Introduction to FOGO: Your Path to Composting
The Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) programme, an initiative designed to transform your kitchen scraps and garden waste into valuable compost. By simply combining food waste with garden waste in your green-lid bin, you're contributing to a sustainable future for our community.
The Three Kerbside Bins Explained
Bin capacity: 240 litres. Collection frequency: Weekly.
Use this for all your food scraps (including meat, fruits, and vegetables) and garden waste (like lawn clippings and prunings). Only Council-provided green caddy liners or certified compostable bags are to be used to ensure correct composting.
Bin capacity: 240 litres. Collection frequency: Fortnightly.
Accepts metals, cans, aerosols, glass bottles (no lids), plastic containers, cardboard, and paper.
· General Waste (Red Lid):
Bin capacity: 240 litres. Collection frequency: Fortnightly.
For all non-organic, non-hazardous materials that cannot be composted or recycled, including nappies, soft plastics, ceramics, and clothing.
Optimising Your FOGO Experience
- Getting Started: Households are equipped with a kitchen caddy and compostable bags for efficient food waste disposal. Use the compostable liner in your caddy, fill it with food scraps, and transfer it to your green-lid FOGO bin. Using compostable liners is recommended for hygiene but not mandatory.
- Where to Collect Caddies & Liners:
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- 135 Liverpool Street, Scone
- 34-40 Vennacher Street, Merriwa
- 47 Mayne Street, Murrurundi
Offices are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Liners meeting the AS 4736 standard can also be purchased at most supermarkets and hardware stores.
What Goes in Your FOGO Bin
- Acceptable Items:
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- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Takeaway food leftovers
- Meat and bones (both raw and cooked)
- Bread, cakes, pasta, and rice
- Loose tea leaves and coffee grounds
- Spoiled food (packaging removed)
- Eggshells, eggs, and dairy products
- Flowers and herbs
- Seafood (including shells and bones)
- Approved compostable liners
- Items NOT to Place in Your FOGO Bin:
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- Plastic bags and biodegradable bags
- Tissues, paper (not soiled by food), and cardboard
- Baking paper, tea bags, and coffee filters
- Food-soiled pizza boxes and paper bags
- Plastic packaging
- Garden hose, planting pots
- Building waste, rocks, soil
- Sharps, medicines, batteries, toys
- Pet waste, kitty litter
- Nappies, personal hygiene products
- Metals, glass, and other recyclables
- Clothing and textiles
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Paper towels (used for food waste collection)
- Take away coffee cups
Collection and Maintenance Tips
- Bin Placement: For collection, place bins outside by 6 am on the scheduled day, ensuring they're clear of obstacles and spaced at least 1 metre apart. Keep the bin's weight under 70 kg and ensure the lid can close fully.
- Maintenance: Regularly empty your kitchen caddy into the green-lid bin to prevent odours and spills, placing the bin in a shady, well-ventilated area. Small amounts of waste should be added to the bin weekly to avoid attracting pests and creating odours.
- Reporting Issues: If your bin collection is missed, or if your bin is damaged or stolen, contact the Council’s Waste Collection Hotline at 1800 312 934 for assistance. For stolen bins, please obtain an Incident Number from NSW Police prior to calling.
Ensuring Compliance
- Avoiding Contamination: Proper disposal is crucial for the effectiveness of recycling and composting. Contamination notices and educational stickers may be used to inform residents of non-compliance. Regular contamination may result in a temporary cessation of collection services.
- Addressing Contamination: To resume services after a contamination notice, remove the offending materials and contact the Waste Collection Hotline. To prevent others from contaminating your bin, consider placing it out late in the evening or very early on collection day.
By adhering to these guidelines and utilising the provided services effectively, residents of Upper Hunter Shire can significantly contribute to the community's environmental sustainability and enjoy a more efficient waste disposal system.