While green bins and compost bags may already be the norm in homes throughout Adelaide, the introduction of green bins in Rundle Mall will signal the first time shoppers will have the option to properly separate their wastes.

The 12-month waste trial was launched a short time ago by Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor and Environment Minister Susan Close.

Organic waste will be sent to the states compost industry and converted into a high value nutrient in less than 12 weeks.

Around 47 tonnes of waste and recyclable materials are collected from the Mall precinct each year, with 17 tonnes of organic material hoped to be composted in the coming 12 months.

The council is spending $143,000 on the scheme, with another $72,000 contributed by the state government through Green Industries SA’s Council Modernisation Grants.

In total, six three-bin systems for food scraps and compostable waste will be installed this week in key locations near Mall food outlets.

New green bins in Rundle Mall, suitable for food waste and other compostables. Photo: Jason Katsaras/InDaily

A council spokesperson said green bins were only now being introduced to Mall public spaces because of increasing public awareness about recycling.

“With an increasing number of hospitality operators using compostable packaging, there is now an opportunity to recover more resources which previously couldn’t go in the green bin,” he said.

“Recent public education campaigns have greatly improved the community’s knowledge and understanding of what can go in the green bin so there is less chances of contamination now than there was in years past.”

It comes after Rundle Mall management briefly removed all recycling bins from the city’s retail strip before Christmas in 2019, a move criticised by shoppers and Adelaide City councillors.

Verschoor said today that the council had a vision to be the first zero-waste city in Australia, with the green organics trial aiding that vision.

“Adelaide is already the first South Australian Council to be entirely powered by renewable energy and now we are leading the nation with these new bin systems,” she said.

“Council will be offering education programs for shoppers, as well as incentives for traders who provide compostable food and drink serving materials.”