What's happening?
From November 2025, Council is trialling new bin systems in two popular parks – Pioneers Memorial Park, Leichhardt and Enmore Park, Marrickville.
Each park will feature:
- A green lid Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bin, for recycling food scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels, bread, leftovers, meat bones and seafood shells
- A bottle and can recycling cage, where residents and visitors can drop off or collect drink containers to redeem through Return and Earn for a 10-cent refund
This pilot is the first step in exploring how food recycling and drink container recycling can work effectively in public places, following the success of the household FOGO service introduced in 2023.
Our waste collection data shows food scraps and drink containers make up a significant portion of park waste. By offering convenient recycling options, the trial aims to:
- Reduce contamination in park waste streams
- Divert more organic and recyclable materials from landfill
- Cut greenhouse gas emissions
- Support community participation in accessible recycling initiatives
If this trial is successful, Council plans to expand the initiative to other parks.
Council received funding from Exchange for Change (the container deposit scheme coordinator) for 100 recycling baskets in early 2026. The new baskets will:
- Support the community with cost of living pressures by making sharing and collecting eligible bottles, cans and cartons easier, safer and more accessible
- Increase recycling rates and decrease items sent to landfill
Where? A full list of locations will be included in this webpage soon.
When? The baskets will be installed in selected public spaces across the Inner West from May to June 2026.
What's accepted? Empty bottles, cans and cartons that are eligible for a 10c refund. More information here.
Where to refund? A full map of sites is available at the Return and Earn website.
Have lots of containers? You can take them to the new Return and Earn Bulk Depot at 54 Smidmore Street, Marrickville, near Marrickville Metro. The undercover drive‑through facility means no parking hassles and quicker returns for large quantities. The staffed depot can process up to 100 containers per minute that don’t need to be pre-sorted.
Yes
- Fruit and veggie scraps
- Bread and leftovers
- Bones and seafood shells
No
- Dog poo
- Plastic food packaging
- Paper/cardboard food packaging
- Bamboo cutlery
- General rubbish
Visit the FOGO page for more detailed information.
To help residents recycle correctly and reduce contamination, the bins feature:
- Clear and consistent signage explaining what goes where
- Swing lids with locking mechanisms to prevent bulky rubbish from being placed in the bins
- General waste bins placed nearby for convenience
- Regular monitoring by Council crews before collection
If a FOGO bin contains too many incorrect items, it will be emptied as garbage and reported, so the trial can be reviewed and improved.
To support the rollout, Council held mobile customer service stalls in both trial parks, spoke directly with park users, and provided information through bin signage, posters, newsletters, and social media.
Residents can follow updates and results from the trial on this website page.
The bottle and can recycling cages were built locally by The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre, using repurposed bike parts. This innovative approach supports Council’s Sustainable Procurement Policy, reduces waste and highlights how circular economy principles can be applied across Council projects.
The cages provide social and environmental benefits – allowing residents to donate containers, supporting people who collect them, reduce litter and increase recycling in our parks.
Residents who want to redeem their own containers can visit nearby Return and Earn locations:
- Reverse vending machine at Norton Plaza, 101c/55 Norton Street, Leichhardt
- Return and Earn Bulk Depot, 54 Smidmore Street, Marrickville
A full map of sites is available at the Return and Earn website.
Keeping our parks clean
Bins in the trial parks will be emptied and cleaned regularly. If you see a bin that needs attention, please report it through one of the following options:
- Email rethink.waste@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
- Call 02 9392 5000
- Use the Snap Send Solve app, available from the App Store or Google Play
- Report it through our website