New waste collection service - FOGO

Total waste capacity across a fortnight is currently 760L.

This will change to:
 

Total waste capacity across a fortnight will increase to 880L.

With our new waste collection program, you’ll get increased capacity moving from 760 litres per fortnight to 880 litres per fortnight across the red landfill bin, yellow recycling bin and green FOGO bin – this is an increase of 120 litres!
 

All houses were part of the first phase of the FOGO waste collection service. You will have received a new set of bins to prepare for the FOGO waste collection service including a red lid garbage bin, yellow lid recycling bin, and a green lid FOGO bin as well as a green lid kitchen caddy, with compostable liners.

Unit buildings with up to 30 dwellings were part of the first phase of the FOGO waste collection service. 
If you live in a unit building with more than seven units, you will have been provided 240L bins to share.
Bins will be shared as follows:-

• Red garbage bin – 1 x 240L bin per 3 apartments (i.e. 80L capacity per unit)
• Yellow recycling bin – 1 x 240L bin per 2 unit (i.e. 120L capacity per unit)
• Green FOGO bin – 1 x 240L bin per 5 units

You will have received a new set of bins to prepare for the FOGO waste collection service including a red lid garbage bin, yellow lid recycling bin, and a green lid FOGO bin as well as a green lid kitchen caddy, with compostable liners. 
Unit buildings with more than 30 dwellings will begin their FOGO waste collection service in 2025-2026. You do not need to do anything further in 2024. Please note if your building is greater than 7 units / dwellings and has individual garbage bins and/or a limited communal waste storage area or other unique bin storage arrangement please have your body corporate or strata manager contact Council here: fogo@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au. Council can then inspect the property on an individual basis to work out a solution.

We want to make this change as smooth as possible for renters and landowners. But given the decision to opt for a larger bin will be reflected in the waste charges that go into rates, it’s only appropriate that decision is approved by the ratepayer. Please contact your real estate agent or landlord for them to purchase a larger bin option on your behalf. Whether you rent or own, with the introduction of the FOGO waste collection service, residents will put their food scraps in the green lid FOGO bin instead of the red lid garbage bin. This change is expected to reduce the volume of waste going into the red lid garbage bin by up to 40%. You’ll also get increased capacity moving from 760L per fortnight to 880L per fortnight across your red, yellow and green bin – an increase of 120L extra bin space.

• In late 2021 and early 2022, Council ran an eight-week community consultation campaign requesting feedback on the introduction of the government-mandated FOGO waste collection service.
   
• The campaign included information about sending food waste to landfill and the environmental and cost benefits of separating food from general waste.
   
• Four options for a new waste collection service were outlined and Council surveyed residents on which were acceptable and which was the preferred solution. 
   
• A variety of methods and channels were used to promote the consultation:
  • an LGA-wide letterbox drop
  • multiple social media campaigns
  • Council's e-newsletters (City News) and Participate newsletters
  • Council's website and media release
  • Local newspaper display ads
     
• On Monday 22 August 2022, Council was presented the survey and workshop results for consideration.
   
• Council resolved to approve ‘Service Option 3’ to be specified in the future waste services tender. Service Option 3 is as follows:
  • Weekly collection of general waste in a 80L bin
  • Fortnightly collection of recycling in a 240L bin
  • Weekly collection of food organics and garden organics in a 240L bin
     
• The reasons for supporting Option 3 were:
  • It provides a weekly collection, which was of high importance to the community in survey results
  • It recognises that on average, 46% of the contents of the red-lidded garbage bin is food waste and that this would be collected weekly in the green bin
  • It supports the City’s goal of diverting 85% of waste from landfill as per the endorsed Environmental Sustainability Strategy
     
• Councillors also discussed:
  • The need for significant education and communication prior to the roll out
  • Providing opportunity for households to request a larger bin if needed (at a small cost)
  • Providing a service which balances the needs of different household types
     
• To view the options presented in the survey, please visit Participate Parramatta.
   
• Not sure about your bin collection day? Check the Bin Collection map.