Environment minister defends FOGO changes amid council, resident backlash

Western Australia's Environment Minister, Matthew Swinbourn, has defended recent changes to the state's Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) bin guidelines, amid backlash from councils and residents who feel the communication has been unclear.

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That was a decision that was led by the waste authority, and I think that's a decision that's been worked on over time, in order to ensure that FOGO remains a successful response to a waste strategy in our circular economy.

The updated rules, quietly posted online on July 10 and recently shared by local councils, now prohibit items previously allowed in green FOGO bins, such as used pizza boxes, tea bags, paper towels, and pet waste. The guidelines now specify that only unpackaged food waste, garden waste, and certified compostable bin liners are acceptable.

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We've obviously had incidents where we've seen significant contamination of FOGO in particular areas, particularly in the South West there was a lot of FOGO that was infected by plastics and things of that kind, so I think the Waste Authority has done that additional work [and] made the recommendations.

While the Waste Authority WA claims the changes simplify sorting for households, many residents are unhappy. Concerns are amplified by the fact that general waste bins are now collected only once a fortnight, and information printed on bins and caddies supplied to households is now outdated. Councils worry these adjustments will cause confusion and further resistance to the FOGO program, which has faced opposition over reduced general waste collection.

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The communications are now going out to say that we're going to be more focused on what goes into your FOGO bin, to ensure that FOGO, when it's processed, can continue to be used in a circular way.

Minister Swinbourn stated that the changes were led by the Waste Authority to ensure the success of the FOGO program within the state's circular economy strategy. He emphasized the need for purity in the composted waste, citing incidents of significant contamination, particularly in the South West region where FOGO was reportedly infected by plastics. "Strengthening the system, not trying to make it more difficult for people," Swinbourn asserted, adding that these are guides, not strict laws.

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That's really what that's predicated on, strengthening the system, not trying to make it more difficult for people.