About
What is FOGO?
FOGO stands for ‘Food Organics and Garden Organics’, it is a separate waste collection service that recycles food and garden waste into a valuable resource such as compost, supporting the circular economy, enriching our soils and fostering better plant growth. Many commercial businesses may require a Food Organics (FO) service only.
Details
What is the FOGO mandate and why was it introduced?
FThe NSW FOGO mandate requires businesses and institutions to separate Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) from general waste.
Food waste in landfill breaks down without oxygen, producing harmful greenhouse gases and taking up valuable landfill space. To address this, organic waste must be separated and collected through a dedicated service and taken to an organics processing facility for recycling. Once subject to the mandate, businesses can no longer dispose of food waste in general waste bins.
This mandate supports the NSW Government’s commitment to halve organic waste sent to landfill by 2030 and contributes to Australia’s net zero emissions goals. It also helps conserve landfill space and supports agriculture through the production of high-quality compost.
When do business mandates commence?
A staged approach based on weekly general waste bin volumes will begin from July 2026. Organisations classified as ‘large waste generators’ will transition across first, such as supermarkets, institutions and hospitality businesses. A phased transition approach will continue until July 2030.
Process
What can I do to prepare?
Early implementation of FOGO gives your business more time to put the right systems in place, helping to create a smoother transition and identify opportunities to reduce landfill disposal costs.
When you partner with Cleanaway, you’ll have the support of an experienced team to help make the transition as smooth and straightforward as possible.
Understand your current waste system
Assess how much general waste your business generates to determine how the mandate applies to you.
Request a tailored waste quotation
Contact Cleanaway for a free quotation to identify the right bin systems, collection schedules, and cost reduction opportunities available for your site.
Set up your service
Confirm your service setup, receive your equipment and roll out any required education programs.
Optimise and improve
Start your service and work closely with your Cleanaway account manager to identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce contamination and optimise your system over time.
Our service
How Cleanaway can help
We understand that navigating regulatory changes can feel complex. Preparing early for the FOGO mandate can make the transition more manageable, helping you put the right systems in place, reduce landfill disposal costs, improve day to day operations and avoid last minute disruption.
By working with our experienced team, you’ll have the support and guidance needed to implement a solution that works for your business.
With a proven track record of supporting both small and large-scale waste stream rollouts, we offer a range of bin sizes and collection frequencies tailored to suit your needs.
We help your team build confidence with FOGO through in person training, tailored educational resources and ongoing support. From waste audits to online learning, we make it easier to meet compliance requirements and adopt best practice.
Cleanaway works closely with you to provide expert guidance and develop tailored strategies that align with your environmental objectives, optimise resource recovery, reduce disposal costs, and ensure long-term sustainability and compliance.
We offer a total waste management solution, providing you with one account manager, one invoice and consistent, reliable services.
Learn more
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Who does the NSW FOGO mandate apply to?
The NSW FOGO mandate applies businesses that produce food waste, including:
- supermarkets
- correctional complexes and centres
- centre-based childcare facilities
- schools, universities and TAFE
- hospitals and mental health facilities
- seniors housing (where council does not provide a collection service)
- restaurants, cafes, takeaway food and drink premises, pubs and bars
- hotel or motel accommodation
- registered clubs that hold a club licence under the Liquor Act 2007
- mobile catering businesses
- common food courts or food halls
- residential accommodation which receives a commercial waste collection service
Large supermarkets will also be required to track and record food donations.
Are there penalties for non-compliance?
Failure to comply with the NSW FOGO mandate requirements can result in significant fines. These include:
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Maximum penalties of up to $500,000, with an additional $50,000 per day for continuing offences.
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On-the-spot fines of up to $5,000, with higher penalties for repeat offences.
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Lower penalties and on-the-spot fines apply for non-compliance with large supermarket food donation reporting requirements
What are the mandate exemptions?
To help businesses adjust to the new FOGO rules, the NSW EPA has introduced temporary FOGO mandate exemptions. Where generic exemptions don’t apply, custom exemptions can be requested.
- Food courts: Some food court operators may be exempt if they do not have control over bins provided in food courts or the collection of waste. Applies: 1 July 2026 – 1 July 2030
- Regional businesses: Businesses in some regional areas without council FOGO services are exempt. Applies: 1 July 2026 – 1 July 2028
- Multi-unit dwellings: Occupants in buildings like shop-top housing with commercial waste services are exempt. Applies: 1 July 2030 – 1 July 2035
| Date | Title | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your FOGO mandate guide | Everything you need to know about the NSW FOGO mandate and how it applies to you. | Download | |
| A-Z Organics sorting guides | Your guide to sorting clean and packaged organics correctly. Accepted items may vary by region. | Download | |
| Webinar: NSW FOGO mandates in action | Watch the webinar to learn how the FOGO mandate is being delivered in practice, with insights from industry and customers. | Download | |
| Real results from NSW businesses. | Discover how one business achieved measurable reductions in waste costs and contamination within months of implementing FOGO. | Download | |
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