Lithgow Council Kerbside Organics (FOGO) Collection Service

Lithgow Council Kerbside Organics (FOGO) Collection Service is a waste diversion project located in the city of Lithgow, approximately 150km west of Sydney in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. The project was registered on May 26, 2023. While the official project area is listed as 'Unknown', the service covers the residential zones of the Lithgow Local Government Area, which supports an urban population of approximately 11,000 people.

The project operates under the Source Separated Organic Waste methodology. This involves introducing a new collection service, specifically a "green bin" or FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) system, to separate eligible organic waste at the household level before it enters the general waste stream. By diverting this waste from landfill, the project prevents the generation of methane, a potent greenhouse gas released when organics decay anaerobically. Instead, the collected material is transferred to a facility for treatment using enclosed composting technology, converting it into soil conditioner or compost.

The Lithgow region is characterized by a cool temperate climate with cool-to-cold winters and warm summers. The area receives moderate rainfall, averaging approximately 860mm annually. Geologically, the region sits on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, featuring soils that range from sandstone-derived sandy loams on the ridges to heavier clays and shale-derived soils in the valley floors. The surrounding land use is a mix of historical coal mining, power generation, forestry (pine plantations), and agricultural grazing.

A notable aspect of this project is its support from the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA); the Lithgow City Council secured $439,450 in "Go FOGO" grant funding to assist with the rollout. The introduction of this service marked a shift from a two-bin system (general waste and recycling) to a three-bin system, with the new collection service scheduled to commence in March 2024. The initiative aligns with state targets to mandate FOGO services for all NSW households by 2030.