FOGO and compost
FOGO stands for Food Organics and Garden Organics.
Under the FOGO service, all types of organic materials - from food scraps to lawn clippings and much more - can be placed in the bright green lidded organics kerbside collection bin.
The City of Hobart also has introduced FOGO bins into the community as part of its commitment to reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Our FOGO public place bins are currently located at the following sites:
- Legacy Park, Soldiers Memorial Oval and Domain Athletics Centre (Queens Domain)
- Darcy St Park (South Hobart)
- John Turnbull dog exercise area (Lenah Valley)
- Cornelian Bay (New Town)
- The Springs (Fern Tree)
How to use your FOGO bin
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Why was a FOGO service introduced?
We know that approximately 50 per cent of the average household rubbish bin in Hobart is food and a further 10 per cent is garden waste.
By collecting the organic material generated in Hobart homes and businesses and composting it into nutrient rich soil, the FOGO service reduces waste to landfill and the release of greenhouse gas emissions. The compost is later used within agriculture and horticulture therefore 'closing the loop' and assisting the City in moving towards our aim of zero waste to landfill by 2030.
The introduction of FOGO has the potential to capture up to 4000 tonnes of organic material and turn it into valuable compost rather than sending it into landfill.
What goes in my FOGO bin?
| Put in |
Don't put in |
| ✔ Cooked and uncooked food scraps |
✖ Plastics and plastic bag and liners without composting certification* |
| ✔ Leftovers |
✖ Food packaging |
| ✔ Dairy products |
✖ Fruit stickers |
| ✔ Meat and bones |
✖ Liquids (cooking oil etc.) |
| ✔ Egg shells |
✖ Baby wipes and makeup removal wipes |
| ✔ Coffee grounds and tea leaves |
✖ Metals |
| ✔ Soiled paper and cardboard |
✖ Treated timber and building materials |
| ✔ Paper towel and tissues |
✖ Rocks, concrete and ceramics |
| ✔ Grass clippings |
✖ Treated or painted timber, laminates and MDF |
| ✔ Weeds |
✖ Textiles |
| ✔ Small branches (no larger than 10cm diameter) |
✖ Large branches and stumps |
| ✔ Pet poo and cat litter (organic) |
✖ Other animal droppings |
| ✔ Compostable cups, plates and cutlery* |
✖ Dead animals |
| ✔ Certified compostable bags* |
✖ General waste or recycling |
| ✔ Certified compostable nappies* |
|
*Compostable bioplastic products that are certified under one of the following certifications; AS 5810, AS 4736, ASTM D6400, and EN13432 can be placed in your FOGO bin. Look for a label on the product or ask your supplier for certification. Bags and serving-ware (e.g plates and cutlery) made from natural fibres such as wood, paper, bagasse and cardboard can be placed in your FOGO bin.
Can I use bin liners?
To reduce the risk of contamination, it is preferred that FOGO users put their scraps in loose.
Residents can use a piece of paper towel to line their kitchen caddy or can fold a purpose made liner from newspaper.
It is strongly preferred that residents opt for no or paper liners, however if a certified compostable bioplastic liner must be used then it must be certified under one of the following certifications: AS 5810, AS 4736, ASTM D6400, and EN13432.
What to do if my bin smells?
To help reduce odours from your FOGO bin, you can:
- freeze fish and meat waste and put in your FOGO bin the morning of collection
- make a kitchen caddy liner from newspaper by following these DIY newspaper liner instructions(PDF, 124KB)
- use a sprinkling of bicarbonate soda to deodorise your bin
- layer your food waste with garden waste such as lawn clippings and leaf litter
- rinse your bin out regularly and let it dry completely
- keep your bin in the shade if possible.
How can I change my FOGO bin collection?
To adjust your FOGO bin collection to weekly or fortnightly, or cancel it, see the bin requests and enquiries page.
Composting at home
Learn how to compost at home with the free booklet Home Composting in Hobart.
This booklet was released by the City as part of efforts to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030.
Produced by Good Life Permaculture, with illustrations by local artist Rachel Tribout, the booklet provides strategies and techniques for composting food waste.
It covers topics from worm farms to keeping chooks, as well as advice for common composting problems and how to build a no-dig garden.
Home Composting in Hobart(PDF, 3MB)
The following flyers are also great resources on specific composting topics:
Compost and mulch sales
The McRobies Gully Waste Management Centre (the tip) processes garden waste to produce mulch and certified organic compost. The City sells this mulch and compost and also uses it in parks and at the tip.
Compost and mulch can be purchased at McRobies Gully Waste Management Centre (the tip). Please note that delivery is not available.
For general and bulk compost inquiries call 0429 803 135 - Monday to Friday between 7.30 am and 4 pm.
For weekend enquiries call the tollbooth on 03 6238 2581.
For all fees and charges please refer to our Fees and Charges page.