FOGO Bin

Organic waste from the lime green organics bins currently operating in the City of Bunbury and the Shires of Capel, Collie, Donnybrook-Balingup, Harvey and Margaret River is taken to the facility and deposited in large windrows 45m long and 15m wide. A large proportion of the material collected in bins is high in nitrogen, so mulched green-waste which is high in carbon, is added to the mix and the composting process begins. The windrows are aerated to minimise odours and speed up the composting process. Compostable bags break down quickly once the composting process begins.

After 4-6 weeks the windrows are turned, using a front-end loader, and formed into another windrow that is aerated.

The windrows are monitored for temperature and moisture levels and watered as required. The aeration system is programmed to add air to the windrows at specified timeframes.

Every 4-6 weeks each windrow is turned to ensure even composting and all parts of the pile are pasteurised. Pasteurisation occurs at temperatures above 55°C. The windrows are turned at least five times and the temperature maintained above 55°C for at least 15 consecutive days to meet pasteurisation requirements. Pasteurisation kills all seeds and pathogens and is one of the most important parts of the composting process.

After the piles have been pasteurised and allowed to compost down further they are then screened to remove all materials above 50mm. This process removes the larger contaminants.

The pasteurised but partially matured compost is again put into windrows to continue the composting process and reach maturity.

Once the compost is mature it is again screened to remove all particles over 10mm. The screened product is put into a bunker and samples are taken to be tested to the Australian Standard (AS4454-2012) for mulches, compost and soil conditioners. The samples are sent to an independent accredited laboratory for analysis. Testing takes 3-4 weeks and lists the chemical, physical and pathological attributes of the compost and the requirements for Australian Standard AS4454-2012.

After testing, most of the product is sold in bulk. Some compost is taken to the Stanley Road Waste Management Facility where it is sold by the scoop. Contact Stanley Road for up to date pricing of our organic compost Ph. 08 9797 2404

See below the video on how your FOGO bin is processed.

Recycling Bin

Your recycling is trucked to the Material Recovery Facility in Bibra Lake. This recovery facility was built using state-of-art technology to ensure the maximum recovery of recyclables. The MRF can process up to 30 tonnes per hour – that is equivalent to four full recycling trucks.

The Recycling Centre accepts ‘mixed recycling’ (i.e. mixed plastic and cardboard containers, cans and bottles).

That makes recycling easier for everyone, as recyclables don’t need to be separated for collection.

Collection trucks bring recyclables to our recycling centre in Bibra Lake, 20km south of the Perth CBD. The recyclables are unloaded into an area called the “tipping floor”.

From the tipping floor, recycling is placed onto a conveyor belt to commence processing. Recycling is then sorted by MRF machinery or by hand into “material streams” of:

Once separated, the different streams are baled (except glass) and sent for remanufacturing into new products.

Non-recyclables are then transferred to the Waste Transfer Station for disposal at in Landfill.

General Waste Bin

The contents of your general waste bin (which may have a red or a dark green lid) are sent to Landfill.

Waste that is sent to landfill is emptied and compacted on the ground where it is buried forever.

Organic waste in landfill creates methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Organic waste should always be placed in your FOGO bin to be recovered as compost.

Recyclable material in your general waste bin is a waste of resources that could be recovered and turned into something else.

Your general waste bin should have as little waste as possible in it.