More than 57,000 households in Western Australia’s City of Rockingham local government area now have access to the three-bin Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) system, with the service officially kicking off today.
The rollout of FOGO in Rockingham marks a major milestone in Western Australia’s push to reduce landfill and lift recycling rates. FOGO is a key component of the State Government’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030, which is focused on building a low-waste circular economy.
The City of Rockingham is the 25th local government in Western Australia to adopt the sustainable waste solution.
“Our community is passionate about sustainability, and the introduction of FOGO is a major milestone in our waste management journey,” said Mayor, Deb Hamblin.
“This system will help residents divert more waste from landfill and contribute to a cleaner, greener Rockingham.
“FOGO will help our community improve the environment by turning food and garden waste into valuable products like nutrient-rich compost.
“FOGO is a smart, sustainable solution that benefits our environment, our economy and our community.”
The success of the program depends on residents sorting their waste correctly. Residents are encouraged to consult their local council’s guidelines to ensure they are correctly disposing of items in the appropriate bins. Keeping FOGO bins free from contamination ensures the compost produced is clean and useful for local gardens, parks, and farms.
The Better Bins Plus: Go FOGO program, administered by the Waste Authority, has helped fund Rockingham’s transition, supporting the setup costs and a comprehensive community education campaign.
“Western Australians are eager to do their part for the environment, and the FOGO system makes it easier than ever to recycle food and garden waste,” said WA Environment Minister, Matthew Swinbourn.
“It’s fantastic to see the City of Rockingham join the growing number of councils embracing this system.
“FOGO is a simple, effective way to reduce landfill, improve recycling, and protect our environment for future generations. When residents sort their waste correctly, FOGO can truly make a difference.”
