM Lead – WM Support – WO, COM Lead – WM Support – WO, COM | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | Action Number 5.10 Deliverable Year Delivered program in partnership with community 2019-20 2018-19 Actions In partnership with the community develop a Proudly Plastic Free Campaign to encourage food outlets to reduce the use of disposable plastics. Review and update based on what was learned, deliver campaign. 2020-21 2021-22 5.11 Lobbied Continue to deliver campaign. Continue to deliver campaign. 2018-19 Work with the MAV to jointly lobby State governments to ban the use of single use plastics. 2019-20 Work with the MAV to jointly lobby State governments to ban the use of single use plastics. 2020-21 Continue to lobby State Government about banning single use plastics. 2021-22 Continue to lobby State Government about banning single use plastics. Lead – WM Support – WO Lead – WM Support – WO State Government Target Community and Commercial Responsible Lead – WM Support – WO Lead – WM Support – WO Lead – WM Support – WO Lead – WM Support – WO Lead – WM Support – WO | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | Action Number 5.12 Deliverable Year Delivered program 2019-20 Actions In the absence of any legislative change to ban or reduce the use of single use plastics, explore opportunities to take local action. 2020-21 In the absence of any legislative change to ban or reduce the use of single use plastics, explore opportunities to take local action. 2021-22 In the absence of any legislative change to ban or reduce the use of single use plastics, explore opportunities to take local action. Target State Government Responsible Lead – WM Support – WO & Venue & Events Lead – WM Support – WO & Venue & Events Lead – WM Support – WO & Venue & Events | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | Deliver Program to minimise littering 2018-19 Review the continuous littering issues in identified hotspots e.g. takeaway food hotspots, parks etc 2019-20 Implement a focused campaign to reduce street litter around litter hotspots integrating education, infrastructure and enforcement 2020-21 Deliver Program | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | Delivery of Education & Engagement Program to 500 households 2018-19 Further promote, deliver and expand education/ engagement programs about food waste avoidance (NOTE – this could include Food Know How and green waste service) 16 2019-20 Review and update based on what was learned, deliver expanded program All community (including single dwelling, apartments, schools & commercial) | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | Engaging our Community in Positive Change Yarra has been piloting programs to reduce food waste going to landfill. The Food Know How program educates residents to waste less food through meal planning, correct storage and using rather than discarding leftover food. The food scraps trial has been collecting and composting food scraps from households. These programs are having a profound effect on the residents involved and provide an opportunity for council to engage with residents to rethink how they produce and discard waste materials. A recent audit of rubbish bins showed that participants went from having 3.3kg of food scraps to only 1.2kg, diverting majority of food from landfill. To redefine our waste we will need to engage with our community as well as continue to work closely and collaboratively with the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group (MWRRG), Environment Protection Authority, Sustainability Victoria, the State Government and others to help develop the best methods for reducing and processing our resources. | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| WASTE MINIMISATION AND RESOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY 2018-2022 | Indicator Baseline measurement 2014 June 2018 target Household* (based on audit of 300 single dwelling properties & 150 MUD Units) Single dwelling household organic garbage to landfill | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | Victoria | Yarra | Metropolitan |
| Waste Minimisation for Functions and Events Approved by Council | prohibiting the sale/and or distribution of bottled water. Alternative sources of water must be considered. | Health and Wellbeing | Access to safe drinking water | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |
| Waste Minimisation for Functions and Events Approved by Council | prohibiting the sale and/or distribution of single-use plastic products and single use sachets, polystyrene, plastic bags, plastic straws and/or balloons | Food Waste | Food losses and food waste | NSW | Northern Beaches | Metropolitan |