A substantial $9.6 million investment has been earmarked for Moreton Bay, which will bolster FOGO collection in the city, marking a crucial step towards Queensland’s commitment to enhancing resource recovery and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This allocation of funds is part of a larger $151 million pledge aimed at aiding councils across Queensland in implementing comprehensive food organic and garden organic (FOGO) waste collection services.
Organic waste is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions when left to decompose in landfills. However, it possesses the potential to be converted into reusable products such as mulch or compost, thereby mitigating its adverse environmental impact.
Under this substantial funding initiative, over 116,000 lime-green lidded organics kerbside bins will be distributed to households throughout the Moreton Bay region. Additionally, efforts will be made to harmonise the colours of some existing bins in line with a nationwide drive to standardise bin lid colours for greater consistency.
The Council will adopt a phased approach to the introduction of FOGO Collection:
- In Stage 1, a conditional opt-out Garden Organics (GO) service will commence in early December 2024.
- Stage 2 will incorporate the collection of food waste, contingent upon the availability of a suitable FOGO processing facility capable of accommodating all FOGO materials collected within the city.
“FOGO is a resource recovery project with the potential to bring our region’s recycling rate from 45 percent to over 60 percent by adding a new lime green lidded bin for organic material made up of food and garden waste,” Mayor of the City of Moreton Bay, Peter Flannery, said.
“Council currently produces electricity from landfill gases at its three landfill sites to power up to 7,000 homes in our region. This additional bin service is in line with our commitment to investing in sustainability and our local lifestyle as our city’s population booms.”
Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard, commented on the significance of this initiative:
“Most garden and food waste currently ends up in landfill, where it emits methane gas and leaves significant organic resources wasted. That’s why introducing food organics and garden organics (FOGO) is the next vital step in our resource recovery efforts.”
“We are committed to halving the amount of food waste generated by 2030 and diverting 80 percent of organic waste away from landfill. Organic waste can be turned into high-value compost, mulch, and soil products that can be used for a range of environmental projects.”
Published 27-Jan-2024
