Council received an update from FoodCycle Science on usage and waste diversion from 100 FoodCyclers deployed to local homes as part of a community pilot program.

The FoodCycler Pilot Program was launched in late 2024, with two models available in January 2025 to the 100 residents who signed up. For 12 weeks, residents were asked to track their usage to calculate how much organic waste was being kept out of the local Transfer Station. Participants were also asked to complete an exit survey.

“We know a number of people who had positive feedback about the program,” said Mayor Bob Mattice. “It was interesting to see the data as a whole for the past year. This gives council something to think about when it comes to waste diversion strategies.”

Based on the data collected, the machines are estimated to have diverted approximately 299.81kg of food waste per household per year from the landfill, totalling 29.98 metric tonnes. Residents also reported generating 0.75 fewer standard garbage bags per week, or 39 garbage bags per household per year, that were not sent to the Transfer Station landfill.

The estimated operating costs per unit ranged from $8 to $20 per month, for one to four cycles per week, depending on household usage. Most survey feedback was positive, with respondents appreciating the device’s convenience. Some participants, however, also noted the additional expense of filters required to keep the machine running smoothly. Each filter lasts three to four months, and a package of four filters costs roughly $75 to $100.

Council accepted the report as information and will look at the City’s business plan and waste diversion strategy once it has established a formal diversion target.