Let's make every scrap count

A little funding has come Parkes Shire Council's way to help households make the most of their food organics and garden organics (FOGO) recycling service. Parkes is part of the NetWaste regional waste group and it's received $119,604 from the NSW Government’s Scrap Together program to expand FOGO services, boost education and support businesses and charities to reduce food waste. Through NetWaste, eight Western NSW councils - Parkes, Bathurst, Dubbo, Forbes, Lithgow, Mid-Western, Narromine and Orange - will roll out the Scrap Together education campaign across their communities. It'll include school lesson plans, community events and awareness materials to remind residents that “every scrap counts.” “Food and garden waste makes up around a third of what goes into the red-lid bin," Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott said. "By making small changes at home, we can all help keep valuable organics out of landfill and instead turn them into compost that improves our soils. “This funding will allow us to deliver engaging and practical education programs that give residents the confidence to use their FOGO service well, ensuring the benefits for both the environment and our community.” NSW EPA Executive Director of Programs and Innovation, Alexandra Geddes said this investment empowers households to do their bit to manage food waste, reduce landfill volumes and combat climate change. “FOGO is one of the most effective ways to keep food and garden waste out of landfill, and this funding is about giving more households access to the service and ensuring they are confident in how to use it," she said. “We’re helping councils set up their communities for long-term success with this program." The Scrap Together campaign has already proven successful, with previous pilots achieving a 10 per cent increase in food waste recovery. For more information on how to make the most of your FOGO service visit: www.epa.nsw.gov.au/fogo.