We are preparing to introduce FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics), a kerbside service that collects food scraps and garden waste separately so it can be processed into compost instead of going to landfill.

This matters because organic waste is a big part of what we throw away. In Clarence, organics make up around 57% of the general waste collected through our kerbside service. Diverting organics from landfill helps cut greenhouse gas emissions and supports better resource recovery, in line with national and Tasmanian waste targets to reduce organics going to landfill by 2030.

The Councillors have considered a range of service options and endorsed a staged FOGO rollout at the 1 December 2025 Council Meeting. The recommended approach is to transition from the current garden organics (GO) collection every four weeks to a FOGO collection every two weeks, with general waste and recycling collections staying the same.

We’re using this engagement to understand what the community knows about FOGO, where the confusion points might be, and what information will help people sort correctly from day one.

How we engage and educate the public to support a smooth kerbside transition, including:

• what information you need to sort waste correctly
• the best ways to share information (letters, bin stickers, online info, social media, pop-ups)
• what will help reduce contamination and make FOGO easy to use day to day

Some things are outside the scope of this engagement, including:

• from 1 January 2027, FOGO will start in Clarence
• the eligibility criteria for FOGO, including which residents are included
• the kerbside collection frequency schedule for all services after FOGO rollout
• what materials are accepted in the FOGO service.

FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) is a kerbside collection system that keeps food scraps and garden vegetation out of landfill. Instead, these organics are collected separately and processed so they can be repurposed as compost.

Collected FOGO material can be processed through controlled composting, anaerobic digestion, or open windrow composting. The end product is used for compost and soil improvement.

Organic waste is a major part of what we throw away. In Clarence, organics make up around 57% of general waste collected through our kerbside service. When organics go to landfill they break down and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and valuable material is lost instead of being recovered.

• Less waste to landfill
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions
• A circular economy, where organics are recovered and returned to use as compost.

This aligns with:

• the Australian Government’s National Waste Policy target to halve organic waste to landfill by 2030
• the Tasmanian Waste & Resource Recovery Strategy , which identifies organic waste diversion as a key priority
• our Sustainability Strategy (2023) , which includes the introduction of FOGO.

The Councillors considered nine service options (including continuing the current approach) using a Consolidated Cost Model (CCM). The CCM assessed options against economic, environmental and social factors using a multi-criteria analysis.

The recommended approach is a staged rollout. This pathway was endorsed by the Councillors at the 1 December 2025 Council Meeting , with FOGO to be implemented from 1 January 2027.

The recommended service change is:

• the current garden organics (GO) collection every 4 weeks transitions to a FOGO collection every 2 weeks (please note properties with an existing garden organics (GO) collection every 4 weeks will transition to a FOGO collection every 2 weeks, and for those without a current GO service, there will be no change to your current 2-bin system
• general waste and recycling collections remain unchanged

We will provide clear information ahead of rollout about eligibility, service schedules, and what goes in each bin.

FOGO is designed for:

• food waste (food scraps)
• garden vegetation (garden organics)

While the decision to introduce FOGO has been made, we are using this engagement to make the transition as smooth as possible by understanding:

• what people already know about FOGO and where confusion is likely
• the main contamination risks and what would help households avoid them
• how satisfied people are with current kerbside waste services
• what issues people are experiencing with dumped rubbish and litter, to inform development of our Dumped Rubbish & Litter Management Plan

Your feedback will be used to shape the education and communications approach, so residents have the right information at the right time, in formats that are easy to use.

There are a few other strategies which will influence FOGO, including:

• our Sustainability Strategy (2023)
• the Australian Government’s National Waste Policy
• the Tasmanian Waste & Resource Recovery Strategy

Your feedback will help us understand what people know about FOGO, what might cause confusion or contamination (like what goes in which bin, packaging, odour, pests, or missed collections), and what information would make the biggest difference through clear education and practical support.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey or send a written submission to yoursay@ccc.tas.gov.au.

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