Byron Shire Council (BSC) introduced the mobile market wash stations in 2024 as they looked to phase out single-use food and beverage packaging at events held on Council-managed land.
The Byron Farmers Market has washed an estimated 100,000 reusable dishes over the past 12 months, and reduced landfill waste from eight red wheelie bins per week to just half a bin.
‘Reducing waste from eight bins a week to just half a bin at a regular event of this size is a remarkable achievement,’ Byron Shire Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye said.
The community markets in Byron, Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads are also diverting up to 10,000 items a month from landfill by participating in a reuse system according to BSC.
Cost too high
However, Mullumbimby Community Markets, which are held monthly to support the Mullumbimby Museum, say they are struggling to meet the high cost of the mobile market wash station.
Writing to BSC, Mullumbimby market manager, Jacqueline Smith, said ‘over the past 12 months the market itself has not generated a profit to pass on to the Museum’.
‘The market over the last financial year ran at a loss of $1,700 whereas in the previous financial year we had a profit of $6,000,’ explained Museum treasurer Susan Tsicalas.
‘The major difference is the reuse wash station. At the beginning of the implementation of the wash station we put up our market prices for all stalls, though the foodies had a larger increase. Some of the stalls have since left us as they cannot carry the extra cost, also reducing our takings. At the last market in August we only had a net takings of $1,000. Out of that $700 went to the reuse wash station, $240 for the lease of the Crown land, advertising, and then nothing is left for electricity, garbage, water, sewerage etc. The market is supposed to support the museum and its programs for the community! It is killing us slowly. We are supportive of the initiative but it is too expensive,’ she told The Echo.
Council’s mobile dishwashing trailer is available to support event organisers across the Byron Shire. The initiative has also been named a finalist in the Outstanding WARR Project: Regional category at the 2026 Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards. The awards will be held in late October.
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