Tender advertised for FOGO processor

AHEAD of the introduction of a food organics and garden organics, or FOGO, bin collection, the City of Ballarat is looking for a processor to accept the waste which will be recycled.

It is estimated the processor will accept 21,500 tonnes of food and garden organics a year from more than 50,000 households.

The contractor must provide a processing site with Environmental Protection Authority approvals and the City of Ballarat is looking to buy back the processed product for use in the region.

The State Government has mandated FOGO bin collection be introduced by 1 July 2027 and City of Ballarat director of infrastructure and environment Bridget Wetherall said the changes reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill.

“Audits show food waste makes up 41 per cent of what goes in household waste bins, which adds up to an estimated 9000 tonnes of food that is thrown out every year,” she said.

“Diverting food waste from landfill will reduce the volume of methane, a powerful gas that contributes to climate change, that is generated when organic waste breaks down in landfill.

“Diverting food waste into your FOGO bin will also free up space in your general household waste bin.

“Our goal is for FOGO to be recycled and turned into compost for our city’s public gardens as well as residents’ own gardens.”

Food organics include fruit and vegetable scraps, raw and cooked meat and bones, citrus, leftovers, seafood, shellfish shells and eggshells.

The new service will be provided to residential properties that currently receive waste collection services and larger properties can opt in for an annual fee.

Next year residents will receive a kitchen caddy made of recycled materials which they can collect their food scraps in before adding to the green lidded bin.

The tender is expected to be awarded in late February 2025.