Upcoming Changes to your Kerbside Collection Service
The way you dispose of your organic material is changing for the better in 2024.
FOGO is here!
From June, we’re introducing a new green kerbside bin and kitchen caddy for food and garden organics (FOGO) at properties located within urban kerbside collection areas (those who currently receive a weekly waste service) across Towong Shire.
This means you will be sorting your waste and recycling into 3 streams:
- your new food and garden organics bin (green lid)
- mixed recycling (yellow lid)
- general waste (red lid)
What does the new kerbside bin service include?
The new kerbside bin service includes the existing general waste and recycling bin, a green waste/FOGO bin for organic waste, a kitchen caddy for convenient food scraps disposal, and a glass drop-off option.
What size will the new organics bin be?
The new organics bin will be a 240-litre bin, the same size as your current recycling bin.
How does the FOGO/green waste bin work?
When we rollout FOGO, your household will have three separate bins as well as a kitchen caddy to enable the separation of waste. Your bin system will comprise your existing 140/240 litre red lidded general rubbish bin, 240 litre yellow lidded recycling bin and a 240 litre green lidded FOGO bin.
Your new FOGO bin will be where you place all your food scraps and garden clippings. This bin will be collected weekly, and the contents will be turned into high-quality compost. Your new FOGO bin will be where you place all your food scraps and garden clippings. This bin will be collected weekly, and the contents will be turned into high-quality compost.
For a full list of what can go in your green bin click here.
Your household will keep the yellow-lidded Recycling Bin, which will be collected fortnightly.
Your red-lidded General Waste bin for general rubbish items that can’t be recycled or turned into compost. Items disposed of in this bin will be sent to landfill and collected on the alternative fortnight to your yellow-topped recycling bin.
Your FOGO bin will be collected weekly on your nominated collection day and your recycling and general waste bin will be collected on alternate fortnights.
Each week your household will put two bins out for collection, either FOGO and Recycling or FOGO and General Waste. You will find your collection calendar inside your kitchen caddy.
What should go in the kitchen caddy?
You will be provided with a 7L kitchen caddy with biodegradable compostable bags that fit into it. The kitchen caddy is for collecting food scraps like fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Please avoid plastics, liquids, or non-compostable items.
Do eligible households have to use the provided kitchen caddy?
If the provided kitchen caddy is not your preferred option, feel free to separate your food waste by another method. Please consider repurposing the caddy or returning it to the Shire offices for distribution to another household.
If you do not wish to use the compostable liners provided by the Shire, you can place your FOGO waste directly into the green lidded FOGO bin or wrap your food waste in newspaper first before placing it into the FOGO bin.
If you don’t wish to use any form of liner or wrapping for your food waste, you can place the items directly into your FOGO bin.
Can I opt-out of the green waste bin service?
If you live in a Rural Zone you have the option to opt-out of the FOGO/green waste bin service.
To do opt out you will need to demonstrate a suitable way of managing your FOGO/green waste on your property.
Please contact our Customer Service team to request an opt-out form.
Why is it only rural zone residents?
The FOGO service will become the standard collection service for the majority of the Shire of Towong. Residents in rural zoned properties who have general waste and comingled Recycling will have the option opt to opt and they will remain on the 2 bin system. All other residents and businesses will be converted to the new 3-bin Fogo service. We encourage all households to consider the impact of waste in both the Shire and globally and participate to the best of their ability in sorting waste at the source and limiting waste contamination.
We are here to help you, if you have concerns or wish to discuss any issues that may restrict you from participating in the new system, please contact Council on 1300 365 222 or email info@towong.vic.gov.au
Where can I drop off my glass?
Glass drop-off points will be designated for residents to dispose of glass bottles and jars. Locations will be:
- Corryong Recycling & Resource Centre
- Tallangatta Recycling & Resource Centre
- Recycling sheds are also available at:
- Mitta Mitta Recreation Reserve
- Talgarno Gap Road
- Granya Recreation Reserve
- Lucyvale Road
- Tallangatta Creek Road
- Corryong-Benambra Road
What types of glass are accepted at the drop-off locations?
All glass bottles and jars milk & juice packs are accepted. Bottles of any colour (soft drinks, juices, water, wine, beer, spirits, food sauces and olive oil)
◾ Jars of any colour (food, jam, sauces, condiments, baby food, etc.)
◾ Cosmetics and perfume containers – also known as flacons
◾ Pharmaceutical packaging or vials
Please ensure they are empty and remove any lids or caps. Glasses bottles and jars – typically used for the packaging of food – can be placed into in a standalone glass bin. Check with Halve Waste as to what is eligible material.
Council’s FOGO service introduction aligns with the State Government’s Recycling Victoria 2020 policy, requiring all Victorians to have access to 4 streams of waste and recycling services by 2030.
Council will provide more information to property owners on how to use their new bin and caddy at the time of the rollout. Until then, properties should continue using the current waste and recycling system as normal.