Changes to FOGO bins to prevent contamination

Topic: Composting

Friday, 7 August 2026, at 7:19 am

The Waste Authority in WA has updated its rules on what can go into FOGO bins.

In short:

The environment minister in WA has defended changes to what can be put in green FOGO bins.

Some items that were allowed before, like pizza boxes and pet waste, are no longer allowed.

Matthew Swinbourn said it's crucial to keep the waste pure, as there have been many cases of contamination.

The WA environment minister has defended the new rules for FOGO bins, despite some people being unhappy.

FOGO stands for food and garden waste, which is put in a green bin to be composted.

The state government has changed the rules on what can go into these bins, removing some items that were allowed before.

Now, only certain food waste, garden waste, and special bin liners can go into the FOGO bins.

The Waste Authority says this will make it easier for households to sort their waste.

However, some people are worried that the changes were not communicated clearly, and this might cause confusion.

Some residents are unhappy that their general waste bins are now only emptied every two weeks.

The information on the bins and kitchen caddies is now incorrect, which could cause more confusion.

Councils are worried that these changes will upset people who are already not happy with the FOGO program.

Changes prevent contamination: minister

Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn has defended the changes.

He said the decision was made to ensure the FOGO system works well and is part of the circular economy.

Mr Swinbourn said it's crucial to keep the waste pure, as contamination has been found in the system.

He said the changes will help make sure the compost is free of contaminants.

There have been cases where FOGO was contaminated with plastics and other items, which is a problem.

The minister said the goal is to strengthen the system, not make it harder for people.

These changes are guides, not laws, and are meant to help local governments with their FOGO programs.

Some information on kitchen caddies is now out of date.

Different local governments manage FOGO in their own way, and it's up to them to update the information.

The state government will support FOGO programs that follow these new guidelines.

Council responsible for updating advice

The minister said local governments are responsible for updating the information on the bins.

Some local governments are already following the new guidelines for FOGO collection.

The WA waste authority has changed the rules for FOGO bins, which might confuse people.

The minister said it's up to local governments to decide whether to update the stickers on the bins.

He also said that collecting general waste weekly is not a good idea.

The goal of the FOGO program is to reduce waste and keep it out of landfills.

Contamination in FOGO streams is a problem, as it means the waste has to go to landfills instead.

The minister wants to make sure the FOGO scheme is strong and works well.