How fruit harvesting protects our planet: The environmental win-win
Earlier this month, on June 5th, we marked World Environment Day—a global reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the Earth. While major campaigns highlight actions we can take worldwide, did you know you can make a difference right in your own backyard? Fruit harvesting is an often-overlooked practice that delivers incredible environmental benefits. At Fruit Share Adelaide, we’re passionate about rescuing surplus backyard fruit and turning it into a win-win for both people and the planet.
Food waste and its environmental impact
Each year, Australians throw away an estimated 7.6 million tonnes of food, much of it still perfectly edible. Fruit, in particular, is abundant in backyards across Adelaide—lemons, plums, figs, and so much more. Yet too often, it falls to the ground and rots, contributing to landfill waste and unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions.
When fruit ends up in landfill, it doesn’t just go to waste; it decomposes without oxygen, releasing methane, a greenhouse gas over 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. This significantly contributes to climate change and undermines efforts to reduce our collective carbon footprint.
Wasted fruit also wastes precious resources—water, fertiliser, and energy—that went into growing it. From farm to table, a lot of effort goes into producing food. When we don’t make the most of what’s already available, we miss a vital opportunity to protect the environment and support our communities.
Harvesting fruit, harvesting hope
That’s where Fruit Share Adelaide steps in. Since 2024, we’ve been connecting volunteers with backyard growers who have more fruit than they can use. We harvest this overlooked bounty and share it with community organisations, ensuring it goes to people who need it most. By doing so, we’re reducing waste, cutting carbon emissions, and helping Adelaide’s communities thrive.
Our work helps tackle multiple environmental challenges:
Reduced food miles: Locally rescued fruit doesn’t travel thousands of kilometres to reach your table. By eating what’s grown in our own neighbourhoods, we slash transport-related carbon emissions and reduce our reliance on long, energy-intensive supply chains.
Minimised landfill waste: Every fruit picked by our volunteers stays out of landfill, preventing the methane emissions that come with rotting organic waste. This small, local action adds up to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Healthier soil, stronger ecosystems: Backyard growers can compost leftover peels, cores, and damaged fruit, turning them into nutrient-rich soil amendments that feed their gardens naturally. Composting helps to recycle valuable nutrients, boosts biodiversity in the soil, and reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers.
Simple steps for backyard growers
If you have a fruit tree, you’re already part of the solution. Here are some easy ways to make the most of your backyard bounty:
Harvest regularly: Picking ripe fruit prevents it from falling and rotting. If you find yourself with more than you can eat, share it with neighbours, friends, or groups like Fruit Share Adelaide.
Compost your scraps: Instead of tossing peels and cores in the bin, compost them! Composting not only keeps waste out of landfill but also creates a natural fertiliser that can improve your soil and help your garden thrive.
Plant wisely: Choose fruit trees that suit your local climate and soil conditions. Trees that are well-matched to their environment are healthier and require fewer resources to grow.
Join a fruit rescue effort: Volunteering with Fruit Share Adelaide or similar initiatives lets you meet like-minded people, learn more about sustainability, and directly reduce food waste.
Mandarin Harvest in McLaren Vale
A community effort for global impact
At Fruit Share Adelaide, we believe that small, local actions reach far beyond our city. Every basket of rescued fruit represents a step towards a more sustainable food system, one that values the abundance already around us instead of relying solely on supermarket shelves.
The beauty of fruit rescue is that it’s not just about reducing waste—it’s about reconnecting with the land and each other. Many backyard growers have fruit trees passed down through generations or planted with care years ago. Sharing that harvest not only prevents waste but also strengthens community bonds and supports local food security.
Since January 2024, Fruit Share Adelaide volunteers have helped rescue over 20,000kg of fruit that would have otherwise gone to waste. That’s thousands of kilograms of carbon emissions avoided, thousands of litres of water saved, and countless delicious, healthy meals for those in need.
World Environment Day reminds us that every action matters, no matter how small. By rescuing fruit, sharing it with others, and composting what remains, we each become stewards of the environment in our own backyards.
Giving plums
Winning for the environment and the community
Want to be part of this environmental win-win? Fruit Share Adelaide is always looking for volunteers, backyard growers, and supporters. Whether you have a fruit tree bursting with lemons or just a few hours to spare, there’s a place for you in our community.
Let’s work together to create a world where nothing is wasted. By turning surplus backyard fruit into a planet-friendly resource, we can protect the Earth and nourish Adelaide at the same time.
Visit our get involved page to volunteer
