Ready. Set. FOGO! Countdown to new food & organics kerbside collection
Published 06 May 2022
Ready, Set, FO-GO! Moreton Bay Regional Council has taken the first step towards the introduction of a dedicated food organics and garden organics (FOGO) waste kerbside collection service across the region.
Mayor Peter Flannery said a business study was now underway to set a framework and action plan to deliver the new service from late 2025.
“All I can say to our many Moreton Bay communities is we’ve been listening and your requests for an additional kerbside service has been heard loud and clear,” he said.
“From the many conversations I’ve had with residents across the region, there’s certainly growing support for a convenient, household-based green waste recycling service.
“This business case will lay a strong foundation for the new service and take it a step further - with the capture, collection and recycling of food waste to be included, instead of allowing this valuable resource to continue to make its way to landfill, where it creates greenhouse gas emissions.”
“It will take a little time to establish a state-of-the-art FOGO recycling facility here in Moreton Bay, that meets the needs of Australia’s third largest local government area.
“It will involve leveraging available State and Federal Government funding to minimise the costs to Council and ratepayers, as well as ensuring our community has all the information it needs to make the most of this exciting new service.
“We will be doing all we can to fast track this priority project and expect construction to be underway as soon as 2024.
“But if you’re looking for a convenient way increase your recycling output in the meantime, then you can upgrade your recycling bin to a larger size free of charge by visiting Council’s webpage.”
Mayor Flannery said the new service would be the biggest innovation to local waste collection service since the introduction of kerbside recycling 30 years ago.
“Since those services started in the 1990s - with Pine Rivers introducing the first door-to-door service in Queensland - our community has enthusiastically embraced recycling and played a huge role in its success,” he said.
“When you consider around 58% per cent of our general waste bin is made up of garden (27%) or food waste (31%) - materials that can be transformed into quality compost or even energy - this is the obvious next chapter in Moreton Bay’s waste management story.
“By working together, it’s expected the new service will divert around 80,000 to 120,000 tonnes of organic waste from landfill each year, without any of us having to venture further than our footpath.
“This simple change to the way we treat our green and food waste will greatly reduce current demands on our landfill sites, as well as associated waste levy costs and the amount of greenhouse gases being produced.
“There are a number of FOGO trials underway in Queensland, and well as some fully operational services in other parts of Australia and overseas. This will provide us with a great opportunity to learn from the many different experiences to date and shape a convenient service that will deliver the best possible outcomes for our community.”
Mayor Flannery said the introduction of the service was not simply a case of providing households with an additional FOGO bin.
“The new service requires the construction of a dedicated recycling facility for processing and repurposing garden and food waste. That’s something that can’t just happen overnight and will require support from other levels of government,” he said.
“Importantly, this exciting project will create jobs both during and post-construction.
“Changing the way we think about and handle organic waste is a key strategy of both the State and Federal Governments. We’re committed to being part of the solution and keen to work with both levels to secure the financial support we’ll need to make FOGO recycling part of our day-to-day lives from late 2025.”
Mayor Flannery said council would take the Moreton Bay community along this new waste management journey.
“We expect to be able to share the business case with you later this year. We will also celebrate key milestones, and undertake a comprehensive education campaign, so you have all the information and tools you need to start FOGO-ing in late 2025,” he said.
In the meantime, Mayor Flannery encouraged residents to continue to recycle green waste at Council’s waste facilities.
“Council already receives and processes roughly 61,000 tonnes of garden materials annually at its waste management facilities. I thank our community for the role it plays in keeping this resource out of the general waste stream and out of landfill,” he said.
Mayor Flannery said residents could also take steps right now to make better use of their food and green waste through composting.
“There are some very easy things we can all do to reduce the organic waste we currently send to landfill,” he said.
For more information about FOGO: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/FOGO
For answers to frequently asked questions: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/FOGO-FAQs
To upgrade you recycling bin for free: mbrc.link/change-your-bin-size
For composting tips: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Waste-Recycling/Rethink-Waste/Composting