Willoughby food businesses are being offered free expert assistance to prepare for mandatory new state government rules requiring commercial operators to separate food waste from general rubbish.
Under the staged roll-out of the NSW Government’s Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) regulations, a wide range of local venues – including cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, schools, and hotels – will be required to divert food waste away from standard bins. The compliance deadline for each business depends on the overall volume of general waste produced on-site.
In Short
- Mandatory rules: The NSW Government is rolling out new regulations requiring commercial venues to separate food waste from general rubbish.
- Free assistance: Willoughby City Council and the Better Business Partnership are offering tailored support, including site inspections and staff training.
- Commercial benefits: Separating organic waste helps the environment while potentially reducing waste collection servicing fees for local operators.
While many venues across the municipality have already implemented organic waste bins, operators face the challenge of establishing low-contamination workflows that suit fast-paced daily operations.
To ease the transition, Willoughby City Council has partnered with the Better Business Partnership to provide local business owners with free, practical support.
Willoughby City Council Mayor Tanya Taylor said the initiative aims to reduce environmental impact while ensuring business owners are not left to navigate the changes alone.
“Reducing the amount of food waste going to landfill is an important step towards more sustainable use of resources,” Mayor Taylor said. “We know managing food waste can be challenging, which is why Council is offering free support to help local businesses meet their obligations and get the most out of their food waste systems.”
The free support suite available to eligible local businesses includes:
Tailored food waste reviews: Personalised site inspections to assess current setup.
Compliance assessments & action plans: Guidance to ensure regulations are met smoothly.
Staff training: Educational support for kitchens, service staff, and cleaning crews.
Financial Support Details: Advice on accessing available government grants and rebates.
Beyond regulatory compliance, separating organic waste offers direct commercial benefits, including reduced waste collection servicing fees, improved operational efficiencies, and lower overall bin contamination.
Local business operators can determine when the new state rules apply to their venue by using the NSW EPA online calculator.
Venues looking for direct assistance can book a free 15-minute consultation through Willoughby City Council.
Need help with your business waste strategy? Local food operators can book a free 15-minute consultation with Willoughby City Council to navigate the new FOGO requirements.
