FOGO
What is FOGO?
FOGO stands for Food Organics and Garden Organics. At Burwood Council, it's a kerbside collection service in a trial area for food scraps and garden waste. Your scraps go in a green-lid bin and are turned into nutrient-rich compost that helps local farms, gardens, and parks grow.
By 1 July 2030, the NSW Government requires all single-unit dwellings, including those in Burwood, to have FOGO collection. Currently, Burwood Council is trialling FOGO in some streets to prepare for the full rollout. This ensures food and garden waste is recycled into high-quality compost instead of going to landfill.
How it works.
In the trial area:
- Put your food scraps and garden waste in your green-lid FOGO bin.
- Council collects it weekly.
- The waste is turned into nutrient-rich compost.
- Compost is used to improve soil and grow healthy plants.
Why it matters.
Greater Sydney is running out of ways to safely manage residual (red bin) waste and is predicted to run out of landfill space by 2030 or earlier. Nearly half of household waste is food, and by putting it in your green FOGO bin you’re turning scraps into something useful, which:
- Reduces landfill waste.
- Prevents harmful methane gas from food decomposition.
- Creates valuable compost for local farms, gardens, and parks.
Current FOGO status in Burwood.
A trial is underway for selected households in Croydon and Burwood Heights. The trial has been extended to refine the service and prepare for a full rollout by 1 July 2030.
What Can and Cannot go in my green FOGO bin
FOGO Bin Guide
Food Waste
All fruit & vegetable scraps
Meat, fish & seafood (bones, skin, scraps)
Dairy products (cheese, yogurt, milk)
Bread, pasta, rice, cereal, grains
Egg shells
Coffee grounds (no pods)
Tea leaves
Nuts & shells
Cooking oils & fats
Expired food (no packaging)
Garden Waste
Grass clippings & leaves
Flowers & weeds
Branches & prunings (<10cm diameter)
Plant cuttings
Hay or straw
Twigs & sticks (<10cm)
Other
Compostable liners with Australian Standard AS4736 (for lining caddy only)
These Don't Go In FOGO
Plastic bags (except AS4736 compostable liners)
Pet poo & kitty litter
Nappies (even compostable)
Tea bags
Paper towels & tissues
Pizza boxes & cardboard
Food in packaging/containers
Wipes (even compostable)
Glass bottles & jars
Metal cans & tins
Plastic containers
Milk & juice cartons
Newspapers & magazines
Building materials
Chemicals & paints
Medical waste
Textiles & clothes
Soil, sand & rocks
What about my Red bin?
Do not put food and garden waste in the red bin. These belong in the green FOGO bin. Diverting this material helps reduce waste going to landfill.
Requests for a larger red bin can be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you are in the FOGO Trial area and require a 240L red bin, please contact Council’s Customer Service on 9911 9911.
Do I have to use FOGO?
By 1 July 2030, using FOGO will be mandatory for all single-unit homes in NSW, including Burwood. If you live in a FOGO trial area, you should already be placing your food and garden waste in the green FOGO bin instead of the red bin. This helps reduce waste going to landfill and turns it into high-quality compost. All residents will need to take part once FOGO is rolled out across Burwood.
I don’t live in the trial area can I use FOGO?
No. Only households in the trial area should currently use the green FOGO bin. If you live outside the trial area, do not put food waste in the green bin. Council will let you know when FOGO becomes available in your street.
Council is in the early stages of planning to expand the service across the entire Burwood LGA to meet the NSW Government’s 1 July 2030 mandate. If you have questions or want to learn more about FOGO, contact the City Planning Team.
Phone: 02 9911 9911
Email: council@burwood.nsw.gov.au
Does Council provide kitchen caddies and liners as part of the FOGO service?
Council issued caddies to all households at the start of the FOGO Trial period and continues to provide liners. You can collect a roll of kitchen liners from Burwood Library at the Council Customer Service desk.
What streets does the FOGO Trial Area cover?
This map shows the boundary for the FOGO Trial Area. Residents within this area are eligible to participate in the trial.
Tips for using FOGO
- Use a compostable liner (AS-4736) to line your kitchen caddy.
- Freeze strong-smelling scraps and place in the green bin the night before collection.
- Rinse messy containers to prevent smells.
- Keep bins in a shaded area.
Have your say with FOGO
If you would like to provide feedback and be involved with FOGO in Burwood then take the FOGO survey on Participate Burwood.
Contact Burwood Council about FOGO
If you have questions or want to learn more about FOGO, contact the City Planning Team.
Phone: 02 9911 9911
Email: council@burwood.nsw.gov.au