The regulations regarding the contents of green organic bins for residents in Western Australia have undergone revisions, leading to the exclusion of several items that were previously permitted.
Local councils anticipate that these changes may lead to confusion and dissatisfaction among residents, particularly in light of recent reductions in general waste collection services.
Mark Irwin, president of the Western Australia Local Government Association, has urged the state government to launch a comprehensive campaign to clarify the new rules.
The state authority responsible for overseeing local council waste management has modified the guidelines for green FOGO (Food Organics, Garden Organics) bins, now permitting only garden waste, unpackaged food waste, and certified compostable bin liners. Items such as pet waste, tea bags, paper towels, and used pizza boxes have been removed from the list of acceptable materials.
These updates, available on the Waste Authority’s website, are aimed at simplifying waste sorting for households. However, they may pose challenges for local councils that have already faced significant resistance from the community regarding the FOGO program, which has been progressively implemented over the last two years.
As part of the program, the frequency of red-lidded general waste bin collections has changed from weekly to biweekly. This shift was intended to allow households to include a broader range of items in their green bins, which are still collected weekly.
Irwin, who serves as the Mayor of the City of Stirling and leads WALGA, discussed the rationale behind the updates during an interview on ABC Perth. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the purity of waste streams for effective composting.
He noted that many containers and cups marketed as compostable do not align with current composting systems, and several types of cardboard are also incompatible. “Even minimal contamination can lead to challenges in the recycling process,” he explained. “Incorrect waste can negatively affect the entire collection volume, particularly due to the chemicals involved.”
Irwin highlighted concerns over certain products, such as some compostable bin liners and takeaway containers, which contain PFAS—known as “forever chemicals”—that do not decompose and can contaminate the waste stream.
Food-soiled packaging is also non-recyclable, and residents are advised to dispose of these items in their red general waste bins instead.
Mr. Irwin expressed that further adjustments to the FOGO program may provoke community demands for a return to weekly general waste collection. He acknowledged that residents are struggling to comprehend the new regulations, with some stating that placing food waste in their green bins is insufficient to create enough space in their general waste bins.
“Food waste tends to be dense and heavy, but it doesn’t take up much volume,” he noted, explaining that other household items, like packaging, can occupy significant space in bins. The transition to biweekly red bin collection has proven difficult for numerous councils.
The recent changes have caught many residents off guard, as they were subtly updated on the Waste Authority’s website on July 10 and have since begun to circulate via local council social media channels.
Irwin stressed the necessity for a robust communication strategy from the state government, advocating for a coordinated state-led waste management approach. “Strong leadership is essential to ensure consistency across the region,” he added.
He pointed out that the updates rendered some of the information previously provided on bins and kitchen caddies incorrect. “Councils are facing significant challenges and experiencing considerable community backlash. They are seeking effective leadership and adequate funding for these initiatives, which often require millions of dollars,” he stated.
The WA Waste Authority has been approached for further comments regarding these changes.
