The third round of the New South Wales Government’s $46 million Go FOGO grants program is open.
The program supports councils across the state in the rollout of food organics and garden organics (FOGO) waste collection services to residents.
Councils can claim up to $50 per household to support the transition to FOGO, with additional payments available for areas with a high proportion of multi-unit dwellings.
Funds can be used to support the roll out of infrastructure such as green bins and kitchen caddies, education and staffing.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) also launched ‘Starting Scraps’, a free FOGO education program co-designed with councils and Monash University’s BehaviourWorks to ensure households can make the most of their new service.
Alexandra Geddes, NSW EPA Executive Director of Programs and Innovation, said the new resources are a fantastic way for councils to get the message out and help communities use FOGO well.
“FOGO recycling has great benefits for communities, councils, and the environment, but we know that asking people to change their habits at home can be challenging,” she said.
“This is the biggest change to household waste services since the introduction of the yellow lid recycling bin.
“That’s why we’ve worked closely with educators and behaviour change specialists to create resources that can help people feel confident to recycle their food and garden scraps.”
Geddes added FOGO is not only a great circular solution for food waste, but it also drives down emissions.
“For every tonne of food waste we divert from landfill, we’re also preventing 1.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide reaching our atmosphere,” she said.
Almost half of the state’s councils already have or are planning to roll out their FOGO service.
The New South Wales Government is reviewing feedback on a proposal to mandate FOGO recycling statewide.
Rounds 1 and 2 of the Go FOGO grants program allocated more than $16 million to 19 council areas across New South Wales, supporting recent service rollouts in the Inner West, Murrumbidgee, Leeton Shire and Lithgow.
Applications for round three are open until 19 November 2024.
For more information, visit: www.epa.nsw.gov.au
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