By Oliver Lees
Macedon Ranges council has committed to fighting the war on waste, following an announcement that their Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) service will soon be rolled out shire-wide.
The council started its roll-out of FOGO bins in February 2020 and intends to have it completed by July.
According to waste management company Cleanaway, FOGO waste includes all food waste and green waste from households. This excess often includes nutrient-rich materials that can be recycled into beneficial soil conditioners and mulch.
In the Macedon Ranges council area, FOGO material helps local school gardens grow, as council contributes its collection during Compost Awareness Week, which runs from May 2 to May 8.
Macedon Ranges assets and operations director Shane Walden said the program roll-out will help divert tonnes of material from landfill.
“Since the FOGO bins launched, over 9257 tonnes of organic material has been saved,” he said.
“A recent audit of rural general waste bins showed that 45 per cent of the contents were either compostable or recyclable through correct sorting into the right bin.
“The shire-wide roll-out of FOGO ensures all households can dispose of food and garden organics in an environmentally friendly way.
“FOGO services can compost things that worms and chickens don’t like to eat.
“This includes things such as meat, bones, seafood, rose prunings, and weeds – including noxious weeds – pet droppings, compostable kitty litter, compostable packaging and more.”
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that nearly all Australian households recycle (97 per cent), but that only 35 per cent ‘always compost’.
Households new to the FOGO service will receive a letter with details about the service in the coming weeks, including the date for bin deliveries.
For more information visit, mrsc.vic.gov.au/FOGO, or contact council on 5422 0333.
