FOGO is Coming: what NSW business operators need to know now

If your business produces a lot of food waste, FOGO is about to become something you need to pay attention to.

From July 2026, many NSW businesses will be required to separate food waste from general waste and have a weekly FOGO collection in place. For some operators, that means changes to bins, collection schedules and staff habits sooner rather than later.

The good news is that getting ready does not need to be complicated. We’re here to help remove the scramble, disruption and avoidable compliance headaches when deadlines arrive.

What is FOGO?

FOGO stands for Food Organics and Garden Organics – essentially organic waste that can be composted rather than sent to landfill.

For most businesses, that means everyday materials such as:

•         food scraps

•         fruit and vegetable offcuts

•         leftovers

•         coffee grounds

•         plate scrapings

•         expired food (with packaging removed where possible)

•         tea bags and paper towel

Depending on the site, it may also include garden waste.

The important point is that FOGO is not simply another bin. It requires clean separation of organic material so it can be processed properly.

Which businesses are affected first?

Under the NSW rollout, businesses producing more than 3,800 litres of general waste per week will need a weekly FOGO service from July 2026.

That captures many larger waste-generating operations, including:

•         supermarkets

•         cafés and restaurants

•         clubs and pubs

•         schools

•         hospitals

•         food manufacturers

•         larger hospitality venues

Over time, the threshold drops, meaning more businesses, who might be producing less right now, will be brought into the system.

For many operators, this means FOGO is not just an environmental choice – it is becoming part of normal business compliance.

Why the change matters

Food waste in landfill creates methane, one of the most harmful greenhouse gases.

Separating food waste allows it to be processed into compost and other organic products instead of becoming landfill gas.

That bigger environmental reason is important but for businesses day-today, the main practical issue is simple: waste systems are changing, and businesses need to adapt.

The earlier you start, the easier that tends to be.

Why early setup makes life easier

Businesses that wait until the deadline often face a rushed transition.

The practical side of FOGO usually takes a few weeks to settle:

•         staff need to know what goes where

•         internal bins may need repositioning

•         collection volumes may need adjusting

•         contamination needs to be avoided

Starting early gives businesses time to build good habits before compliance pressure arrives.

Many early adopters also find that once food waste is separated properly, their general waste volume drops more than expected.

What businesses often get wrong

The biggest issue in FOGO systems is contamination.

Plastic packaging, gloves, cutlery and incorrect waste mixed into food organics can create major problems for processing.

That is why simple systems matter:

•         clear signage

•         practical staff instruction

•         correct bin placement

•         realistic collection schedules

The best systems are usually the simplest ones.

Choosing the right service

Not every business needs the same setup.

Some sites start with a 140-litre bin. Others need larger bins or more frequent collection depending on waste volume and operating hours.

Weekly collection is mandatory under the regulation, but many businesses need practical adjustments once real volumes become clear.

This is where working with a local provider who knows your operation matters – the service needs to fit how your business actually runs, not just what a policy document says.

What to do now

FOGO is coming, and for many businesses, the easiest time to get ready is before it becomes urgent. If your business may fall into the early compliance category, now is the time to ask questions.

Even if your deadline is later, getting familiar with FOGO now avoids pressure later.

A simple early conversation with us can help you work out:

•         whether you are affected right now

•         what volume you generate

•         what service size makes sense

•         how to introduce it smoothly

If you think your business may be affected – or want to get ahead of this change – talk to us. We’ll help work out what you need and get it in place properly.

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