Can I use Biodegradable bags in my Kitchen Caddy and FOGO bin?
No, Bags and Caddy liners are not accepted in the FOGO bins. Even if they are compostable, they take too long to break down.
Can the size of the bin be changed?
Not during the trial.
What will the trial cost?
The FOGO service provided in the trial is free.
What do I need to remember when I put my FOGO bin out?
NO PLASTIC BAGS in caddys please. Please only use newspaper or paper towel in bin and caddy.
What can I put in the FOGO bin?
All food scraps and garden waste can go into the FOGO bin (Please see a full A-Z list(PDF, 123KB) of what can go into the FOGO bin)
How do I get rid of the smell in my bin?
- Add dry materials like newspaper, dry leaves or grass in between layers of food scraps to reduce odour.
- Store bins in the shade and out of direct sunlight if possible.
- Keep lids on FOGO bins and caddys shut tight to prevent flies from entering the bin and laying eggs in the waste.
- Spray insect spray around the outside of the bin / lid if the flies become a problem.
- Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda in the bottom of the bins, this is a natural odour neutraliser.
- Rinse bins after collection with water and a dash of te tree oil or lemon juice.
- Freeze meat, seafood and other smelly food scraps and put them in the bin the night before collection.
Do I have to have the bin and be part of the trial? Yes, it costs nothing for you to have it. You don't need to put your bins out for collection if you compost everything at home yourself already.
Why are we conducting a trial?
Recycling reforms introduced by the State Government in 2020 require all 79 local government areas to provide a new disposal stream for food and garden organics and glass by 2030. Previous audits undertaken by the council on kerbside waste bins have shown that over 50 percent of all waste bin content is organic materials.
What does the trial involve?
The St Arnaud Kerbside FOGO trial will allow provision of a 240-litre green bin for residents within
selected township areas(PDF, 452KB) for disposal of garden organics and food organics (please see
the flyer on this page(PDF, 123KB) about what NOT to put in your FOGO bin). Bins will initially be collected fortnightly, on a Monday and a Tuesday.
Please note that an ongoing audit of bins and continuing community engagement with participants is planned to assist in minimising waste, reducing contamination and providing an optimal service to best fit with your needs.
Why St Arnaud?
Ratepayers of the 1170 properties selected in St Arnaud to participate in the trial will receive free FOGO kerbside collection for a year. The trial will enable the council to increase our understanding of what works best for the community in relation to bin size and frequency of collections. Participating in this trial offers residents an opportunity to provide feedback that will later assist the council to formulate an efficient future kerbside green bin service for the whole of the shire.