City of Parramatta is set to hit go on FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) with stage one of the new FOGO waste collection service starting in the week commencing Monday 11 November.
For 65,000 households living in houses, townhouses and apartment buildings with 30 units or less, this means the new green-lid FOGO bin will be placed alongside the red-lid garbage bin each week for collection.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said the new service is an environmentally friendly way to manage food and garden waste.
“This new service will allow residents to recycle their food scraps in a FOGO-friendly bin that is collected weekly,” Cr Zaiter said.
The service will help divert 85% of the City’s landfill by 2038 and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions turning waste into compost that can go back into gardens and parks.
Households that stick with the new 80-litre red-lid bin will see a cost saving of $42.69 in their rates and families that need more space can opt-in for larger bins.
The new service starting in the week commencing Monday 11 November includes:
- A 240-litre green lid FOGO bin for food scraps and garden waste collected weekly
- An 80-litre red lid garbage bin (previously 140 litres) for general waste collected weekly
- A 240-litre yellow lid recycling bin for recycling collected fortnightly.
Apartment buildings with seven units or more will be provided with shared 240-litre bins.
Eligible households will receive a FOGO starter pack including a 7-litre kitchen caddy and compostable liners to help with adjusting to the new service.
Council will deliver additional compostable liners twice a calendar year after the rollout with more free liners available for collection at the local libraries including PHIVE.
Stage two will kick off in 2025 for remaining residents who live in apartment buildings with more than 30 units.
To learn more about FOGO or for further assistance, call 1300 617 058 or visit Council’s website.
FAQs
When does FOGO start in the Parramatta local government area?
The new FOGO waste collection service starts in the week commencing 11 November. You can start using your green-lid FOGO bin from here.
How do I know if I am eligible?
FOGO will roll out to houses, duplexes, townhouses and apartment blocks with less than 30 units in this first stage. For apartment buildings with more than 30 units, FOGO services will commence in 2025.
Where are my new bins?
New bins have been rolled out to eligible households. If you have not received your new bins, please contact our FOGO team.
What do I do with my old bins?
Leave your old bins out on your usual collection day. Keep your old bins at the kerbside for up to 48 hours. If they are not collected within that time, bring them back in and put them out again next week on your usual collection day.
How much will this new service cost?
By default, households will see a $42.69 reduction in their annual rates with the new 80-litre red-lid garbage bin. Families that require larger bins can opt-in for a 140-litre or 240-litre bin.
What can I put in my FOGO bin?
Anything you can eat or grow can go into FOGO such as raw or cooked leftover food, fruit and vegetable scraps, meat, bones and seafood, eggs and dairy products, grass, small branches, leaves and prunings.
Where can I find more information?
Helpful resources including an A-Z guide, videos, community language materials and more FAQ are available on Council’s website at https://cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/fogo
