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3 Bin FOGO System

About the 3 Bin FOGO System

The Shire of Harvey operates a 3 bin system:

  • Food organics, garden organics or FOGO (lime body and lidded bin)
  • Recyclables (yellow lidded bin)
  • General waste (red lidded bin).

FOGO stands for Food Organics, Garden Organics. Once collected the organics material is turned into compost at the Banksia Road Organics Facility.

A handy way to think about FOGO is ‘If it didn’t live or grow, it isn’t FOGO’.

What goes in each bin?

Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) bin (lime body and lid)

Organic waste that can go into your FOGO bin include:

  • Raw and cooked meat, including bones and shells
  • Bread
  • Dairy products
  • Garden organics
  • Pet droppings and kitty litter
  • Card board, paper, shredded paper, magazines, cereal boxes, brochures, junk mail. 

The following items should not be placed into your FOGO bin:

  • Plastic
  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Plastic foam packaging
  • Food packaging
  • Clothing (textiles).

Compostable liners

All food waste is to go into your FOGO bin either in a compostable liner (supplied by the Shire in 2021-22), wrapped in newspaper kept loose in the bins.  Only compostable liners provided by the Shire are to be used, as they will break down naturally in the composting process. Find out about compostable kitchen caddy bags, including how to redeem additional bags.

Recycling bin (yellow lid)

Recyclables that can go into your recycling bin include:

  • Paper (excluding shredded paper)
  • Cardboard (flattened)
  • Glass (clean and empty)
  • Plastic containers and plastic bottles (clean, empty, no lids)
  • Aluminum cans (clean and empty)
  • Steel cans (clean and empty).

All items should be clean, dry and empty with lids removed and placed in the bin loosely. Cardboard and Paper can also go into the FOGO

The following items should not be placed into your recycling bin:

  • Plastic bags and plastic film
  • Nappies
  • All types of meat trays and polystyrene
  • Clothing and textiles
  • Garden and food waste
  • Gas bottles and aerosol cans
  • Electronic waste and batteries
  • Ropes, cables and hose
  • Recycling in bags
  • Tetra Pak and long-life cartons.
General waste bin (red lid)

Items that can go into your general waste bin include:

  • Nappies
  • Hygiene items
  • Polystyrene
  • Plastic bags
  • Soft plastics
  • Ropes, straps and hoses
  • General rubbish items.

The following items should not be placed into your general waste bin:

Recycle Right App

Not sure which bin to put it in? Download the Recycle Right app.

The Recycle Right app is a simple and convenient way of finding out which bin to put it in.

  • Materials A – Z – the detailed A – Z list of specific items tells you how to dispose of them properly. 
  • Find My Nearest function allows you to locate your nearest drop off or recycling facility for items such as batteries, car parts, building/demolition waste, hazardous household waste and more.
  • Bin Day Reminder tool allows you to set reminders, so that you never forget which bin goes out on what day for your area.

You can download the free app for your iPhone, iPad or Android device by searching ‘Recycle Right’ in the App Store or Google Play.   

Bin repairs and replacements

To order new bins for your property please complete the Request to Order Bins Form and return it to the Shire.

If your bin is damaged or stolen please contact us to arrange a replacement bin.

Frequently asked questions

What happens to the organic waste?

A large proportion of the material collected in bins is high in nitrogen, so mulched green waste which is high in carbon is added to the mix and the composting process begins. windrows are created and aerated to minimise odours and speed up the composting process.

After testing, most of the product is sold in bulk. Some compost is taken to the Stanley Road Waste Management Facility where it is sold by the scoop. Call 9797 2404 for pricing of our organic compost phone.

Why have we gone to a three-bin system?

The FOGO system is the WA Waste Authority’s preferred kerbside collection system with the system proven to divert more than 65 per cent of waste from landfill per year.

What day will my rubbish be collected? What if I already compost at home?

That’s great! The FOGO bin can complement your compost as it can take the things that your compost can’t eg. Weeds, seeds, extra lawn clippings and leaves, meat and/or bones and dairy products.

Compost needs the right blend of ‘green’ and ‘brown’ materials so if you’ve got excess of one type you can add it to the FOGO bin knowing that it will still be composted.

Branches that are too thick for the compost can also be put in the organics bin.

Worms can be fussy eaters and often do not like onions, citrus, potato peels, bread products and eggshells. You can put the things they don’t like in the FOGO bin.

Chickens are great at turning organic matter into fertilizer. There are some things that chooks won’t eat which can instead be put in the FOGO bin.

Where can I get more compostable bags?

Residents are provided with 150 bags, which should be enough to supply a household for financial year. Attached to the annual Waste Calendar is a voucher which can be utilised in January. Extra bags may also be purchased at the Shire Offices or your local supermarkets.

When purchasing more bags please ensure they are certified compostable bags with the AS4736 logo.

What if I moved into a rental property that didn’t have a kitchen caddy?

You will need to speak to the rental agent or property owner as it is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that the kitchen caddy is left at the property.

How can I keep my caddy from smelling?

Here are some hints to help keep your caddy fresh for longer:

  • Tie the caddy liner up securely
  • Line the caddy with newspaper or paper towel
  • Freeze meat and seafood scraps until closer to the collection
  • Allow hot substances to cool
  • Dispose of your bin liner when you have placed wet food scraps into it.
What can I do if my FOGO or general waste bin smells?
  • Wash your caddy regularly.
  • Place a layer of cardboard at the base of the bin.
  • Using the compostable bags supplied by the Shire for food scraps helps.
    reduce odours, or you can also wrap them in a newspaper. Layering food waste with dry materials, like lawn clippings and paper, can help.
  • Bin bombs – purchase from supermarket or hardware stores.
Do I need to put everything that goes into my FOGO bin in the compostable bags?

No, you can place any food or garden organics loose into your FOGO bin. You do not need to place them in compostable bags. We encourage you to use the compostable bags in your kitchen caddy, and any garden or lawn clippings can be placed straight in the FOGO bin. In fact, the compost likes it when you mix the food and garden waste together. You could place your cardboard and garden waste at the base of your bin and your food waste on top to absorb the liquid.

Do you require assistance with medical waste?

If you or a member of your family has a long-term medical condition that produces medical waste that creates an unhygienic environment, the Shire of Harvey may be able to assist with a weekly general waste collection. Please complete the Weekly General Waste Agreement Form and return to the Shire.

More information and contacts

For more information about refuse sites and transfer stations, please contact us.

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