FOGO helps households divert large amounts of food and garden waste from their general waste bins, easing pressure for those who struggle to fit everything into their weekly pickup. It also supports residents who can’t compost at home or who aren’t confident doing so, offering a simple way to recycle organic material responsibly.

To help keep our compost streams clean and running smoothly, here’s a quick refresher on what can and can’t go in your green?lidded FOGO bin.

What can go in your FOGO bin

Residents can place any organic waste in their 240?litre FOGO bin, including items that normally can’t be composted at home. Accepted materials include:

• All food scraps including vegetables, fruit, seafood (including shells), meat, bones, dairy, eggshells, teabags (except pyramid types), coffee grounds, and small amounts of oils or fats.
• Garden waste like grass clippings, leaves, bark, twigs, plants, weeds and diseased plants – all safely processed at high temperatures.
• Paper and cardboard including shredded paper, tissues, paper towels, napkins, cotton wool balls (100% cotton), and food?soiled cardboard such as used pizza boxes.
• Personal cuttings like hair from grooming or haircuts, plus nail clippings.
• Pet waste such as pet hair, organic/natural kitty litter, pet poo, and soiled paper from bird cages.

What cannot go in FOGO

The golden rule remains clear: If it didn’t live or grow, it’s not FOGO.

Residents should not place any of the following in the green?lidded bin:

• Plastics of any kind, including biodegradable or compostable plastic bags
• Nappies
• Fabric or clothing
• Dryer lint or vacuum cleaner contents
• Household items such as broken crockery, plates, cups or furniture
• Plastic takeaway containers
• Hazardous waste, including asbestos
• Thick branches that can’t easily break down
• Anything accepted in your recycling bin, such as glass, metal or clean paper/ cardboard

Thank you for doing your part to keep our FOGO clean.