Green light for FOGO waste trial

The trial, which will run for a minimum of six months, will involve properties whose bins are collected on Mondays and includes the townships of Echunga, Macclesfield and Meadows as well as surrounding rural areas.

Under the trial, which is being co-funded by Green Industries SA, properties in the townships will have their green FOGO bins collected weekly while red and blue general waste bins will move to a fortnightly service.

In the surrounding rural areas, a fortnightly green FOGO service will be introduced for the first time, and red and blue general waste bins will move from weekly to fortnightly collection.

Yellow recycling collections in both the townships and surrounding rural areas will remain unchanged with a continuing fortnightly service.

Council’s Infrastructure and Environment General Manager Phil Burton said the aim of the trial is to assess the environmental, financial and community benefits of more frequent green waste collections.

“Adapting to climate change, reducing emissions, minimising waste and supporting the circular economy are key environmental objectives of Council’s Community Plan for Mount Barker district to become the most liveable region in the state,” Mr Burton said.

“Council has had a long-standing target to reduce waste sent to landfill by 20 per cent but progress has been limited and we need to trial innovative approaches.

“Estimates suggest this trial alone could reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by approximately 300 tonnes per year - or about 25 full garbage trucks.”

All households participating in the trial will be given a vented benchtop kitchen caddy to make it easier to collect and separate organic food waste.

Properties in surrounding rural areas located in the trial zone will also be issued a green FOGO bin for the trial.

Council will implement a comprehensive public education campaign to raise awareness among residents before the trial begins next March.

This campaign includes a series of community information sessions at:

• Echunga Memorial Institute on Wednesday 26 August at 7pm
• Meadows Memorial Hall on Monday 31 August at 7pm
• Macclesfield Institute on Thursday 3 September at 7pm

Council will also provide educational resources, and attend community events in the trial area, to increase residents’ understanding of the new waste collection schedule.

Items that can be placed in green FOGO bins include food scraps, garden organics, soiled paper products, pet waste and Australian certified compostable packaging.

South Australian councils that have already transitioned to a permanent weekly green FOGO collection include the City of Holdfast Bay and Port Pirie Regional Council.

Other councils currently trialling, or who have recently trialled, weekly green FOGO collections include Adelaide Hills Council, City of Burnside, City of Charles Sturt and City of Prospect.

Results from FOGO trials implemented by other councils have been positive with less waste going to landfill.

Council will determine if a weekly green FOGO service will be expanded across the entire Mount Barker district based on results from the trial.

For more information visit the FOGO trial web page.