Photo: Person holding compost in their hand (EPA)
The Lifecycle of FOGO
FOGO is coming to the Sutherland Shire in 2026! You probably have lots of questions about the new service. Although Council is still investigating all the options, we have lots of information available to help you understand FOGO and how it works.
FOGO stands for Food Organics and Garden Organics. Once introduced into Sutherland Shire next year, you will be able to place your food scraps, along with leaves, plants and all other garden waste into your Green lid bin which will be collected on a weekly basis, as part of your regular waste collection service.
The aim of FOGO is to increase the diversion of organic waste away from landfill. When food is disposed of in landfill, it rots and becomes a source of methane, which is a harmful greenhouse gas that causes damage to the environment. Food organics that end up in landfill become waste instead of a resource.
When food waste is treated through a composting process, the food waste breaks down safely and transforms into a quality product used as compost and soil conditioner. The FOGO process created a product, rather than putting organic material in a hole in the ground which takes up finite space in landfill.
From kitchen to compost, follow along the journey of FOGO:
1. From kitchen to caddy: While preparing your food, you can toss veggie peelings, meat and eggshells into your FOGO caddy.
2. Once full, transfer your kitchen waste from the caddy into your Green lid bin.
3. Collection time: Your bin will be collected on your allocated collection day of the week as part of your normal rubbish collection services.
4. FOGO processing facility: Your waste will be taken to a FOGO processing facility where it is turned into nutrient-rich compost and soil conditioner, instead of ending up in landfill where it produced harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
5. Nutrient-rich compost: Now your food scraps have been turned into compost and soil conditioner they will be distributed back into the community, including onto soccer and football fields, as well as parks, gardens and farms that will help to grow more food.
Keep an eye out for how you can have your say on how FOGO is delivered here: Join the Conversation - Sutherland Shire Council