FOGO

Question 1

Explain FOGO

Answer 1

Food Organics Garden Organics is a scheme devised to address the 1.1 million tonnes of municipal solid waste generated in 2019-20.

The state government has invested $20 million in funding through the FOGO program to encourage local governments to adopt a three-bin system (general waste, co-mingled recycling, FOGO).

Uptake from local governments is slow, with only 16 of the metro area’s 33 local government areas adopting it in 2022.

Question 2

Environmental Sustainability

Answer 2

Once enough infrastructure is in place, the recovery rates of FOGO will significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

It will prevent the expansion of landfill spaces and reduce methane emissions.

Recovered Organics can be used with fertilisers (30% recovered material).

However, high contamination levels can negatively impact benefits.

Question 3

Economic Sustainability

Answer 3

Establishing FOGO services requires up-front and ongoing costs, however the reduction in waste sent to landfill helps reduce landfill-related costs in the future.

The government has provided funding of $20 million to encourage local governments to swap to the three-bin system (a cost of $42 per household per year to residents).

Question 4

Social Sustainability

Answer 4

People who collect food waste in a kitchen caddy are more aware of the waste they are generating, and may become more open to messages on food waste avoidance strategies.