Due to changes implemented by the EPA NSW (Environmental Protection Authority), items such as carboard, paper, timber offcuts, napkins and teabags, that were previously permitted in the green lid bins, must now go in either the red or yellow lid bins.
The green lid bins, otherwise known as FOGO bins (Food Organics and Garden Organics), must now only be used for food and garden waste.
The EPA has found that many organically derived products, such as cardboard and paper, contain chemicals that may remain as contaminants in organic wastes, which is then processed into the compost made from the green lid bin waste. For more information visit the EPA NSW website.
Items permitted in the green lid bin:
- Fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy products, baked goods
- Loose tea leaves and coffee grounds
- Shellfish shells, eggshells and bones
- Garden waste – tree and grass clippings
- Small amounts of soil, fallen leaves
You can also refer to our household A - Z waste guide.
Items not permitted in the green lid bin:
Anything that is not food or from the garden cannot go into the green lid bins. Previously residents were permitted to place teabags, carboard, paper and timber offcuts into the green lid bins, however, due to the EPA’s changes these items are no longer allowed to go into the green lid bins.
This includes:
- Cardboard packaging (i.e: pizza boxes)
- Paper, newspaper, paper towels and serviettes,
- Single-use cutlery (bamboo, wood etc)
- Baking paper
- Timber offcuts
- Vacuum cleaner dust or lint from appliances
- Pet poo and poo bags
- Hair, fur and feathers
- Teabags
- Plastic products (including compostable bags other than those supplied by Council)
Printable guides
Household A-Z Waste Guide 2025 4.7 MB Download
Sorting Guide - FOGO (Green Lid Bin) 226.2 KB Download
FAQs
Food organics and garden organics (FOGO) that are collected separately in the green lid bins can be processed into high quality compost for use in parks, sporting fields and agriculture instead of emitting harmful greenhouse gases when it rots in landfill. (NSW EPA 2024).
Food and garden organics can go straight into your green lid bin or via your kitchen caddy.
The EPA's research has found that items such as baking paper, coffee filters, paper towels, serviettes, fibre-based food containers, coffee cups, pizza boxes, plates, bowls, paper bags, cardboard packaging, and other compostable plastic bags often contain additives to provide water and grease resistance in food packaging which may cause human and environmental harm (EPA NSW 2024).
Eliminating these items is in effort to keep these additives out of the organic waste compost produced from the green lid bin waste.
The EPA’s What’s the GO with FOGO? report explains this in detail (EPA NSW 2024).
Items no longer permitted in the green lid bin should go in:
- Cardboard and paper that is clean goes in the yellow lid bin
- Cardboard and paper that is soiled with food and oil goes in the red lid bin
- Single-use utensils go in the red lid bin (unless they’re recyclable)
- Pet waste, kitty litter, fur, hair, feathers and vacuum cleaner dust go in the red lid bin
- Tea bags go in the red lid bin (loose tea leaves can go in the green lid bin)
- Treated timber offcuts go in the red lid bin in small amounts (large amounts must be taken to a waste management centre)
Many teabags are made from materials containing plastic and use staples to attach the strings and cardboard tabs, they are best disposed of in the red-lid bin.
Loose leaf tea and coffee grounds CAN be disposed into the FOGO bin (EPA NSW 2024).
Every home in the Wagga Wagga City Council Local Government Area was should have a FOGO kitchen caddy. If your home doesn’t have one, or if you need a new one, please contact Council via:
- Email council@wagga.nsw.gov.au
- Phone (02) 6926 9100 (between 8.30am - 5pm Monday - Friday)
- In-person at Customer Service in the Civic Centre, corner of Baylis and Morrow streets (between 8.30am - 5pm Monday - Friday)
A new roll of compostable liners will automatically be sent to households every year. The roll consists of 150 liners which allows for 2-3 compostable liners per week.
If you run out of compostable liners before April you can collect a free replenishment roll of liners from Councils Customer Service. If you cannot attend Council, please contact us to arrange a delivery.
A new roll of liners will automatically be sent to households every April. If you run out before then you can collect a free replenishment roll of liners from Council’s Customer Service in the Civic Centre, corner of Baylis and Morrow streets Wagga Wagga (between 8.30am - 5pm Monday - Friday).
If you cannot attend Council in-person please contact us to arrange a delivery via council@wagga.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 6926 9100
Residents can add services on top of the standard kerbside service. Options include:
- Additional 240L Green lid food organics and garden organics bin (collected weekly)
- Additional 240L Yellow lid recycling bin (collected fortnightly)
- Upsize from 240L to 360L Yellow lid recycling bin (collected fortnightly)
- Additional 140L Red lid general waste bin (collected fortnightly)
- Upsize from 140L to 240L Red lid general waste bin (collected fortnightly)
For more information and for current fees and charges visit our Bins and Collections page.