The proposal for a third bin was first raised in March, when concerns arose about the increased costs and the smell if mixed waste collection was reduced to a fortnightly pick-up.

Based on project estimates, the introduction of a new bin would cost an additional $63 per service per annum if mixed waste was collected fortnightly, or an extra $83 per service if mix waste collection remained weekly.

However, Mr Clayton said an organic waste collection service would save ratepayers money through lower landfill costs and therefore lower waste charges, because there would be less rubbish.

“It’s going to mean keeping the waste charges down at an affordable level,” Mr Clayton said.

During a recent bin audit across the city, Mr Clayton said the results indicated 27.5 per cent of waste in the general bins was food waste and another 27.5 per cent was garden waste, both which would go into the organic bin if it was introduced.

Organic material such as food scraps, including meat and seafood, lawn clippings, tea bags and used kitchen towel can all go into the proposed green lid bin.

As for the complaints raised about the smell of the mixed waste bins, Mr Clayton said it could be dealt with.

“Nappies can be double bagged and it doesn’t have to become an odour problem. You can keep your bin under shade, don’t let it be out in the sun,” he said.

As part of the organic bins proposal, there is also a plan to build the Dubbo Regional Organics Processing Plant, for which Mr Clayton said council had obtained a $3.26 million grant.

He said council would also be applying for a grant to support the cost of providing the bins, a 240-litre bin and a five-litre kitchen caddy.

Council will soon seek public response for the scheme, including a telephone survey of 500 houses.

“We’re not committing to this until we know we have support from the community,” Mr Clayton said.