Residents expose 'ridiculous' oversight in new bin rollout
The FOGO bin initiative has so far proven divisive as councils across the country make the switch.
As councils across the country continue rolling out the new FOGO bin system, residents in one area have taken the first step but have criticised authorities for what some deem a major oversight.
Locals in Sydney's Bayside Council area started receiving their green-lidded garden organics bins (GO) on Friday which are to be used for green or garden waste, with plans to provide a dedicated food organics (FO) bin by 2030. However, some living in strata buildings, including apartments and villas, say there's no use for them at all and have dubbed them a "waste of money".
"Green bins for a block of apartments with no green, just a concrete jungle. Sorry, asking for a ratepayer friend," slammed one on social media this week after the bins were dropped at the Rockdale property.
A photo shows several new bins near the entrance of the building. According to the poster, there's no rooftop garden or common garden area therefore deeming the new bins "pointless". It's a common frustration among many who claim the council area in Southern Sydney is made up of many apartment buildings and villas with "barely" enough garden space to make them useful.
"We have 8 villas and they gave us 8 bins. The amount of garden we all have combined we would be lucky to use 2 for the 8 of us," said one. "What a waste of money, didn't ask for them but still got them, plus where do you store them," another shared. Many agreed the idea is "ridiculous".
Residents can 'opt out' of green bin service
But according to Bayside Council, residents "can opt out" if they're not required.
"Council has contacted strata managers and provided them with an opportunity to opt-out or request a reduced allocation," a spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.
"If they haven’t yet opted out or requested a reduced number of bins, they can do so by filling out the relevant form". Residents living in non-strata buildings can also "notify council if they do not want the green-lidded bin".
While that might be the case, some argue it's a "waste of time, money and resources" to have the bins collected again after they've already been delivered. Many, however, agree the bins are a great idea.
"I like mine, but I have a yard. I am not sure everyone in a courtyard villa like most of the street is going to get much use," one said.
Another resident admitted they'd been "waiting a lifetime" for the bin to drop in their area. "Now it’s finally here," excitedly shared on Facebook.
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FOGO bin change proving divisive across Australia
The new bins will help Australia meet the federal government's target of halving the amount of organic waste sent to landfills by 2030. The nationwide system has so far attracted a divided response from Aussies, and while some love the idea there are obvious issues for many.
Last month, Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn told Yahoo there were "common grievances" among the more than 100,000 residents within the local government area (LGA). There, the FOGO system was introduced but in August it was reversed because of backlash.
"Common grievances expressed by residents in trial sites included an increase in flies, odour associated with the FOGO and residual waste bins, and liquid from decomposition in the FOGO bin," she explained.
Concerns were also raised about the "cost of a future service" and "lack of space for household waste" including nappies and personal hygiene items. The same concerns have been raised by residents across Australia too, including Sydney's Inner West where the bin system was rolled out last year.
Meanwhile, in Bassendean, Western Australia, a petition was launched last year to reinstall weekly general waste removals after the service was scaled back to fortnightly when the FOGO bins were introduced, with locals complaining that rubbish was overflowing in the streets.
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