Victoria Proposes To Exclude Compostable Packaging from FOGO Collections: Here’s Why We Strongly Disagree

In June 2024, the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA) proposed updating the Victorian Waste and Recycling Service Standards. Alarmingly, this proposal included a suggestion to exclude compostable packaging from Food and Garden Organic (FOGO) collections in Victoria.

At BioPak, we see this as a giant step backward, given that certified compostable packaging plays a crucial role in diverting organic waste from landfills and promoting a circular economy.

This article will explore the proposed update and why we see industrial-scale processing of compostable packaging as an essential part of a sustainable waste management system. 

Before we look at the proposed update, some context.

Despite what this new proposal might suggest, Australia’s State and Federal Governments aren’t completely against composting. In fact, the Australian Federal Government set a National Waste Strategy to halve food waste by 2030 and have FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) collection available to Metropolitan households and businesses by 2030.

Victoria responded to this guidance by mandating the rollout of FOGO bins by 2026 – 2027. The aim is for all Victorians to have access to a bin or local composting by 2030. Right now, several Victorian councils accept certified compostable packaging in their FOGO bins. 

So, it seemed to all be moving in the right direction – until a recent announcement. 

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) proposed an update of the Victorian Waste and Recycling Service Standards, published on their website in June 2024 (source).

If this update gets approved, individuals will no longer be able to place compostable packaging in their Food and Garden Organic (FOGO) collections in Victoria – including certified compostable caddy bin liners.

Here’s why we urge Governments to accept certified compostable packaging in FOGO bins. 

South Australia and other countries, like Italy, have successfully integrated compostable packaging into their kerbside composting systems. 

Recent research conducted by Edge Impact on behalf of BioPak set out to understand compostable packaging recovery outcomes and success factors in South Australia. This research found that composting food waste and compostable packaging via council provided kerbside FOGO bins is a viable and effective waste management solution in the state of South Australia. Not only that, the system  is capable of handling increased volumes of compostable packaging. 

This example shows that managing compostable materials is feasible, providing the right systems are in place – which can lead to positive outcomes like increased diversion of food waste from landfills and improved soil health through compost application. 

The Industrially Compostable Certification(Australian Standard AS4736) is issued by the Australasian Bioplastics Association. It’s the only source of truth in Australia. To get this certification, products must meet rigorous criteria to make sure they’ll effectively break down in a commercial composting environment, including considerations like the impact on the quality of the compost. 

Instead of a blanket ban, we believe Governments should focus on increasing adherence and recognition of AS4736. If more companies did the right thing, this would decrease the risk of contamination from products that aren’t properly certified. 

A major benefit of certified compostable packaging is that it acts as a vehicle to kerb food waste. Compostable foodservice packaging and food waste can be disposed of together, in an organic bin, leading to higher food waste capture rates. 

This is a significant benefit given that organic waste in landfill emits methane – a greenhouse gas which is on average 28 times more potent than CO2 (source).

Research also indicates that compostable liners can significantly enhance the collection of food scraps, reducing contamination in other recycling streams.

The correct disposal of compostable packaging, through industrial composting, helps prevent products regulated as acceptable alternatives to single-use plastics from emitting methane in landfill.

Concerns have been raised about the presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in packaging products. PFAS refers to a group of over 4,700 man-made chemicals used in many products across many industries, including some plant fibre packaging products. 

However, the compostable packaging space is moving quickly. BioPak is on track for all Bagasse or Sugarcane products to be produced with no intentionally added PFAS by July 2024 for the AU and NZ region, with other regions rolling over in the coming months. We are expecting the rest of the industry to follow suit, and PFAS to be regulated at federal level in the future.

What’s more, certified compostable products cannot contain PFAS and the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) has started enforcing random testing to ensure compliance with standards. This should be taken into account before Governments begin to ban compostable packaging in FOGO altogether. 

As you can see, compostable foodservice packaging is an exciting opportunity to promote a circular economy and keep food waste out of landfills. 

Rather than excluding compostable packaging, which is a step backward, we need more collaboration between the Government and the packaging industry.

With improved labelling, accessible information, and more education on composting labels, we can promote proper end disposal. For example, we could have disposal guide stickers on bins and logos that clearly state ‘industrially compostable’ rather than just ‘compostable’.

Excluding compostable packaging products from FOGO collection is a reactive response that does not consider the long-term benefits of compostable packaging, which is an essential part of a sustainable waste management system. 

If you’re reading this and wanting to take action, you can:

Submit your thoughts and opinions to DEECA. Scroll down the page and find the 
“Survey - Setting the standard for better recycling at home”.

Need help with your submission? We have prepared answers for some of the questions. 

• Do you agree with the standard content lists for each waste and recycling stream?

• • Strongly disagree
  • Please explain your answer:
    
    • At [company], we strongly disagree with the proposed exclusion of certified compostable packaging and bin liners from Food and Garden Organic (FOGO) collections in Victoria, for the following reasons:
      
      • Certified compostable foodservice packaging can divert organic waste from landfill (and reduce the associated methane emissions).
      • Research also indicates that compostable liners can significantly enhance the collection of food scraps, reducing contamination in other recycling streams.
      • We have stringent composting standards in Australia, issued by the Australasian Bioplastics Association. These standards ensure compostable products effectively break down and aren't detrimental to the quality of the compost.
      • Other regions, like Italy and South Australia, have successfully integrated compostable packaging into their kerbside composting systems.
      • The correct disposal of compostable packaging helps prevent products regulated as acceptable alternatives to single-use plastics from emitting methane in landfills.

• Rather than excluding certified compostable packaging, we should be working towards reducing the risk of contamination from non-certified products:

• • Mandate the certification to Australian Compostability standards
  • Mandate clear labelling – products should clearly state ‘Industrially/Home Compostable’
  • Education campaigns for the public
  • Collaboration between the Government and the packaging industry

• New Research Summary: South Australia is Successfully Composting Food Waste and Compostable Packaging
• The Australian Government Has Taken a Vital Step in the Transition to a Circular Economy
• NSW EPA’S FOGO limitations