City Continues Efforts to Reduce Waste and Promote Sustainable Living
In alignment with its ongoing commitment to sustainability, the City of Kalamunda is ramping up efforts to divert organic and recyclable materials from general waste through the introduction of its FOGO (Food Organics, Garden Organics) service.
A recent audit conducted across several Kalamunda suburbs has highlighted significant opportunities for reducing waste going to landfill.
The audit revealed that an average of 61.6% of household general waste consists of organic materials such as food and green waste, which can now be managed through the FOGO bin system.
With this data, the City is encouraging residents to adopt new habits that reduce their environmental footprint and embrace sustainable waste practices.
Mayor Margaret Thomas said, “The data from our recent waste audit is encouraging. It shows that with the FOGO system, more than half of what we previously sent to landfill can now be put to good use as compost, soil conditioners or mulch. This not only helps the environment but reduces the strain on our waste services. We appreciate the ongoing efforts of our residents to make this transition and we are here to support them every step of the way.”
As part of its waste reduction initiatives, the City is also promoting the use of modern cloth nappies through informative Q&A sessions and providing fact sheets to assist families looking to minimise disposable nappy waste, which contributes to general bin volume.
Despite initial concerns, the audit showed that nappies comprised only 3.28% of the general waste component.
Mayor Thomas added, “We understand the challenges families face when trying to manage waste, especially with young children. Our cloth nappy sessions are just one way we’re offering practical solutions that make a difference. It’s wonderful to see families finding that their general waste bins aren’t as full as they expected, even with nappies.”
In preparation for National Recycling Week (11-17 November), the City will be launching a community quiz with recycling tips and offering prizes to encourage participation.
Additionally, the City will release a Tips to Reduce Your General Waste fact sheet, aimed at helping residents make informed decisions to minimise waste.
For more information on the City’s waste services or to participate in upcoming waste reduction events, visit kalamunda.wa.gov.au or contact the City's Waste Services team on 9257 9999.