Many residents in the Southern Grampians Shire will shortly receive a third, lime green lid bin, as Council get set to introduce its compulsory Food and Garden Organic Waste (FOGO) collection service.
Council last September resolved to introduce the compulsory service to all townships currently in the compulsory kerbside waste service zones.
The new bins will be rolled out in the coming weeks, with delivery to occur in phases, beginning with the outer townships first, followed by Hamilton. Residents will also receive a kitchen caddy with their bin, to be used for collecting household food scraps.
Southern Grampians Shire Mayor Chris Sharples said the introduction of the service this year sees Council ahead of the curve when it comes to processing organic waste.
“We made the decision to introduce the three-bin system to increase our effectiveness in processing our organic waste following a series of audits. Since resolving on this decision in September last year, the State Government has now mandated that all Councils introduce a compulsory FOGO service as part of its circular economy policy”, Cr Sharples said.
“We know that more than 50% of the waste in garbage bins in the Southern Grampians Shire is organic food and garden waste - waste that doesn't compost in landfill. This material breaks down without air and releases harmful greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. With the introduction of the compulsory FOGO bin, this organic material will be composted and returned to farm land to improve soil health. Importantly, it also saves Council on costs associated with landfill charges, EPA levies and transport costs”, Cr Sharples concluded.
Bins will be collected fortnightly from July 1 2020, on the alternate week to recycling. They will be collected weekly throughout spring, to collect all the excess garden waste produced at this time.
All garden waste including lawn clippings, weeds, small sticks and prunings are able to go into the FOGO bin. All food waste, including raw meat, bones, egg shells, dairy products, processed foods, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea leaves, meal scraps and food spoiled paper are able to be put into in the FOGO bin. Pet waste and pet hair can also be included.
More information about the FOGO service is available at www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au/FOGO