Retail Organics Diversion: How to Set Up an Organics Stream That Tenants (Actually) Use
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Whether you’re preparing for the upcoming FOGO requirements or simply looking to improve recycling outcomes across your centre, introducing an organics stream can seem fairly straightforward.
However, getting the bins in place is only the beginning.
The real challenge lies in changing behaviours and ensuring tenants consistently use the new stream correctly. To maximise participation and minimise contamination, organics rollouts need to be supported by ongoing communication, education, and engagement, not just infrastructure alone.
Why organics bins often go unused
Most tenants want to do the right thing. In our experience, low participation is rarely caused by a lack of willingness. More often, it’s the result of a system that wasn’t designed around how tenants actually work. The same challenges tend to appear again and again:
- The process is inconvenient. Even highly engaged tenants can struggle to participate when the organics stream creates additional steps in their day.
- People aren’t confident what belongs in the bin. When tenants are unsure whether something belongs in organics, they often default to general waste.
- They don’t see the value. Compliance alone is not always a strong motivator.
- Nobody follows up after rollout. Many programs launch successfully but lose momentum over time.
Fortunately, these challenges are not difficult to overcome. The centres that achieve the strongest organics diversion outcomes take a structured approach that removes barriers to participation before they become barriers to performance.
Don't design in a vacuum
A butcher, café and food court operator can all produce very different waste profiles. Designing the same system for all three often creates problems before rollout has even begun.
A few conversations upfront can prevent months of frustration later. Take the time to understand how tenants generate and manage waste, as well as any operational constraints they face. These insights often influence participation far more than the bins themselves.
Senior Consultant (QLD), Engagement Projects | NABERS Waste Accredited Assessor & TRUE Waste Advisor
Kim holds a Bachelor of Environmental Management with a major in Sustainable Development and has more than three years of experience as a Waste Consultant. She is a certified NABERS Waste Assessor and TRUE Advisor, with a strong track record delivering waste and sustainability outcomes across national portfolios and complex engagement projects.
Kim plays a key role in shaping Gurru’s tenant engagement and behaviour change programs, helping clients turn sustainability goals into practical, measurable outcomes.
- What waste is generated? Determines required streams.
- Where is it generated? Influences bin placement.
- How much is generated? Decides service frequency and bin sizing.
- How is waste managed today? Reveals existing behaviours.
- What operational constraints exist? Identifies barriers to participation.
If it's difficult, people won't use it
Even highly engaged tenants can struggle when the organics stream creates unnecessary friction. Beyond the bin itself, factors like back-of-house layouts, storage capacity, accessibility and collection points all influence whether food scraps can be separated naturally as part of their workflows.
- Is the bin big enough for the amount of food waste disposed?
- How much room is available for additional streams?
- Can food waste be separated easily during daily operations?
- Are disposal instructions clear and visible?
People support what they understand
Tenants don’t wake up thinking about organics diversion. They’re focused on running their business, which means a new waste stream can easily feel like red tape.
To avoid this, education is key. Successful organics roll-outs help tenants understand two things: what is expected of them, and why the change is happening.
In practice, the questions tenants ask are usually quite predictable. Preparing clear, consistent answers upfront can help remove uncertainty and build confidence.
- Why are we introducing food organics recycling?
- What is best practice for food waste separation?
- What happens to food waste after collection?
- What if our store has limited space for extra bins?
- Will staff need extra time to separate food waste?
- Does food recycling attract pests or smell?
If you’re planning to introduce organics across your centre, these are exactly the types of conversations we help facilitate through our tenant engagement workshops and organics rollout programs.
Rollout is only the beginning & expect to make adjustements
When introducing an organics stream, it’s important to remember that you are not expected to get everything right the first time.
The first month tells you almost everything, e.g., participation gaps, contamination issues, service mismatches etc. The difference is whether anyone is looking for them. Small issues can gradually undermine the performance of the entire stream if left unresolved. Regular reviews help centre teams understand what’s working, what’s not and where additional support may be needed.
This is exactly the approach we take when helping shopping centres roll out organics streams. Our approach combines:
- Tenant engagement and interviews
- Infrastructure audits
- Education and workshop delivery
- Bin tagging and visual audits
- Waste performance monitoring
- Bintracker reporting and analytics
- Service adjustments & optimisation
The goal is simple: make it easy for tenants to participate, provide clarity around what belongs in the stream, address contamination issues before they become larger problems, and continuously refine the system as participation grows.
If you’re planning an organics rollout and would like support, we’d be happy to chat.
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