In 2022, the Town of Gawler will waived the price of kerbside Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) bins for residents who do not yet participate in the service, to divert recoverable resources away from landfill.

Not only was the upfront bin price be removed, but residents are also be able to choose between a standard 240 litre bin and a smaller 140 litre bin, which can be more convenient for small households and where space is an issue.

Council provides a free ventilated kitchen benchtop caddy (made from recycled plastic) and a roll of compostable liners along with each new bin, to assist with collecting food scraps. Diverting waste from landfill will also result in economic savings for Council.

"The FOGO service provides so many benefits because diverting food scraps and garden waste out of the red-lid bin and into the green-lid bin, we can extend the life of our landfill at NAWMA’s Uleybury site," Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said.

"This reduces harmful greenhouse gases to ensure a valuable resource is reused in farms and gardens instead of being lost.

"I know many Gawler people already put their food scraps in the green bin or in their own backyard compost areas, however if we can get more people to get on board, we ultimately save money and protect our environment."

Another improvement to the service is that the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority (NAWMA), a waste management subsidiary part-owned by the Council, will now provide bins made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.

These days, everything from cooked foods like rice and meat bones, used paper towel and pet waste can be composted via the FOGO bin.

"We have been able to source new bins that are made from old kerbside bins,"  NAWMA Education and Community Projects Coordinator Penelope Morrison said.

"We feel it’s important to demonstrate the circular economy in action to the community and to show that products made from recycled materials can match the quality of those made from raw materials taken straight from nature."

NAWMA has an extensive range of educational resources to help people understand what the FOGO collection service is about and how to use it correctly.

Residents who would like to participate in the FOGO service should order a bin from NAWMA, which will organise its free delivery.

This can be done by contacting NAWMA on 8259 2100 or visiting their website (www.nawma.sa.gov.au).