FOGO trial to cease

Lockyer Valley Regional Council will formally bring its Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) waste collection trial to a close next month.

Council began the trial in 2021, which saw FOGO (green lid) bins rolled out to about 1000 households in Laidley and Gatton. As part of the trial, participants’ general waste collection was extended from weekly to fortnightly.

Waste Management Portfolio Councillor Julie Reck said the decision was made to end the trial following community feedback and a review of the service.

“Given the relatively high rates of contamination in FOGO bins, which increased the costs to process the organic waste into compost, and residents’ concerns with the fortnightly collection of the general waste bins, we have made the decision to cease the trial and continue to investigate other options for organic waste management,” she said.

“We sincerely thank everyone who participated in this trial – this process yielded valuable information and data, and we now have a better understanding of the issues that will inform our future direction.”

Despite the trial ending, Council remains committed to improving waste management practices.

“Right now, we are actively exploring feasible options to reduce the amount of organic waste going into landfill, including investigating the viability of an opt-in garden organics service,” Cr Reck said.

“Diverting green waste from landfill reduces the waste levy Council must pay to the Queensland Government and extends the life of the landfill.

“However, finding a practical and cost-effective solution is proving more difficult than any of us anticipated, so while we would like to be able to say – ‘yes, here it is’ – that just isn’t possible right now, and we ask the community for their patience as we continue to do our due diligence.”

Weekly red bin collections will recommence in both the Laidley and Gatton trial areas on Monday 7 July, Cr Reck said.

“We know many of our trial participants missed having their weekly general waste service so hopefully this is welcome news for them,” she said.

“Council’s waste collection contractor will empty all FOGO wheelie bins for the final time in the Laidley trial area on Monday 7 July and in the Gatton trial area on Monday 14 July.

“A separate contractor will then begin retrieving empty FOGO bins - a process which may take up to three days - and residents are asked to please leave their empty green bin on the kerb until it is collected.”