FOGO trial ends as Council reviews results

Bundaberg Regional Council’s FOGO trial will come to an end earlier than planned after collating sufficient data during the first 12 months.

During this time over 600 tonnes (66 garbage trucks) of organics were composted from 1,500 homes across Svenson Heights and Avenell Heights.

The initial trial period encompassed all seasonal impacts over an entire year, providing key data including:

• Less than 2% contamination in all FOGO material
• 51% less waste sent to landfill
• Bins placed out for service 63% of the time
• Commonly reported issues included flies, odour, excess liquid and limited space due to fortnightly residual waste service.

At present Council has not made a decision on the future of a Bundaberg Region FOGO service however the trial data and participant survey results will be used to help guide the best approach for the community in the future.

How will the trial finish?

Residents taking part in the FOGO trial have been directly notified of the decision to end the trial and are advised to put their FOGO bin out the night before the last service day and then keep the bin on the kerb until Council collects the empty bin after servicing.

Any residents who miss the last service can place the bin out the following week on the same day and Council will return to collect it.

Residents away during this period should contact Council for a specific bin collection day.

Council staff will be surveying the area to ensure all bins are retrieved however trial participants can keep the provided kitchen caddies.

Refer to the Bin Day Finder for further bin collection details.

Stay FOGO aware after trial end

All residents are encouraged to learn more about the impacts of sending FOGO to landfill and learn more about other options for its disposal.

Kitchen caddies are a great tool to support composting food waste at home and using local garden bag services or self-hauling green waste for free at Green Solutions Wide Bay or designated Council facilities can keep green waste out of landfill.

Any residents who find their recycling bin is often full can contact Council for a second yellow-lidded bin with the provision of the bin and annual collection service costing $60 per year.

For more recycling information and options, see Council’s Waste and Recycling Handy Guide.

Residents can stay updated on the decisions Council makes towards FOGO or similar waste services on Council’s website.