FOGO fail sees major council backflip on new bin system despite nationwide trend

There has been a steady stream of councils introducing Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bins across the country and despite many Aussies grumbling at the change, most are adapting in the name of the environment. However, last month one council officially turned its back on the scheme, calling FOGO a 'no go'.

After trialling the bins across the "four seasons" of a year in select locations, Bundaberg Regional Council in Queensland has decided to remove the bins and specified waste removal services after the community pushed back against the scheme.

Mayor Helen Blackburn told Yahoo News there were "common grievances" among the more than 100,000 residents within the local government area (LGA) which ultimately led to it being cut.

"Common grievances expressed by residents in trial sites included an increase in flies, odour associated with the FOGO and residual waste bins, and liquid from decomposition in the FOGO bin," she explained.

Concerns were also raised about the "cost of a future service" and "lack of space for household waste" including nappies and personal hygiene items.

Trials occurred in two locations, in Svensson Heights and Avenell Heights, however come November 21 nowhere in the LGA will be involved in a FOGO scheme.

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Residents will need to travel to drop-off sites to discard organics

If residents wish to continue discarding their organic waste in a specified way, they will now be required to travel to designated drop-off sites. There is a number of waste facility sites over the more than 6,000 square kilometre LGA and the majority are free, however two located in Bundaberg and Qunaba require payment.

"Residents are encouraged to compost at home," the mayor said.

In response to the change adopted by Bundaberg Regional Council, the CEO of the Australian Council of Recycling told Yahoo News the best chance of proper recycling is for residents to "separate waste at the source".

"Providing an avenue where you can separate your food and garden organics at the source will help deliver the best recycling outcome," Suzanne Toumbourou said.

Aussies divided over FOGO farewell

After announcing the end of the FOGO trial in Bundaberg on social media, Mayor Blackburn received a wave of feedback and it was mixed. Many expressed their gratitude that the scheme wasn't going ahead, while others were worried of the impact of the decision.

"We loved our garden waste FOGO bin and filled it every fortnight with weeds, unwanted garden waste and palm fronds. We still compost our own food scraps," one resident wrote. "Every family should have a compost patch and a small garden if possible," another suggested.

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