In a bid to reduce food waste and its environmental impact, the Auckland Council's food scraps collection service has been quietly revolutionizing the way residents deal with their leftovers.

Since its rollout at the beginning of 2023, this service has aimed to divert 100,000 tonnes of food waste away from landfills each year, which would otherwise contribute to harmful methane emissions.

The service encourages residents to separate food scraps from regular waste, a change that some initially find daunting.

However, there are practical solutions to common concerns.

To address the issue of smell, Auckland Council provides pink biodegradable bags for benchtop caddies, available for purchase from retailers.

Frequent bag changes every two to three days to prevent odours.

Additionally, emptying the benchtop caddy into the designated wheelie bin outside mitigates any unpleasant smells in your home.

For those with limited bench space, storing food scraps in a smaller container with a lid, like an ice cream tub, can be a space-saving and odour-reducing solution.

Freezing meat scraps until collection day also helps manage potential odours.

Some Aucklanders may wonder if the service is necessary when they already compost.

While composting is excellent for fruit and vegetable scraps, cooked food and meat products are less suitable for traditional composting, which is where the food scraps bin comes into play.

Residents and community organizations like EcoMatters' Hope Teaching Garden appreciate the service's role in reducing food waste.

The food scraps service complements existing sustainability efforts, providing an additional option for responsible waste disposal.

Auckland Council's food scrap collection service is a simple yet effective way to reduce food waste's impact on the environment.

By embracing these changes, residents are not only reducing their carbon footprint but also contributing to a greener future for Auckland.

With weekly collections coinciding with regular rubbish pickups, it's a small change that can make a significant difference in the long run.