Residents are encouraged to investigate ways to minimise the amount of waste being produced, with weekly household waste generation up by 15 per cent over the last two months.

Household waste generally consists of a larger amount of food waste thrown out in rubbish bins. Ways to reduce food waste and save money include creating a shopping list and planning weekly meals, using leftovers and reducing portion size when cooking.

Worm farming and composting are great ways to recycle organic waste that residents cannot avoid including banana skins, eggshells and coffee grounds.

Mayor of Camden, Cr Theresa Fedeli, said composting involves the natural process of breaking down organic material and can be done in a compost heap, bin, bay or tumbling compost bin.

“Through composting or worm farming, food waste and kitchen scraps can be turned into a natural fertiliser that can help grow amazing plants in your garden,” Cr Fedeli said.

“Compost bins, worms and worm farms are available from your local hardware store or garden centre and can be fun activity for the kids as well.”

Items that can be composted include leaves, twigs, small branches, straw, sawdust, pine needles, shredded paper, grass clippings, fruit and vegie scraps, cut flowers, tea bags and coffee grounds, eggshells.

Meat, bones, fats, oils, dairy products, dog or cat faeces, treated wood products, weeds with seed heads cannot be composted.

If you are new to worm farming, feeding tips include:

You can feed worms: Fruit and vegie scraps, teabags, coffee grounds, crushed eggshells, moist newspaper and cardboard; andDo not feed worms: Onion, garlic, chilli, dairy products, citrus fruit (lemons, limes or oranges), meat, bones, fish, oils, dog or cat faeces.

For more information on composting and worm farming, go to camden.nsw.gov.au