Updates from Western Composting Technology
Read the latest news and updates from Western Composting Technology.
Think Before You Bin It: What Belongs in the Green Bin?
One of the simplest rules of thumb for avoiding green bin contamination is: if you can’t eat it or grow it, don’t put it in the green bin. While there are some exceptions, such as compostable bags and small amounts of paper-based products that may be accepted, it’s a useful guide for households and businesses looking to keep contaminants out of organics bins.
Green bin contamination remains one of the biggest challenges facing Australia’s organics recycling industry. While most households and businesses do the right thing, items such as soft plastics, fruit stickers, bread tags, glass and batteries still find their way into organics bins. At Western Composting Technology, even small amounts of contamination can affect the quality of the compost produced from green waste. By keeping contaminants out, we can divert more organic material from landfill, reduce methane emissions and create compost that supports healthier soils and food production.
What belongs in the green bin?
The right material can be turned into useful compost. Accepted items may include:
- Food scraps, including meat, seafood and seafood shells
- Coffee grounds, loose leaf tea and tea bags
- Grass clippings, leaves, prunings and garden cuttings
- Tree branches up to 10cm in diameter
- Napkins, paper towels, tissues and toilet rolls, where accepted by the relevant council or collection program
Requirements can vary between councils and collection programs, so households and businesses should check their local guidelines if they are unsure whether an item is accepted.
What should be kept out of the green bin?
Common contaminants include plastic bags and packaging, fruit stickers, bread tags, glass, batteries, e-waste, wet wipes, clothing and building materials such as bricks, concrete, dirt and sand. These items do not belong in organics bins and can affect compost quality, create safety risks and increase processing costs.
How households and businesses can make a difference
Cleaner green bins lead to better outcomes. A few simple habits can make a real difference:
- Remove fruit stickers before placing food scraps in the green bin.
- Keep soft plastics, plastic bags and packaging out of organics bins.
- Do not place batteries, glass, sharps, e-waste or general rubbish in green bins.
- Keep garden waste loads free from soil, rocks, concrete and treated timber.
- Businesses should check what is accepted before using compostable packaging or liners in organics collections.
If you are unsure, check your council guidelines before placing an item in the bin.
Why it matters
When households and businesses use green bins correctly, more organic material can be diverted from landfill. This helps reduce methane emissions from decomposing organics and supports the production of compost that can improve soil structure, retain moisture and support food production.
It is a practical example of the circular economy in action: organic waste is collected, processed, turned into compost and returned to the land.
Work Advances on $15 Million Huntly Facility, with Local Businesses Behind the Build
Huntly, Victoria – 10 June 2026
Western Composting Technology’s $15 million food and garden organics facility at Huntly is taking shape and when it opens, Greater Bendigo’s kerbside organics will finally be processed where they’re collected. Located on City of Greater Bendigo-owned land at Wallenjoe Road, the facility will handle up to 30,000 tonnes of organics annually using the same in-vessel tunnel composting technology WCT has run continuously in Shepparton for over 16 years. Construction is being delivered by SilverFox Management alongside Bendigo-based trades and contractors, keeping the economic benefit local from day one. The result: six permanent full-time roles, significantly reduced transport emissions, and long-term processing infrastructure built for regional Victoria.
To READ MORE please download the attached media release.
$15M Composting Facility Construction Underway – Huntly, VIC
Huntly, Victoria – 18 December 2025
Western Composting Technology Pty Ltd (WCT), a leading Victorian organics recycling specialist and sister company to Corio Waste Management Pty Ltd (CWM), has commenced civil works on its new $15million organics processing facility at Wallenjoe Road, Huntly. This investment ensures food and garden organics (FOGO) collected across the region will be processed locally, rather than long hauled to Stanhope, delivering significant environmental and economic benefits for Central Victoria.
To READ MORE please download the attached media release.