City urges residents to be mindful of waste in response to community petition calling for bin collection boost

Thinking about waste when buying products can save you money, bin space and unnecessary wast-age is the message from the City of Albany to residents.

The reminder comes in response to a petition circulating in the community asking for the return of weekly general waste pick ups.

Since the introduction of the City’s FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) waste service in July 2021, bins in Albany have been collected on a fortnightly basis.

Funding guidelines from the State Government stipulate general waste collection must be fortnightly when a FOGO system is introduced.

City sustainability and waste strategy co-ordinator Julie Passmore said all residents were encouraged to recycle and FOGO whatever they could.

“We are also really encouraging people to think about what they throw away and pay attention to what it is,” she said.

“Are there things they might not have needed to buy? Could they actually save money by making different purchases? And what will happen to things at the end of their useful life when we buy them — where will they go?”

She said it was about developing good habits and knowing where to put waste for most people, but that the City also knew there could be exceptional circumstances.

“What we encourage people to do if they are really struggling is to contact us because we can come to people’s homes and have a look to understand what is filling up their bins,” she said.

“We can work on options directly with people through that process.

“We do have the exceptional circumstances service if people have medical waste filling up their bin, so we have options there.”

“It’s really all about helping people understand what’s filling up their bins and then are there things that could go anywhere.”

And what will happen to things at the end of their useful life when we buy them — where will they go?

Common items often found in the wrong bins were recyclable boxes that had not been flattened, recyclable packaging and food scraps which should be placed in the FOGO bin.

City sustainability project officer Andrea Smithson added waste paper that was unable to be recycled could also be placed in FOGO.

“Sometimes people are uncertain about the extent of food scraps that can go in there, but it really is anything — cooked or uncooked food can go in there,” Ms Smithson said.

“All of your garden prunings and lawn clippings, but also all the used paper products.

“Shredded paper that is too small to go in the recycling, and any pizza boxes or used newspaper can all go into your FOGO bin to save a lot of space.”

She said disposing of any item, in any bin comes at a cost.

“It’s all expensive to process all waste whether it’s recycled, composted or put into landfill,” she said.

“It all costs money and it comes at a cost to the environment when things get put into landfill — not just now but well into the future.”

Waste audits conducted by the City prior to the introduction of the FOGO system indicated about 30 per cent of kerbside general waste was made up by organic material.

Shredded paper that is too small to go in the recycling, and any pizza boxes or used newspaper can all go into your FOGO bin to save a lot of space.

City engineering and sustainability manager Ruth March said that correlated to directly into a 30 per cent reduction in general waste collection through the first year of the City’s altered bin system.

She said a recent survey indicated 84 per cent of Albany residents were either satisfied or very satisfied with the residential bin service and that 74 per cent had space left in their general waste bins at the end of the fortnight.

“The City understands the fortnightly general waste collection is a challenge for some and encourages those households to contact the waste services team for assistance,” she said.

“Resources to help sort and decrease waste, and reduce pests and smells are available on the City’s website.”

Households that regularly need more space can pay $100 annually for a second bin collected fortnightly.

We are proud of our community’s efforts to adjust to the FOGO system and our staff are here to assist those who need a little extra help.

Ms March said 2.5 per cent of households had opted in for the additional bin.

“Free options are considered for those with excess waste due to a medical condition or exceptional circumstance,” she said.

“The City also has a popular Reusable Nappy Incentive, which offers a rebate to encourage families to try an alternative to disposable nappies, and 88 households have taken up this offer so far.

“We are proud of our community’s efforts to adjust to the FOGO system and our staff are here to assist those who need a little extra help.”