Food Waste Readiness Assessment

About the NSW Food Waste Recycling Mandate

What is it?
From 1 July 2026, NSW businesses that prepare or serve food will need to separate food organics from general waste and have it collected by a source-separated organics service. This staged mandate is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to reducing food waste.

Who is affected?
Businesses and premises that prepare or provide food or drink, including:

• Supermarkets 
• Food and drink businesses: cafés, restaurants, pubs, takeaway shops 
• Hotels and motels 
• Registered clubs 
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities 
• Educational institutions: schools, TAFEs, universities 
• Childcare centres 
• Correctional facilities 
• Mobile catering businesses (excluding where food is served) 
• Food courts and shared food halls 
• Seniors housing not receiving council waste collection 

Compliance Timeline – Staged Rollout:

• Group 1: ≥3,840L weekly residual waste – from 1 July 2026
• Group 2: ≥1,920L weekly residual waste – from 1 July 2028
• Group 3: ≥660L weekly residual waste – from 1 July 2030

Consequences of Non-Compliance:

• Maximum fines: up to $500,000
• Daily penalties: up to $50,000/day
• On-the-spot fines: up to $5,000
• Repeat offenders face higher penalties

Why this matters for your business

Starting early ensures you meet the NSW Food Waste Recycling Mandate without disruption, cut operational costs, and improve sustainability outcomes.

Edge Impact's Food Waste Readiness Assessment

Here’s how Edge Impact can help your organisation prepare: 

• Waste assessments – to understand your current waste profile and identify gaps for improvement and optimal organic waste infrastructure (in-house bins, processing technology, contractors, etc.) 
• Organics system setup – support with FOGO bins, signage, back-of-house infrastructure to ensure you are setup for success and benefiting from reduced waste collection costs 
• Staff training – to ensure separation is done correctly 
• Communications support – to reduce contamination and build team buy-in 
• Ongoing monitoring and troubleshooting 

Take the first step today. Fill out the form below to book your free Food Waste Readiness Assessment with the Edge Impact team.

Packaging & Circular Economy

While preparing your business for the NSW Food Waste Recycling Mandate, it’s also worth considering how packaging impacts waste and sustainability.

Edge Impact’s Packaging Guide
As the Australian Government moves toward mandatory packaging regulations, businesses need a fresh approach to packaging design, recycled content, and stewardship. Co-authored by our team of circular economy and packaging experts, this practical starter guide provides organisations with:

• 5 Key Packaging Considerations: Essential insights for smarter packaging design
• Understanding Your Responsibilities: Overview of upcoming regulatory reforms and compliance requirements
• Cost-Effective Strategies: Ways to leverage packaging to boost sustainability without increasing costs

Learn more about the future of packaging here.