The green-waste bins in Leeton have proved a huge hit. Photo: Sustainable Solutions Now.
An audit of the Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) bins that were rolled out in Leeton in July 2024 has revealed the scheme diverted 752 tonnes of organic waste from landfill in its first six months.
Leeton Mayor George Weston also commended Leeton Shire residents as the review showed that only a tiny proportion was contaminated (0.3 per cent by weight).
“It’s a fantastic result for Leeton Shire and a reflection of the community working together for a common goal,” Mayor Weston said.
“Not only are we doing our part for the environment, but we are also extending the life of our landfill cells by turning the FOGO waste into valuable compost for reuse in our parks and gardens.
“Our sincere thanks goes out to the community for embracing the service with such enthusiasm and dedication.”
While the larger, neighbouring Griffith Council still does not have a FOGO bin, Leeton Shire was able to extend its existing kerbside service last year, with green-waste bins now collected alongside the red-lidded general waste bin and yellow-lidded recycling bin.
The 752.72 tonnes of organics waste diverted from landfill equates to a reduction of about 1505 tonnes of CO2 emissions as a direct result of individuals and households using the FOGO service.
The audit showed some 80.9 per cent of the bin space is used for garden waste and 18.8 per cent for food organics.
While the green-waste bin contamination rate is low, the council says it reminds residents of some of the inappropriate materials found during the audit, such as plastic, cardboard and glass. These items belong either in the red-lidded or yellow-lidded kerbside bin.
More information about the FOGO service, and what goes in which bin, can be found on the Halve Waste website.
The council also reminds the community that magnetic 2025 bin collection calendars can be picked up free from the Leeton Shire administration office Monday to Friday during business hours.
The kerbside bin audit was undertaken by contractor Sustainable Solutions Now, as part of the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO) waste project, in October 2024.
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