If you’ve recently found a mysterious new bin on your doorstep, you’re not alone! Across Australia, councils are rolling out Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bins in a bid to tackle our mounting landfill crisis.

But as the FOGO deadline looms, many residents are scratching their heads, wondering what to do with this latest addition to their waste routine.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening, why it matters, and how you can make the most of your new FOGO bin.

Councils nationwide are accelerating the rollout of food and garden organics (FOGO) bins, but the initiative continues to divide public opinion—with one resident telling Yahoo News she was ‘a bit bemused’ when a small bin ‘just turned up at my door one day.’

Branxton local Ivy Boulton said she got ‘no warning’ when a countertop FOGO bin appeared on her doorstep in June.

While she’s willing to give the system a try, she’s unsure whether others will embrace the change.

‘It's just an extra step in what they already have in their routine with the red and the yellow bins... People are lazy,’ she said. ‘I think if everyone uses it, it might be enough to make a difference, but for as long as people are refusing to use it, I don't know how much of a difference it's going to make.’

Many residents in NSW have received new countertop FOGO bins without prior warning or enough information from their councils, leaving some confused about how to use them. Image source: @ivyboulton / Tiktok.

Australians divided over FOGO rollout

Ivy’s experience struck a chord online, with many expressing hesitation about using the new bin and voicing frustration over what they saw as poor communication from local councils.

Cessnock City Council, which covers Ivy’s area, did not respond to Yahoo’s request for comment about the FOGO program.

‘Worst idea they ever had,’ one woman said. ‘I’m all for recycling and separating rubbish... [but] with a bigger family our general waste bin only gets picked up every fortnight, and it's not enough for us, and [we] have more rubbish lying around smelling.’

According to Ivy, some locals have already admitted they’re not using the bin as intended. ‘Some have told me they use their countertop FOGO bin as a “door stopper,”’ she said, while another woman commented online, ‘I didn't even know this was becoming a thing!’

Not everyone is opposed, though. Some residents are fully on board with the new system.

‘[Mine] goes under my sink. FOGO is brilliant... our red bin waste dropped dramatically. FOGO is good, use it,’ one person wrote. Another added, ‘I like mine.’

Source: @ivyboulton / Tiktok.​

Since receiving her bin, Ivy has done her best to make use of it, but noted it’s been an adjustment.

‘I have been using it since I got it but it's taking some getting used to, and I need to make sure to empty it regularly because it does smell,’ she explained, adding that her household’s green waste ‘barely even covers the bottom of the bin.’

NSW targets 2030 for full FOGO mandate​

The FOGO rollout in Branxton is part of a broader initiative involving Cessnock, Maitland, and Singleton councils, launched in late June to align with New South Wales’ target of making FOGO collection mandatory by 2030.

‘FOGO is a game changer. We're proud to be delivering it across Cessnock, Maitland and Singleton and giving our communities a real opportunity to lead the way in reducing landfill and turning waste into something worthwhile,’ said Cessnock Mayor Dan Watton. ‘FOGO will have significant long-term benefits for our environment, economy and community.’

Under the mandate, food and garden waste will be collected separately from general rubbish and turned into compost. The NSW government hopes the initiative will cut organic landfill waste in half by the end of the decade.

Read more: Tired of bin mess and rising council costs? This tip could save your nose (and your nerves)

Key Takeaways

• Many residents in NSW have received new countertop FOGO bins without prior warning or enough information from their councils, leaving some confused about how to use them.
• There’s a mixed response to the FOGO rollout, with some locals praising the bins for reducing landfill waste, while others complain it adds extra steps, causes smelly rubbish, and doesn’t suit larger families.
• Some people admitted to ignoring the new bins or using them for purposes other than waste collection, highlighting the challenges in changing household waste habits.
• The FOGO rollout is part of a broader state government plan to halve organic waste going to landfill by 2030, with councils in the Hunter Region leading the charge despite divided opinions from the community.

Not sure what goes in your FOGO bin? Need advice on keeping it clean? Ask away, and let’s get the conversation rolling!

 

[PattiB]

I really don’t know why people aren’t embracing the FOGO system! We both think it’s brilliant & really no trouble at all. My one complaint is that our council doesn’t allow the use of compostable bags, and only empties the bin fortnightly. We empty our kitchen caddy into paper shopping bags, though in the warmer months we don’t put anything that will smell too much into it. Most councils supply the bin & caddy free of charge, but not Launceston, we had to opt into the scheme & pay a fee for the bin.