FOGO FAQs

FOGO stands for Food Organics, Garden Organics and refers to the weekly collection of food scraps and garden organics which is turned into compost, soil conditioner and/or mulch.

You will be advised of the specific start date prior to roll out however, the City anticipates the roll out to commence in September/October 2024. The service will be delivered to all households with an existing domestic rubbish and recycling bin service.

If you already have a kerbside collection with wheelie bins, such as single houses, grouped dwellings or villas, multi-unit developments (MUDs) you will move to FOGO in September/October 2024.

Commercial properties that currently receive a waste service with the City won't be receiving FOGO as part of phase 1.

There will be no cost to residents for the standard FOGO service. The rollout of FOGO is supported by the Government of Western Australia and the Waste Authority through the Better Bins program as well as the Better Bins Plus: GO FOGO Program.

The average rubbish bin contains about 50-60% organic waste that can be composted. All food waste, including fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, bones, dairy products, eggshells, bread, pasta, cereals, tea leaves, coffee grinds and table scraps can be put in the FOGO bin. Garden waste includes lawn clippings, garden prunings, leaves, weeds and flowers.

An easy way to remember is "If it didn't live or grow, it's not FOGO".

If you currently have the two-bin system, your household will soon have three separate bins: one for general waste, a FOGO bin for compost and a recycling bin.

• You will have a 240 litre lime-green lidded FOGO bin, for all your food scraps and garden clippings, which will be turned into high-quality compost. It will be collected weekly.
• You will keep your yellow-lidded 240 litre recycling bin, which will continue to be collected fortnightly.
• Your current dark-green lidded general waste bin will have a lid swap to lime-green and it will now become your FOGO bin.
• A 140 litre red-lidded general waste bin will be delivered to replace your current 240 litre general waste bin for general rubbish. In this bin, you can put items that can’t be recycled or turned into compost, which will be sent to landfill and collected on the alternative fortnight to your yellow-lidded recycling bin.

• You will also be provided with a kitchen caddy when your new bins are dropped off. The caddy will be inside the new general waste bin that is also delivered. Inside the kitchen caddy will be information to help you use your new bins.

• If you find your household is struggling with capacity issues after you start using the new bins, contact us to see if a solution can be provided to you.

You will always put out two bins each week.

Lime-green lidded FOGO bin (WEEKLY):

All food organics including:

• raw and cooked meat
• bread
• fruits
• vegetables
• dairy
• bones
• shells (eggs, seafood)
• garden organics

The contents of this bin will be composted so it’s important to keep plastic and glass out of this bin.

All food waste is to go into your FOGO bin either in a compostable liner or as it is. Please make sure all food packaging is removed and placed in the correct bin, as any plastic/foam packaging will contaminate the end product.

Biodegradable or any other plastic bags/liners are not to go into your FOGO bin. Only compostable liners are to be used as they will break down naturally in the composting process.

 

Yellow lidded recycling bin (FORTNIGHTLY):

Recyclable materials including:

• Paper (excluding shredded paper)
• Clean cardboard (flattened)
• Glass (clean and empty)
• Plastic containers and plastic bottles (clean and empty)
• Aluminium cans (clean and empty)
• Steel cans (clean and empty)

  All items should be clean, dry and empty with lids removed and placed in the bin loosely.

The following items should NOT be placed into your yellow-lidded recycling bin:

• Plastic bags and plastic film
• Nappies
• Meat trays and polystyrene
• Clothing and textiles
• Garden and food waste
• Gas bottles and aerosol cans
• Electronic waste and batteries
• Ropes, cables and hose
• Recycling in bags

 

Red-lidded general waste bin (FORTNIGHTLY):

General rubbish items that cannot be composted or recycled, such as:

• Nappies
• Hygiene items
• Polystyrene
• Plastic bags
• Soft plastics
• Ropes, straps and hoses

The following items should NOT be placed into your red-lidded general waste bin:

• Organic material (food scraps and garden organics)
• Recyclables
• Hazardous items such as batteries, aerosols and e-waste

For a full A-Z list of what goes in what bin, visit Waste and Recycling Options A-Z in the Waste and Recycling Guide page 7

A general ‘rule of thumb’ is that you will always be putting two bins out. FOGO will go out every week and your general waste and recycling bin will alternate.

When your new kitchen caddy is delivered, inside it will be the Waste & Recycling Guide with the map and calendar to assist with working out whether you are to put your general waste or recycling bin out with your FOGO bin.

No. They should all be placed in the general waste bin. Emptying the poo down the toilet and securing the nappy in a plastic bag will minimise odours.

Research has shown that nappies smell progressively worse for four days then do not smell any worse (or better) after that. So, a rubbish bin with nappies in it smells no worse after 14 days than it does after 7 days.

There are some simple measures you can take to minimise odour:

• If possible, tip the contents of the nappy down the toilet before disposing.
• Wrap the nappy into itself using the tabs.
• Seal nappies tightly in plastic bags (you may try double bagging or using scented bags if you wish) before placing in the general waste bin.
• Store your red lid general waste bin in the shade and out of direct sunlight if possible.
• Make sure your general waste bin lid closes properly and there are no cracks in the bin sides. If your bin is broken or cracked, please contact the City to request a repair or replacement.
• You may consider using general odour neutralizing products in your red lid bin, including cat litter, crystals or bicarbonate of soda.
• Place some odour neutralising products in the foot of a stocking and hang it on the inside of the red lid bin, tying the stocking to the bin lid handle.
• Consider using modern cloth nappies or reusable pads and menstrual cups.
  

It is unlikely there will be changes to your current collection day. If there are changes, you will be notified in advance.

FOGO will be collected weekly, while rubbish and recycling will be collected fortnightly (alternating). This will ensure there are never more than two bins on your verge at the same time. 

• FOGO bin (lime-green lid bin): weekly
• General waste bin (red lid bin): fortnightly
• Recycling bin (yellow lid bin): fortnightly

These types of plastics are soft and can easily by scrunched up into a ball. They include items such as:

• Plastic bags
• Lids on microwaveable ready meals (plastic film)
• Sweet/lolly wrappers and chip packets
• Cereal bags

These items can be placed in your red-lidded general waste bin. Cling film (cling wrap) can be placed in your red-lidded general waste bin.

If you are unsure about any other items and which bin to put it in check out Materials A-Z – Recycle Right.

If you do use bags, they must be compostable. You don’t have to use bags – you can put things straight in the bin.

Households will be supplied with a roll of 8L compostable bags (150 pack) and a 7L kitchen caddy at the start of the service to help your household use your FOGO bin.

Ensure your compostable bags have one of the following symbols for Australian Standards for compostable bags: 

 

No! Plastic bags contaminate the compost. Degradable and biodegradable bags are not suitable for composting either – the bags need to be compostable to break down in the organics facility and not contain the chemicals found in plastic. Please make sure they have the Australian Standard for compostable bags logo (pictured below).

Biodegradable bags still contain chemicals that will contaminate the compost.

Yes, your caddy can be placed in the bottom shelf of your dishwasher. Don’t forget to pop the lid off the caddy to avoid damaging the writing on the lid.

The FOGO bin will be collected weekly, so it shouldn’t smell more than your rubbish bin would now.

Your general waste bin will be collected fortnightly. Most things that cause smells in the bin can be put in the FOGO bin, with a couple of exceptions, such as disposable nappies.

You can use compostable bags within the kitchen caddy and you may also consider layering food waste with dry materials, like lawn clippings which may also help. Freeze particularly odorous food scraps, like seafood, and put them in the FOGO bin the night before collection.

Tips to reduce smells and insects:

• Use the compostable caddy liners before placing in the kerbside bin.
• Store bins in the shade or out of direct sunlight.
• Put your FOGO bin out for collection every week, even if it's not full.
• Put layers of dry materials such as lawn clippings in between layers of kitchen waste to absorb any smell.
• Keep food scraps that tend to smell, such as fish bones in the freezer, until the night before bin collection.
• Clean your bin with hot soapy water.
• Sprinkle baking soda, kitty litter (unused), vinegar or clove oil into the bottom of the bin (when empty).
  

This is something we are working on right now as we are still confirming the FOGO Processor.

Ensuring that it the FOGO waste is processed correctly and that it is distributed as compost is a priority for the City. Stay tuned for more details.

 

Contact our service provider, Cleanaway on 9449 3332 to discuss the matter further.

No, the kitchen caddy belongs to the property. Just like your recycling, general waste and FOGO bin - they also stay at the property when you move.

Changes in global markets and tighter restrictions on recyclables now mean that some materials previously accepted have now been excluded to create a standard approach to recycling across WA. This will help everyone better understand what goes in what bin regardless of what area you live in. The aim of these changes is to reduce contamination and create cleaner recyclables for processing.

There are three main changes to what you can now put into your recycling yellow-lidded bin. Aerosols, soft plastics and meat trays are no longer to be placed in the yellow-lidded bin.

• Aerosol cans can be taken to your nearest household hazardous waste drop off location for recycling https://m.recycleright.wa.gov.au/locator/hhw-disposal.html or as a last resort place aerosols in your general waste bin – when doing so, make sure that you follow the instructions on the can on how to empty the aerosol.
• Meat trays should be placed in your general waste bin due to contamination and the mixed use of materials used to make them.
• Soft plastics (scrunchable) can be placed in your general waste bin.

No, there will be no size or lid changes to your recycling bin and you can still recycle the same things as before.

Recycle these items:

• Plastic containers & bottles (clean, empty, no lids).
• Aluminium & steel cans (clean & empty).
• Paper (not shredded) & cardboard (flattened).
• Glass bottles & jars (clean & empty).
  

No. Once rolled out, the 3-bin FOGO service will become the standard collection service within the City and we encourage all households to participate to the best of their ability. Under the State Government’s Waste Strategy 2030, all Councils will need to move to a three bin FOGO system by 2025.

You are welcome to contact us and discuss any concerns or restrictions that might inhibit you from fully participating in the 3-bin FOGO system. We will provide plenty of support and information to resident to assist with a smooth transition. If you have special circumstances, please contact us for further information.

No, but we audit the contents of the bins when they arrive at their respective processing facilities. We will keep you updated with our achievements!

The City is not currently offering a FOGO bin service to commercial properties in the City of Kalamunda.

Yes, there will be a change from fortnightly total collection of 720L of waste to 860L. See the table below that helps to explain the change:

No, there will be an increase in fortnightly collection from 720L to 860L. See the graphic below that demonstrates this.

You’ll be doing a great thing for the environment. Plus, over time, you will save money. In future, waste will cost a lot more as taxes on landfill increase so by diverting organic waste from landfill, it won’t cost the City as much, saving you money in the long term.

Your FOGO bin can help you with the items that you don’t put in your compost such as weed seeds, excess lawn clippings and leaves, meat, bones and dairy products.  Some people don’t like to put eggshells in their compost as they take a long time to break down.

Compost heaps need the right blend of ‘green’ and ‘brown’ materials so if you’ve got excess of one type, you can add it to the green bin, knowing that it will still be composted.

You can also use your FOGO bin for green waste such as leaves, branches and garden materials. Branches that are too thick for the compost heap can also be put in the organics bin.

Worms do not usually like onions, citrus, eggshells and potato peels. You can put the things they don’t like in the organics bin. Feel free to continue burying your organic waste as it is great for adding nutrients to the soil. If there are some things that you do not bury, they can be put in the FOGO bin.

Chickens are great at turning organic matter into fertilizer. There are some things that chickens won’t eat so they can be put in the FOGO bin.

You will still only be placing two bins out on your verge for collection each week. Each week you will place your FOGO bin on the verge and the general waste and recycling bin will be put out on alternate weeks.

The new general waste bin is a slightly smaller 140 litre size with an additional footprint of approximately 50cm. If you are still struggling with space on your property, please contact us.  

Please ensure you separate organic food waste and place it in the FOGO bin and separate recyclable items and place them in the recycle bin or recycle them appropriately. Containers for Change accept a range of beverage containers. Refer to our Household Hazardous Waste  page to view where residents can drop household hazardous waste, e-waste and bulk waste.

If you have special needs, please contact us so we can assist you.