FAQs about FOGO

FOGO helps reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfill. The service:

• diverts food and garden organics from landfill, reducing greenhouse gas emissions

• turns organic waste into nutrient-rich compost that can be used in parks and gardens.

The City uses a three-bin waste system:

• lime green-lidded FOGO bins are collected weekly

• red-lidded general waste bins are collected fortnightly

• yellow-lidded recycling bins are collected fortnightly, alternating with general waste.

Your FOGO bin is for food scraps and garden organics, including:

• fruit and vegetable scraps, meat, seafood and shells, bones, bread, rice, dairy products, eggshells, and coffee grounds

• prunings, small branches and twigs, leaves, weeds, and lawn clippings.

Do not put plastic, glass, nappies, pet waste, plant pots, soil, coffee pods, food packaging, pizza boxes, or compostable food service items in your FOGO bin. Only certified compostable caddy liners are accepted.

Read more about what can and cannot go in your FOGO bin.

FOGO forms part of the City’s standard residential waste service, which is funded through the annual waste service levy included on property rates notices.

Charges may vary depending on the selected bin service. See Bins, Recycling and Waste for current service options and charges.

FOGO can complement a compost bin or worm farm because it accepts materials that may not be suitable for home composting, including meat, bones, dairy products, and garden organics.

The FOGO bin forms part of the property’s waste service and should remain at the property if you move.

FOGO is available to residential properties, including apartments and other multi-unit developments. The number and size of bins, collection location, and whether bins are shared may vary between properties.

If you live in a property with shared bins, contact your strata or property manager for information about your waste arrangements. The City can also provide advice about site-specific requirements.

No. Green waste bags are no longer sold or collected as part of the City’s regular waste service.

Small garden organics can be placed in your FOGO bin. For larger amounts, residents can use the City’s pre-booked bulk green waste collection service or their annual green waste pass.

Local governments in WA are required under the State Government’s Waste Strategy 2030 to operate a three-bin FOGO service

Bins are collected on your designated collection day as follows:

• lime green-lidded FOGO bins are collected weekly.

• red-lidded general waste bins are collected fortnightly.

• yellow-lidded recycling bins are collected fortnightly, alternating with general waste.

Check the Waste Area Guide or use the Find My Bin Day tool to confirm your collection day.

Do not place loose green waste next to your FOGO bin unless it forms part of a confirmed pre-booked collection.

Each household is entitled to three pre-booked bulk green waste collections annually. Residents also receive one green waste pass each year, which can be used to drop off up to one cubic metre of green waste at the West Metro Recycling Centre, 60 Lemnos Street, Shenton Park, with entry via Brockway Road.

Find out more or book a collection on the Bins, Recycling, and Waste page.

The following tips can help reduce odours:

• Put your FOGO bin out every week, even if it is not full.

• Empty your kitchen caddy regularly.

• Do not overfill compostable caddy liners, and tie them securely to prevent breakage.

• Freeze odorous food scraps, such as meat and seafood, until collection day.

• Place dry garden organics at the bottom of your FOGO bin to absorb moisture and prevent food scraps from sticking.

• Keep bins in the shade with their lids fully closed.

• Allow lawn clippings and garden cuttings to dry before placing them in the FOGO bin.

• Clean your kitchen caddy and bins regularly, and allow them to dry.

A FOGO kitchen caddy is a seven-litre container designed to collect food scraps in your kitchen. It can be kept on a benchtop or in a cupboard.

The caddy can be used for leftovers, bones, out-of-date food removed from its packaging, tea leaves, coffee grounds, and other accepted food scraps.

Certified compostable liners can be used inside your kitchen caddy to make it easier to transfer food scraps and keep the caddy clean.

Tie the liner securely every two to four days and place it in your FOGO bin. Do not use plastic, biodegradable, or non-certified bags, as these contaminate the compost.

Store unused compostable liners in a cool, dry place to prevent them from breaking down.

No. You can put food scraps directly into your kitchen caddy and empty them into your FOGO bin.

If you use a liner, it must display the certified compostable symbol. Plastic and biodegradable bags must not be placed in the FOGO bin.

Certified compostable caddy liners are available from many supermarkets and hardware retailers.

Check that the liners display the certified compostable symbol. Bags described only as biodegradable or plant-based are not suitable unless they also display this symbol.

The three-bin FOGO system is the City’s standard residential waste service. Food scraps and garden organics are collected weekly through FOGO, leaving the red-lidded general waste bin for items that cannot be composted or recycled.

Collecting general waste fortnightly supports the City’s efforts to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Local governments in WA are required under the State Government's Waste Strategy 2030 to operate a three-bin FOGO system.

Nappies should be placed in the red-lidded general waste bin. Emptying the contents of the nappy into the toilet and securing the nappy in a plastic bag will minimise odours. Scented rubbish bags can help. If possible, store bins in the shade and ensure the lid is closed.

Research has shown that nappies smell progressively worse for four days, then do not smell any worse (or better) after that. A waste bin containing nappies smells no worse after 14 days than after 7 days. If you are still concerned, odour neutralising products such as cat litter, crystals or bicarbonate of soda can be used in your bin. Modern cloth nappies are a great alternative.