What is FOGO?

Posted on: December 2, 2024

When putting out the bins across Perth and the South West, a fancy new word has been added to bin night conversation – “FOGO”. 

A NEW Three-bin System

FOGO is the name most people will use when talking about their Food Organics and Garden Organics bin. It’s part of the new three-bin system that helps West Australians get their waste sorted. Anything that used to be alive, like food scraps and garden waste, is able to be rescued from the general waste bin. This organic waste is then turned into compost, which can be used enrich the soil in parks, gardens and farms.

FOGO has been on the streets of WA since 2013. It goes a step further than the garden organics (or GO) bin that some people might be familiar with, which only takes grass clippings, plant cuttings, leaves, branches and other green waste from the garden.

The FOGO bin, with its lime green lid, is supplied to residents together with a yellow-topped recycling bin and a smaller, red-topped bin for general waste. Most local governments also provide a kitchen caddy and some certified Australian Standard compostable liners to help you sort your waste in the kitchen. The FOGO bin is typically collected each week, while recycling and general waste are collected fortnightly, on alternate weeks. 

---

What's the value of FOGO collections?

Compostable materials (i.e. food and garden organics) are estimated to make up somewhere between 25 per cent and 65 per cent of the waste WA households throw away each week. Once composted, these organics can be used to help improve soil quality  and reduce water use. A much better outcome than sending it to landfill!

---

So what goes in a FOGO Bin?

All food organics can go in this bin, including fruit and vegetable scraps, meat and dairy scraps, tea leaves and coffee grounds, bread, seafood and eggshells, leftovers and unpackaged out-of-date food. Outside, you can also add grass clippings, plant cuttings, flowers, weeds, small branches, twigs and leaves.

It’s essential to keep plastic, glass, nappies and anything labelled ‘biodegradable’ out.

One way to think about it is: If it didn’t grow, or it wasn’t alive – it’s not FOGO

---

How can I tell if my caddy liners are certified compostable?

Check for the seedling logo. To be certified compostable and have the seedling logo, the bags have to pass strict tests. Scientists check to ensure that it really does break down in a composting facility without leaving harmful residue behind.

Please do not use plastic bags, even if labelled as biodegradable. Biodegradable bags cannot be composted.

---

Where does FOGO go?

The contents of FOGO bins are generally transported to a nearby waste composting facility where they are turned into compost. By diverting food waste from landfill, greenhouse gas emissions and groundwater pollution risks are reduced. It also makes landfill sites less appealing to pests as there is less food on offer for them. But best of all, the compost is able to be used to help improve Western Australian soils and help plants grow.  

---

How is FOGO different to my home compost?

Although it can differ between local government areas, most FOGO bins accept items which aren’t usually compatible with home composting systems, such as bones, meat, dairy and seafood.

---

FOMO for FOGO?

 As of October 2024, 23 Western Australian local governments offer FOGO to 270,000 households. It is proving to be a GREAT way for householders and local government alike to do better than the bin and make landfill the last resort!

The State Government is committed to encouraging all councils in the Perth and Peel regions to provide FOGO services to households by 2025.

If FOGO isn’t coming to your neighbourhood soon, there are still many ways to turn your organic waste into garden gold. Take a look at how you can become a home composting champion!