Warrnambool City Council to conduct FOGO trial

A householder disposing of food and garden organics FOGO waste

Warrnambool City Council will undertake a food organics and green organics trial in 2018, Fairfax Media reports.

The trial was outlined in the council’s draft plan for 2017-2021.

As a result of the trial, rates in the municipality will increase by 7.8 per cent.

A council spokesman told Fairfax Media the increase covered weekly household waste collection and disposal, and fortnightly collection of recyclables.

“Street and footpath cleaning is also provided as part of the waste management charge along with litter collection in parks and gardens,” he said.

“A food organics and garden organics (FOGO) collection service will be trialled.”

The spokesman said the increased charge would fund the green waste collection trial and also covered increases in the cost of waste collection and treatment/disposal.

The trial, currently under development, is said to be likely to include 10 per cent of Warrnambool households, a fortnightly collection alternating with recyclables, dedicated bins and kitchen caddies and surveys and audits to determine the effectiveness of, and support for food and garden organics collection.

The spokesman said the draft plan identified a shift in emphasis towards the city operating in a more sustainable manner.

“While the council remains committed to operating in a financially sustainable way, it is also responding to the community’s call to do more for the environment,” the spokesman said.

“So among the initiatives planned is another investigation into the interest in, and viability of, collection of organic food and garden waste. Council is interested in diverting waste from landfill where possible. This is done through waste minimisation and recycling while a food organics/green organics waste collection also offers the potential for more waste diversion and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

“Over time the cost of collecting and treating or disposing of household waste increases. Council also plans to trial an organics waste collection and these costs are reflected in the increased waste management charge.”

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