Three Bin FOGO system
The Three-Bin Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) system was rolled out to the Town of East Fremantle in July 2019. The FOGO waste service provides a separate bin for the collection of food waste and garden waste to create a high quality compost.
The FOGO system provides residents with greater separation for their household waste, increasing diversion from landfill and avoiding organic waste going to landfill producing harmful methane gas.
2021-22 THREE BIN - WASTE CALENDAR
THE FOGO BIN
(Collected Weekly) 
Lime-green lidded FOGO bin :
All food organics including raw and cooked meat, bread, dairy, bones, shells, and garden organics. This bin will be composted so it’s important to keep plastic and glass out of this bin. All food waste is to go into your FOGO bin either in a compostable liner, wrapped in newspaper, or loose in the bin. Please make sure food is removed from packaging before being placed in the bin as any plastic packaging can contaminate the compost.
You can also place pet droppings and kitty litter either straight into the bin or in a compostable liner, however, biodegradable plastic liners are not to go into your FOGO bin; only compostable liners as they will break down naturally in the composting process.
Remember, cardboard, shredded paper, and newspaper can also go in the FOGO bin.
For a full A-Z on what goes in each bin A-Z Waste Guide or refer to the 2021-22 THREE BIN - WASTE CALENDAR
What is the difference between compostable bags and plastic bags?
Compostable = degrades in a natural biological process producing only carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass, with no visible or distinguishable toxic residue. Unlike plastic bags, compostable liners are made of organic fibers from corn and wheat, which break down much quicker than degradable and plastic bags. Other options to use in your FOGO bin other than compostable liners include newspaper or simply having your food waste lose in the FOGO bin.
Biodegradable - The term biodegradable doesn’t mean anything because everything is biodegradable eventually. The problem is, in Australia, regular plastic bags are being labeled ‘Biodegradable’. This misleads consumers to think these bags are made from plant matter and will return to nature which isn’t always the case. Unlike Australia in other countries, there is legislation to prevent the term “biodegradable” being used on products that do not break down naturally into the environment.
‘Degradable and OXO Degradable bags’ are made from normal plastic and have an ingredient which makes them break down faster. Plastic and degradable bags are made of petroleum and do not break down into organic material, instead, they break down into smaller particles of plastic.
FOGO Processing
How to Line your FOGO Caddy with Newspaper
THE RECYCLING BIN
(Collected Fortnightly)
Yellow lidded recycling bin: Recyclable materials including:
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Paper (excluding shredded paper)
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Cardboard (flattened)
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Glass (clean and empty)
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Plastic containers and plastic bottles (clean and empty)
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Aluminium cans (clean and empty)
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Steel cans (clean and empty).
All items should be clean, dry, and empty with lids removed and placed in the bin loosely.
For a full A-Z on what goes in each bin Click Here or refer to the 2021-22 THREE BIN - WASTE CALENDAR
What goes in the Recycling Bin?
For a Print Friendly Version Click Here
Items that don't belong in the recycling bin
For all local governments in the Perth Metropolitan Area, there have been changes regarding what can and can’t be recycled in your recycle bin.
These changes are part of an effort to reduce contamination and make recycling easier for everyone.
A clear and consistent list of items that go into your kerbside recycling bin will lead to cost effective and improved recycling outcomes for Western Australia.
For a full A-Z on what goes in each bin Click Here
THE GENERAL WASTE BIN
(Collected Fortnightly)
Your General Waste Bin is for:
- Nappies and hygiene products
- Soft plastics and packaging (bread bags, chip packets, lolly wrappers)
- Polystyrene
- All meat trays
- All coffee cups and coffee pods
- Long life cartons (Tetrapaks)
For a full A-Z on what goes in each bin Click Here or refer to the 2021-22 THREE BIN - WASTE CALENDAR
If you would like to recycle plastic bags and soft plastics:
Please take all soft plastics (except cling wrap) to REDcycle bins in major supermarkets (Woolworths and Coles).
What goes in the General Waste bin?
The General Waste bin is the last place for waste, General waste items are those that are inorganic and cannot be recycled.
Bin Tagging
The Southern Metropolitan Regional Council (SMRC) is implementing a bin audit and education program on behalf of the Town, as part of the rollout of the new 3-bin FOGO system.
The tagging program will be implemented in the City of Melville, City of Fremantle, and Town of East Fremantle. The program is aimed at educating residents about how to use the new system and providing them with individual feedback to improve their efforts at home. The program will focus on education rather than enforcement. Click here for further information