Major South West tip cuts off FOGO waste collection service due to unacceptable levels of contamination

A major South West tip has cut off part of its waste collection service indefinitely due to unacceptable levels of contamination. The Bunbury Harvey Regional Council last week told the several local governments utilising its food organics and garden organics waste collection that the service would remain closed for the foreseeable future. The BHRC stopped taking FOGO waste in December due to “unacceptable” levels of contamination found within the organic waste, which is used to produce compost. In December the BHRC said the service, which covers waste collection across the shires of Capel, Collie, Dardanup and Harvey, and the cities of Bunbury and Busselton, was “overwhelmed” with the levels of contamination. Shire of Collie president Ian Miffling said the shire was informed some time ago the service would remain closed unless FOGO could achieve less than one per cent contamination levels, which he said was an “unachievable target”. “The Collie shire will be containing all its waste, FOGO and general, within its current licensed landfill site until or unless an alternative waste disposal outcome can be achieved,” he said. “The Shire of Collie would like to see some future processing system for FOGO such that the end product becomes a practical end-use. “What such a system could be like is unknown at this stage and in all probability it would be something beyond the ability of any single local government entity to venture into, perhaps it will take intervention at a State Government level.” City of Bunbury chief executive Alan Ferris said it was unfortunate to see contamination continuing to exceed acceptable levels. “BHRC is working with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and partner local governments to address the issue; the city is exploring alternative and short-term solutions for FOGO processing,” he said. “The current situation is disappointing, but it is the responsibly of our entire community, including BHRC and local governments, to ensure responsible waste management and a clean and safe environment for future generations. “Waste management is an ongoing challenge, not only for BHRC, but everywhere.” Shire of Dardanup president Tyrrell Gardiner said the shire had been working on a regional tender with six other local governments to find a solution for FOGO processing. “We will provide an update to the community on this once it has progressed,” he said. “The Shire of Dardanup supports BHRC’s decision. If the process can’t be done to best-practice standards, it’s better not to proceed. “We’ve raised concerns in the past about operations at Banksia Road and welcome plans for a new, compliant facility at Stanley Road.” Cr Gardner said he would like to see the FOGO waste processed at best-practice aerobic composting facilities rather than sent to landfill. “This significantly reduces harmful methane emissions — up to 1.6 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per tonne of waste — compared to as little as 0.04 tonnes through composting,” he said. “Turning FOGO into high-quality compost also supports local agriculture and reduces reliance on synthetic fertilisers, creating a more sustainable, circular waste system.” The Shire of Harvey and BHRC were both contacted for comment.