The Cessnock City Council has voted to expedite the review of its bin collection policy, aligning with the New South Wales (NSW) government’s mandate for the Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) scheme. This scheme, required to be adopted by all councils by 2025, aims to reduce general waste by allowing food and organic waste to be placed in green waste bins. Many councils have already implemented FOGO, often reducing general waste bin sizes and switching to fortnightly collections.
Cessnock’s approach differs significantly. While other councils have enforced these changes, Cessnock plans to maintain the current bin collection schedule for now. The council intends to revisit the strategy after the upcoming elections, preferring to offer residents a choice between the existing weekly collections or a new fortnightly option at a reduced rate, rather than imposing changes.
This contrasts with the approach of other councils that have reduced red bin sizes, moved to fortnightly collections, and imposed fees for weekly red bin pickups.
It’s important to note no changes have been made as yet, but FOGO is coming.