Businesses must separate food waste from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026 businesses must separate food waste from general waste. Get your business ready.
Under new laws, from 1 July 2026 businesses or institutions that sell or handle food, like supermarkets, cafes, schools and hotels, must separate food waste from general waste.
Your business can save costs on waste disposal to landfill, improve business operations, reduce your carbon footprint and divert food waste for beneficial reuse.
Separating food waste from general waste is good for business.
Step 1: Get ready
The mandates requiring separation of food waste from general waste will happen in stages from 1 July 2026, based on weekly rubbish bin volumes:
From 1 July 2026
Applies to sites that have a weekly general waste capacity of
- 6 or more 660L bins, or
- 16 or more 240L bins, or
- any combination of bins equal to or more than 3,960L
From 1 July 2028
Applies to sites that have a weekly general waste capacity of
- 3 or more 660L bins, or
- 8 or more 240L bins, or
- any combination of bins equal to or more than 1,980L
From 1 July 2030
Applies to sites that have a weekly general waste capacity of
- 1 or more 660L bins, or
- 3 or more 240L bins, or
- any combination of bins equal to or more than 720L
Find out if and when your business needs to source separate using our calculator.
Step 2: Assess your waste and set up your food waste collection
Talk to your waste service provider for information and advice on setting up a separate food waste collection.
Use our Bin Trim tool to help assess your waste and identify easy actions to avoid and reduce it. After the self-assessment you will get an easy-to-follow action plan so you can monitor improvement over time. Businesses completing a waste assessment may also qualify for rebates to help with the cost of leasing or purchasing new equipment to avoid, reduce, reuse or recycle waste. Rebates are available from $1,000 and up to $50,000 covering up to 50% of the capital cost of small-scale, on-site recycling equipment or technology.
For advice and to access rebates for equipment like bins and signage, sign up to Bin Trim.
Step 3: Get information and support
Information session
Our online information session for businesses explains why the mandates are being introduced, to which businesses the mandates apply, upcoming requirements, support programs available and the benefits of organics recycling. Our expert panel answers your most frequently asked questions.
Other support for businesses
The EPA has a range of information and resources to support businesses to meet the FOGO mandates.
If you require further assistance, please call 13 77 88 or email info@epa.nsw.gov.au
NSW EPA, accessed 30th June 2026
