The club's first meeting via ZOOM last Tuesday enjoyed the biggest turnout for the year, when thirty-eight Rotarians, partners and guests logged in to share the latest club news and hear a presentation from Natasza Letowt-Vorbek from the City of Boroondara. Natasza, who is the Coordinator Waste Contracts and Projects at the City of Boroondara, explained the key objectives behind the City's FOGO program, and what residents can expect over the coming weeks.The 'virtual' assembly also heard from President Thelma about the steps the board has taken to reduce budgeted commitments following cancellation of the Farmers Market for the foreseeable future, received an update on the progress so far of the Rotary 100 project, and witnessed a preliminary demonstration of the club's new ClubRunner website. The winner of the raffle was club guest Tom Forrest, who will go into the draw for the monthly prize next meeting.
FOGO stands for 'Food Organics and Garden Organics'. The average Boroondara household general waste bin contains 52 per cent food and garden waste! This is currently sent to landfill which is not only a waste of valuable organic resources, it also creates harmful greenhouse gases. Natasza Letowt-Vorbek explained that from May 4th 2020-, residents will be able to place food and garden waste into their new FOGO bin. This will prevent up to 19,000 tonnes of waste ending up in landfill each year and reduce greenhouse gas emission. FOGO material is processed into soil conditioning products for use in agriculture and horticulture, including growing more food.
Between March and May this year residents who currently have a green waste bin will have their orange bin lid changed over to a lime green FOGO lid. They will also receive a FOGO information booklet, a benchtop kitchen caddy, one year's supply (150) of Council-approved compostable caddy liners.
Once FOGO is introduced residents will have their general waste bin collected fortnightly, and their FOGO bin collected weekly.
For more information about FOGO in the City of Boroondara please Click on this Link