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FOGO for Business

Did you know that businesses in the Bega Valley can GO FOGO?

Text: Fogo for business


Be A FOGO Friendly Business

Did you know that businesses in the Bega Valley can GO FOGO?

Bega Valley Shire Council is proud to be leading the way offering a FOGO service to its business community, and we are excited to make FOGO even better.

FOGO for Business will save even more valuable resources from landfill, save businesses money, and mean everyone can be part of the waste solution.


How FOGO helps businesses thrive
 

  • FOGO saves you money. Because sending waste to landfill is expensive—choose the cheaper alternative.
     
  • The community loves FOGO. Customers are asking businesses to be more environmentally aware and they support businesses that make an effort.
     
  • FOGO boosts staff morale. People love to be involved in a positive movement, helping you attract and retain motivated and skilled staff.
     
  • FOGO is quick and easy. Keeping valuable resources out of landfill benefits everyone and getting a FOGO bin is simple.

 

Already got a FOGO bin?
Let us know by tagging our Waste…The Facts Bega Valley Waste and Recycling page on Facebook so we can give you a shout out - we are always on the lookout for local businesses doing the right thing!

How To GO FOGO For Business

Step 1 - Assess Your Waste Needs

  • Consider how many bins your business currently has, and if they are all being utilised. Do you have too many landfill bins or not enough recycling bins?
  • By getting a FOGO bin you will be reducing the amount of organic waste that is going in your landfill bin - is there opportunity to reduce landfill or recycling bin numbers by better managing which bins the waste is going in?
  • Does your business have food waste that would be suitable for donation? We have a number of Food Donation options in the local area now – details are below in the FAQ section.
  • Can you reduce the amount of food or organic waste ending up in the bin by reviewing how much your business purchases or throws away?  Here are Ways to Reduce Business Food Waste visit https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au/in-business/ways-reduce-business-food-waste.

 

Step 2 - Gain Landlord Permission or Apply for a Waste Account (if needed)

  • If your business tenants a commercial property, your Landlord will be liable for paying the Council bin charges which appear on the properties rates notice.
  • You will need to gain their permission to make changes, either adding or removing bins including FOGO bins.
  • We recommend either having your Landlord make the bin change request directly to Council or that you get their approval in writing.
  • If you are unable to gain permission to make changes to your bin configurations, then you can apply for a Waste Account using the Commercial Tenant Waste Account Request form. Your business will be charged for the additional waste services monthly. Current Fees and Charges can be found here.

 

Step 3 - Order Your FOGO Bin

  • To order a FOGO bin or make changes to your bin number or type, you will need your Account Number (Step 2) OR your Property Assessment Number, which can be found on the properties rates notice.
  • Go to the Forms page on either the Bega Valley Shire Council website or the Bega Valley Waste App.
  • Fill out the Changing the Size or Number of Your Bins form – here you can increase or decrease the number of bins that you currently have, add a FOGO service and indicate interest in learning more about how to use FOGO, signage for your business and more.

 

Step 4 - Receive Your FOGO Bin

  • Once your form is processed, your FOGO bin will be delivered (delivery times will vary depending on demand, but usually 1 -2 weeks).
  • When your FOGO bin is delivered, you will find a caddy and roll of liners inside. If this is missing, or you need more caddies or liners for your business, please notify Council by calling 6499 2222.
  • Your new FOGO bin can be placed out alongside your existing bins for collection on your normal collection day.
  • If you are having other bins removed, please make sure these are obvious and accessible once you have submitted your request to make it easy for the contractor to remove them. This may or may not happen on the same day as your FOGO bin is delivered – any queries should be directed to Cleanaway on 1300 093 756.

 

 Step 5 - Make the Most of Your FOGO bin

  • Thank you for choosing to GO FOGO! Now you have your FOGO bin, remember to always Choose the Right Bin – if you need help remembering what can go in your FOGO, check back to the FAQ section on this page or on the Bega Valley Waste App.
  • You can maximise the use of your FOGO bin by swapping out soft plastics or single-use items for certified compostable ones – download the Waste Wise Fact Sheet (at the top of the page) for more information.
  • TIP – Purchase an additional caddy, so you can have one in use and one in the dishwasher! Remember that you can get a new caddy or more caddy liners when you need them – contact Council on 6499 2222 for more information.
  • If your bin doesn’t get picked up on its regular day, please call Cleanaway on 1300 093 756.

Frequently Asked Questions


Now! It is a weekly service which operates alongside your current commercial landfill (red) and recycling (yellow) service. As long as the FOGO truck goes past your business, you can GO FOGO.

Please contact Council on 6499 2222 to sign up for the current FOGO service or to register your interest in having your FOGO bin picked up more frequently in the future. You can also fill in your details in the Contact Form on this page.

Already know you’re ready to GO FOGO? Order your FOGO bin via the “Changing the Size or Number of Your Bins” form on the Bega Valley Waste App or website.

You can find the current Fees and Charges here. Annual FOGO charges are applied to the properties rates notice.

Businesses who tenant a property and cannot obtain landlord approval for additional bin charges can apply to have a FOGO bin at a weekly per collection charge and will be billed monthly, 6 month minimum contract terms apply.

Yes, your business can be billed directly for additional bin charges only if Landlord consent for additional bin charges is not granted.

Businesses who tenant a property and cannot obtain landlord approval for additional bin charges can apply to have a FOGO bin at a weekly per collection charge and will be billed monthly, 6 month minimum contract terms apply, Fees and Charges can be found here.
 
Fill out the Waste Account Commercial Tenant Request Form on Bega Valley Waste App or website. Once you have your Account Number, you can then fill out the “Changing the Size or Number of Your Bins” form on the Bega Valley Waste App or website to order your FOGO bin.

Yes, you can have multiple FOGO bins. FOGO bins are available in 2 sizes depending on your needs (140L and 240L). As each bin can weigh no more than 80kg to allow the truck to lift it, it may be better for you to have multiple smaller sized bins than one larger sized bin. You can also vary the number of landfill (red) bins or recycling (yellow) bins – your needs may change once you start to use FOGO.

Contact council on 6499 2222 to discuss what option will be best for you or fill out the “Changing the Size or Number of Your Bins” form on the Bega Valley Waste App or website to add a FOGO service or alter your current one (property owner permission is required).

Not yet – we are currently designing a service based on business needs. If you think you will need your bins collected more than once a week or will need to increase your collection frequency during peak times, please call Council on 6499 2222 to discuss what options will be available in the future or register your interest via the contact form on this page.

Yes, a larger size caddy and liners are available for commercial businesses. You can also repurpose tubs or buckets as caddies - there is no need to use a liner if the caddy is emptied frequently and cleaned between use. Please contact Council on 02 6499 2222 for more information.

Your FOGO bin will be collected weekly on the same day as your normal kerbside service.

Any food items: meat (including bones), dairy, eggshells, seafood, vegetable and fruit scraps, bakery items, coffee and tea leaves, certified compostable bin and caddy liners, garden waste (excluding noxious weeds).

Look for this symbol to know if your caddy liner is good to FOGO. For a full list of what can and can’t go in your FOGO bin, visit FOGO - what to put in my green bin? - Bega Valley Shire Council (nsw.gov.au)

Icons for certified compostable packaging.

Food donation is an excellent way to make use of surplus food that is still suitable for consumption. Currently food donation options in our local include Sapphire Community Pantry (Bega), Eden Community Pantry (via FoodBank) and Merimbula Sapphire Life Opportunities (Community FoodCare), along with OzHarvest. Read more about how Council is supporting our local food donation organisations through our Nourish & Flourish campaign.

You can reduce the number of landfill (red) and recycling (yellow) bins or consolidate two small recycling bins into one larger recycling bin to make room for FOGO bins. The amount of waste is not increasing because of FOGO, it’s just being sorted into different bins.

Put items that may smell into compostable liners prior to placing in the FOGO bin. Newspaper or shredded paper in the bottom of the FOGO bin can help to soak up any liquid, or freeze problem waste until collection day. Keep your bin in a shaded place if possible. Certified compostable bin liners are also available to purchase if other options are not practical for you. More information about minimising odours in your bins and caddy:

You can also explore having your bin cleaned by contacting an independent business.

Do not overfill bins and keep the lid closed. Put full caddy liners straight into your FOGO bin, don’t store them next to the bin. Keep food waste that may cause smells in the fridge or freezer until collection day. Securely tie caddy liners before dropping them in the FOGO bin to stop insects and flies getting in. Commercially available fly deterrents can help to reduce flies near your bins.


Have Your Say

If you would love to use FOGO but don’t think a weekly collection will be enough for your business, or that you may need more bins at busy times of the year, please let us know!

Call Council on 6499 2222 to register your interest or fill out the contact form below – we’d love to hear your feedback!

 
  • Logo NSW Government.
    This project was supported by the Environmental Trust as part of the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy.

 

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