By Mikayla van Loon
The lead up to the launch of the food organics and garden organics (FOGO) bins in the Yarra Ranges has been fraught with confusion and some resistance.
But the time has finally come for the launch of the new system, starting Monday 2 October, as households across the municipality switch to fortnightly general waste collections, making way for the weekly FOGO bin collection instead.
Yarra Ranges Council resource recovery team members Pete and Lisa have been working behind the scenes to make the transition as smooth as possible, while coming up with ways to reduce general waste.
One of the most asked questions they have received relates to the reason behind fortnightly waste collections.
“If you were to keep it as a weekly waste collection, one of the things is you’re not going to lead the behavior change because people will still continue to use the garbage bin every week.
“We’ve found the best outcome for reducing waste and landfill is a fortnightly collection. We’ve also found that the data shows us that pretty much half your bin and more is food waste and other recyclables that can achieve a fortnightly collection.”
Pete said this is evidenced by Nillumbik Council which has been doing this for 20 plus years, as well as a number of others in the north east of the state.
“As a collective state we have to do it by 2030 and the fortnightly collection, we feel, is the best outcome for reducing waste to landfill but also the waste reduction targets we’ve set and the state government’s also,” he said.
Despite having until 2030 to introduce this system under the State government’s circular economy policy, Pete said it has come into effect now to align with the end of the previous waste contract the council had.
“Most council contracts are in the vicinity of 10 years. We all don’t start on the same date or year. So our contract expired on the 30th of September this year. It’s been a nine year contract so hence why you’d do the introduction of change then.”
With the changeover coming into effect, Lisa said it is understandable that people might be somewhat unsure about how to reduce their waste for a general collection but it starts with noticing.
“It’s a good time to be having a look at the things you are actually putting in your rubbish bin,” she said.
“So as you’re filling up your rubbish bags during the week, what are the things that you’re putting into there? And are there any items that could be going into say the recycling bin instead or into the FOGO and making sure everyone’s sorting really well.”
Other options include buying in bulk or choosing items with recyclable packaging in an attempt to reduce soft plastics going to the landfill.
Knowing that nappies are a key concern of the community, Lisa said the council will be running workshops in the near future on reusable nappies to help interested families make the transition.
“We know that’s not going to suit all families to go full reusable but there could be opportunities that while they’re at home, they’re using a few reusables and then when they’re out, they’re using disposables and have a bit of a mix.”
For those in the urban areas of the shire, there is also the option of using the Lilydale based startup business Diaper Recycle.
Leading into bushfire season, Lisa and Pete said the introduction of the FOGO bin may also support people in reducing bushfire fuels on properties where it is appropriate instead of burning off “sending that carbon straight back into the atmosphere”.
“If you can, put it into your FOGO bin as much as possible, even if it’s not all of it, and you’re reducing some of it then that’s still creating that bit more of a balance and reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon that you putting up into the atmosphere,” Lisa said.
While most people across the shire should have received new bin lids and a FOGO caddy, some people may have missed out but are advised this will occur over the coming weeks.
Having been working on the roll out of FOGO for many months, Pete and Lisa said they are both excited by the waste reducing prospect of the new system.
“I’m excited because it feels like it’s that real push for people to make a change and there will be challenges that will come about but it’s a perfect opportunity for people to look at what they’re doing and make some changes,” Lisa said.
“I’ve got two young children. I want to see the world in a better state for them and if we just keep doing what we’re doing, it’s not sustainable so something has to change. This is a big part of that,” Pete said.
