New South Wales has passed a law to make recycling food and garden waste (FOGO) mandatory.
The move follows a warning from the state’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) that Sydney’s landfill capacity would be “exhausted” by the end of the decade if no action was taken.
The new law is aimed at taking “some pressure off landfills” by processing food waste into compost.
Local councils will begin rolling out FOGO recycling for businesses next year, and for homes by 2030.
FOGO
FOGO waste accounts for a third of household red bin space, according to the NSW Government.
Under the new system, the Government expects a million tonnes will be “diverted” from landfill to compost.
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Dedicated bins will be available at supermarkets, restaurants, hospitals, and schools, among other locations.
The law requires big supermarkets to disclose how much food they are donating to charity. Councils and businesses that fail to comply could face fines of up to $500,000.
Comment
State Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said: “NSW has ignored the crisis for landfill capacity for too long. We cannot kick this can down the road any longer.”
The Opposition supported the law in Parliament, but raised concerns about the cost of the plan falling to local councils.
NSW Deputy Liberal leader Natalie Ward said councils “not yet at the level of sophistication to deliver the service” would need Government support.
