Penrith’s FOGO system proves the City is a leader in waste innovation

Thursday, 25 February 2021

Penrith’s innovative FOGO system – otherwise known as the green-lidded bin and kitchen caddy with free compostable bags - has proven that this streamlined process works.

After 11 years of delivering its successful Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) system to the community, Penrith City Council welcomes a plan under consideration by the Federal Government (Varga R 2021, ‘Kitchens set for a rubbish revolution’, The Weekend Australian, 20 February, p.3) to introduce kitchen scrap bins in households across the country.

Penrith’s innovative FOGO system – otherwise known as the green-lidded bin and kitchen caddy with free compostable bags - has proven that this streamlined process works.

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown OAM said Council is proud to be a leader in this space and encourages other councils and tiers of government to get on board.

“Penrith Council quickly realised the 3-bin system was the most effective, environmentally friendly way forward after research conducted in our own backyard over 15 years ago revealed opportunities to improve our waste management,” Cr McKeown said.

“We became the first metropolitan council in Australia to introduce the FOGO system and since 2009, 358,278 tonnes of FOGO has been collected, with 335,540 tonnes being composted and ultimately saved from landfill.

“I am proud to be Mayor of such a progressive, forward-thinking Council which has established itself as a leader in this space – and I strongly urge others to roll out the FOGO service.

“I must also give credit to the wonderful residents of our great City, who have embraced this innovative, environmentally responsible waste collection service and continue to separate their food and organic scraps week after week.”

In 2005, Council found more than 30% of the City’s FOGO material, which includes food scraps, garden clippings and other organic waste, went in red-lidded bins. This leads to environmental issues when it goes to landfill as FOGO material releases methane as it breaks down.

Council’s resource recovery rate has jumped from 21% to 66% since the FOGO service was introduced – 10 years ago in urban areas and one year ago in the City’s rural pockets - resulting in far more compost.

For more information about the 3-bin FOGO service, visit penrith.city/3bins

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Thursday, 25 February 2021.