FOGO

FOGO stands for Food Organics, Garden Organics and is a waste collection and processing service. Under the FOGO service you will be able to add food waste along with garden waste to your green-lidded bin for kerbside collection. The contents of a FOGO bin can be turned into compost, mulch and soil conditioner, diverting materials from landfill.

For a comprehensive guide of what goes into which bin, visit Materials A-Z – Recycle Right

Did you know that organic waste makes up almost 50% of what we put into our red bin? With FOGO, food scraps go into our green lid bin, reducing the amount
going into the red bin, and reducing what goes to landfill.

The less we send to landfill, the better for our natural environment. 

FOGO is an expansion of the existing three-bin GO (Garden Organic) service we already offer in our city, and is part of the City's Waste Plan. 

We are joining multiple other local governments that have moved to the FOGO program under the State Government's commitment to have all local governments in the Perth and Peel regions on FOGO by 2025.

We will start delivering kitchen caddies at the end of April, so you’ll be ready to FOGO like a pro when collections start on 30 June 2025.

You’ve been a great sort for years, separating your garden waste and recycling from your general waste. When FOGO collection starts on 30 June it will be time to take the last step in the three bin system - separating your food scraps.

We’re making that easy for you by delivering a kitchen caddy with some compostable liners, and a guide on how to FOGO, straight to your house. We will start delivering kitchen caddies at the end of April, so you’ll be ready to FOGO like a pro when collections start on 30 June 2025.

No, once rolled out, the FOGO collection will become the standard collection service within our City.

You will be provided with an indoor kitchen caddy (5-8 litres capacity) and certified compostable caddie liners (AS 4736-2006) that you can put your food waste in. When the liner is full, simply take it out of the caddy and pop it in your green bin. This will be collected during a weekly kerbside collection and taken to a waste management facility where it will be repurposed into compost, garden mulch and soil conditioner. 

Yes, an additional annual fee will apply for residents who want an extra red bin. It’s currently $224 per annum as at 2024/2025.

When FOGO commences mid-2025 your weekly collection service will remain unchanged.

If you, or someone you live with has a medical condition that generates more waste than usual, you can complete an application for an additional 140L red-lidded general waste bin. This form needs a declaration from your medical practitioner and if you qualify, the additional bin will be provided at no cost. 

Visit Form - Walk In Service or Additional Bin for Medical Reasons to download the application form, then return it to the City of assessment. 

Nappies still need to go in the red general waste bin. As this will now be getting collected fortnightly here’s some tips to reduce the odour from nappies:

• Wrap the nappy into itself using the tabs.
• Seal nappies tightly in plastic bags (you can use scented bags) before placing in the garbage bin.
• It's not always practical, but where possible, tip the contents of the nappy down the toilet putting it in your bin.
• To support our residents in moving away from single use nappies, we have developed a Sustainable Parenting Program that provides our eligible residents with cloth nappy and menstrual product subsidies.
• Reusable cloth nappies are a great option. Whether using them part-time or full-time, they can save space in your red bin and reduce the odours, their also great for the environment! 

Not initially, as high-rise apartment buildings have minimal green/garden space there is not currently an organic waste bin collection service for this type of accommodation/residence. If it is possible for the high-rise/apartment building to implement the FOGO service then a caddy will be provided.

We’ll begin delivering a kitchen caddy with some compostable liners, and a guide on how to FOGO, to households at the end of April, so you’ll be ready to FOGO like a pro when collections start on 30 June 2025.

Organic waste makes up approximately 50% of our general waste. As food waste will now be combined with our garden waste, we’re making some changes to what bin is collected, and when. Here’s the breakdown: 

• 240 litre FOGO Bin (green lid) collected weekly.
• 140 litre General Waste Bin (red lid) collected fortnightly.
• 360 litre Recycling Bin (yellow lid) collected fortnightly.

Your collection day may also change, check Near Me and enter your address for your most up to date waste collection information.

Making the most of your FOGO bin means you put less in your general waste bin.

Yes. There will be some changes to waste fees to accommodate the new FOGO service and these will be updated on the City’s website by the beginning of the 2025/2026 financial year.

When we start FOGO in mid 2025, the number of total bin collections from your property over a two-week period will remain the same. We’ll still be visiting you to collect your bins four times over the fortnight:

• 240 litre FOGO Bin (green lid) collected weekly
• 140 litre General Waste Bin (red lid) collected fortnightly
• 360 litre Recycling Bin (yellow lid) collected fortnightly.

The City’s waste management fees, which are included in your annual rates notice, will be modified according to the introduction of FOGO and will be updated on the City’s website by the beginning of financial year 2025/2026. Your property’s charges will also appear on your 2025/2026 rates notice.

If you do not have a green-lidded bin at your property, please contactus to arrange delivery of one on 9528 0333 or email customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au

Any other product besides certified compostable caddie liners (AS 4736-2006) will result in contamination of your FOGO bin. Biodegradable, plant based or plastic liners are not accepted in your FOGO bin.

Residents can also choose to use no liner and wash out their caddy after emptying contents into their green-lidded FOGO bin.

Landfills are anaerobic environments, meaning they don’t contain oxygen. When food and organic waste starts to break down in landfill, methane gas is produced and the organic waste doesn’t decompose fully. 

The FOGO program diverts a significant percentage of waste from entering our landfill, repurposing it into compost, soil conditioner and mulch, and overall reducing the harmful environmental impacts of general waste.

Most bin odours come from food and organic waste, that’s why we will be increasing your green bin collection to weekly. If you’re worried about your general waste bin smelling on the new fortnightly collection program, here’s some tips to keep the smell away:

• Store it in a shady, well ventilated area if possible.
• Make sure your bin lid closes properly and there are no cracks in the bin sides.
• Consider using odour neutralising products in your bin, such as bicarbonate of soda.

There are a number of parasites and harmful bacteria in dog poo / animal droppings that can survive the composting process. Using compost that has dog poo content is considered a health risk when used in a food garden.

Flies and maggots are attracted to protein that you may be putting into your FOGO bin. Here’s some tips to try and avoid getting maggots in your FOGO bin.

• Drain as much liquid as possible from your kitchen caddy before putting it into your green-lidded FOGO bin
• Freeze meat, fruit and vegetables and put them in your FOGO bin the night before pick up
• Line the outer rim of your FOGO bin with salt or vinegar
• Clean your FOGO bin regularly using warm water and mild soap
• Minimise smells by sprinkling your bin with vinegar or baking soda.

Tips for getting rid of maggots that may be in your FOGO bin:

• Cover them with lime, salt or vinegar
• Spray the top and inside of your bin with vinegar.