Green bin and FOGO: what belongs in the green lid bin

The green lid bin started life as a garden waste bin, but it is quietly becoming one of the most important bins in the household. As more councils roll out FOGO, the green bin now diverts food scraps from landfill and turns them into compost for farms and parks.

Always fine for the green bin

• Grass clippings, leaves and small prunings
• Weeds and spent plants from the garden
• Untreated wood and bark in small amounts

Food scraps, if your council runs FOGO

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Meat, bones and seafood
• Bread, pasta, rice and leftovers
• Tea leaves, coffee grounds and eggshells

The important word is if. FOGO is expanding, and states such as New South Wales and Victoria are moving towards mandatory food and garden collection, but it is not everywhere yet. The Victorian government's kerbside reform pages and your own council website will confirm whether food scraps are welcome in your green bin.

Green bins are often collected fortnightly, which is exactly the sort of alternating schedule that is easy to lose track of. A reminder that understands weekly and fortnightly cycles takes that mental load off your plate.