Disposing of restricted fruit and vegetable commercial waste during an outbreak
Green waste is managed differently throughout South Australia. There may be additional arrangements for managing green waste in outbreak areas of the state, to prevent the risk of spreading fruit fly.
See the list of restricted fruit and vegetables to understand which produce is at risk.
Residential waste disposal
If you are in a red outbreak area or a yellow suspension area, you must not compost any fruit or vegetables that are on the restricted produce list.
Composting these items in outbreak zones can allow fruit fly to breed and survive, even in cooler months.
Instead, place any restricted fruit or vegetables in your
- green organics bin (if in a metropolitan Adelaide outbreak area) or
- red waste bin, in line with your local council’s fruit fly disposal guidelines (if in a Riverland outbreak area).
Commercial waste disposal
Check below how to dispose of green waste in your local area, depending on whether you are a resident, grower, or commercial business.
Riverland Pest Free Area (PFA)
The PFA includes Lindsay Point which is located just over the Victorian border.
Do not use green bins for restricted fruit and vegetable waste. Follow the waste management plan in your market access agreement.
For large quantities of restricted fruit and vegetable waste, you can:
- mulch it and optionally apply a chemical treatment such as Samurai or dimethoate
- arrange collection by calling the Industry Fruit Fly Hotline
- deep bury the waste under 1 metre of topsoil immediately – do not shallow bury or leave the pit uncovered.
Metropolitan Adelaide – including Elizabeth East
Follow the waste management plan in your market access agreement.
For large quantities of restricted fruit and vegetable waste, you can:
- mulch it and optionally apply a chemical treatment such as Samurai or dimethoate
- arrange collection by calling the Industry Fruit Fly Hotline
- deep bury the waste under 1 metre of topsoil immediately – do not shallow bury or leave pits uncovered.