Environment minister defends FOGO changes amid council, resident backlash

Western Australia's environment minister has defended recent changes to the rules governing what items can be placed in green-lidded FOGO bins. The new guidelines exclude previously permitted items such as used pizza boxes, tea bags, paper towels, and pet waste. Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn emphasized the importance of maintaining purity in the waste stream, citing instances of contamination already present in the system.

He defended the changes amid community backlash and concerns over insufficient communication, noting that the new rules only recently began circulating through local councils' social media platforms. The Waste Authority guidelines, published on July 10, specify that only unpackaged food waste, garden waste, and certified compostable bin liners are acceptable in FOGO bins.

However, the information printed on the bins and kitchen caddies supplied to households is outdated. Councils are concerned that the changes may cause confusion among residents, who have been resistant to the FOGO program due to reduced general waste collection. The collection of red-lidded general waste bins has shifted from weekly to fortnightly, further irritating residents.

Swinbourn clarified that the changes aim to improve the quality of compost produced from FOGO waste, which typically ends up in landfills, emitting significant greenhouse gases. He dismissed calls for a broader communication campaign from the state government, attributing responsibility to local councils for updating bin stickers, as they have done for the last 15 years.