NSW to step up food business recycling with new rules
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has launched a major campaign to help businesses prepare for upcoming food waste recycling requirements, with the first phase of the mandates coming in from July 2026.
The Business Food Waste campaign, running from mid-September through to June 2026, is targeting businesses required to act under the new rules. This includes supermarkets, hospitality venues and institutions such as hospitals, universities and correctional centres.
From 1 July 2026, relevant businesses and institutions must separate food waste from general waste if they generate 3,840 litres per week or more, the equivalent of 16 x 240 litre bins or two skip bins, helping to reduce landfill and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
NSW EPA Executive Director Programs and Innovation, Alexandra Geddes, said the campaign will ensure businesses are well prepared.
“New mandates for food waste are coming to NSW. We want businesses to have plenty of notice so they can plan, set up systems and be confident they are ready to comply,” Ms Geddes said.
“Food waste makes up a quarter of all NSW business waste going to landfill, and it’s the single biggest waste stream across almost every sector.
“We’re asking businesses to start thinking about how they manage their food waste. Get your business ready - search food waste NSW today.”
The awareness campaign will run across digital video and podcasts, print, social media, regional media and culturally and linguistically diverse outlets. It will feature in media in Maitland, Albury, the South Coast and Wagga Wagga, the Australian Chinese Daily, El Telegraph, Chieu Dong-Sunrise Daily, Korean Today and Koori Mail, as well as streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime, 7Plus, 9Now and SBS NITV.
Businesses will be supported through the Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) Business Mandate Calculator, guidance materials, and a range of grants and rebates, including the Bin Trim program offering up to $50,000 for on-site equipment, and the Business Food Waste Partnership Grants providing up to $200,000 for projects to educate and support industry.
The new mandates will be phased in as follows:
- Relevant premises with residual waste capacity ≥ six 660L bins, or ≥16 x 240L bins, or any combination of bins ≥3,960L must comply by 1 July 2026
- Relevant premises with residual waste capacity ≥ three 660L bins, or ≥ 8 x 240L bins, or any combination of bins ≥1,980L must comply by 1 July 2028
- Relevant premises with residual waste capacity ≥660 litres in a single bin, or ≥three 240-litre bins, or ≥720 litres in total for any combination of bins, must comply by 1 July 2030.
With landfill space in Greater Sydney expected to run out by 2030, scaling up FOGO recycling is essential to avoid a looming waste crisis and marks a significant boost for the circular economy.
For more information, go to: Business food waste | EPA