The Australian Sustainable Business Group (ASBG) supports the Protection of the Environment Legislation Amendment (FOGO Recycling) Bill 2024 (FOGO Bill), especially as it is designed to extend the operational life of putrescible landfills across NSW. 

ASBG also identified a number of issues with the Bill including:

• Finding that businesses captured need to install a FOGO weekly collection by 1 July 2026.
  This is considered unfair as Local Government has until 1 July 2030 to do generally the same.
• The definition of 'relevant premises' which captures sites for FOGO, can capture manufacturing sites with canteens.
  However, most food manufacturing sites use higher order recycling of food wastes, e.g. stock food etc.
  The use of the FOGO laws should prevent forcing higher order recycling to use FOGO a lower order option.
• ASBG recommended that food sites not be required to prove higher level food recycling as this can lead to heavy administrative outcomes and some sites dropping their higher level food recycling to avoid the reporiting or similar requirements.
• Overall that all manufacturing sites with canteens be specifically exempted from the FOGO requirements.
  This is justified as these sites will have good recycling systems in place for food and otherwise, consequently, do not require FOGO enforcement.

Attachments:

ASBG's Comments and Issues on NSW FOGO Bill 2024

748 kB