The popular FOGO system’s benefits include reducing the reliance on landfills. Photo: Government of Western Australia.
In an effort to reduce landfill waste and lift recycling rates, the Rockingham City Council has rolled out a new regimen for waste disposal.
More than 57,000 households in Rockingham now have access to the three-bin Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) system. The council has become the 25th local government to adopt the FOGO system.
The rollout has been supported by the State Government’s $20 million Better Bins Plus: Go FOGO program. The government said the program marked a major milestone in the state’s journey to being more responsible with waste, reducing landfill and increasing recycling.
FOGO is a large component of the government’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030, which intends to build a “low-waste circular economy”.
“FOGO is about giving Rockingham residents the tools to live more sustainably, right from their own backyard,” Rockingham MLA Magenta Marshall said. ”I know our community will embrace it.
“This is a win for local households and a win for the planet – FOGO will help us cut landfill, boost recycling, and build a cleaner, greener Rockingham.”
The scheme, which collects food and garden organic waste separately, enables local governments to turn household waste into high-quality compost and soil products used in everything from agriculture to landscaping and creating public spaces.
The system’s success depends on residents doing their part and using the scheme correctly, which has benefits for issues of food waste, soil health and the environment.
Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said: “Western Australians want to do the right thing, and the FOGO system makes that easier by turning everyday waste into something useful.
“It’s fantastic to see the City of Rockingham join the growing number of councils making the switch to FOGO.”
