Future Organics Service

Council is committed to building a more sustainable and environmentally responsible region. As part of this commitment, we’ve been exploring the introduction of a kerbside organics collection service to help households across our community divert organic waste from landfill more easily.

In 2021–2022, Rockhampton Regional Council partnered with the Queensland Government in a trial food and/or garden kerbside collection service to pre-determined households across the Rockhampton Region. The diversion of organic material from landfill is a key objective identified in the Australian Government’s National Waste Policy and Action Plan. The roll-out of the Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) / Garden Organics (GO) trial is an action outlined in the Queensland Government’s Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy and Queensland Organics Strategy and Action Plan.

As part of the trial, 750 selected households in the Rockhampton Region received a Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) bin or Garden Organics (GO) bin.

Trial Outcomes:

• 282 tonnes of organic waste were diverted from landfill
• Households with the GO service diverted 41% of their total household waste from landfill
• Households with the FOGO service diverted 67% of their total household waste from landfill

Insights from the trial, together with valuable feedback from participating residents, helped shape a comprehensive business case examining what a region-wide service could look like. 

While the findings were encouraging, Council chose to defer a final decision until the release of the latest Queensland Waste Strategy. This approach ensures the future direction of a kerbside organics service aligns with broader state policy, regional targets, funding opportunities, and the statewide communications campaign being developed by the Queensland Government. It also allows Council to design a service that is environmentally effective, operationally efficient, and financially sustainable.

Once the updated Queensland Waste Strategy is published this year (2026), a report will be presented to Council for endorsement of a kerbside organics collection service. If endorsed, Council will be able to provide clear guidance on next steps, including service eligibility, rollout timeframes, and how households can take part. Progress updates on the future of a kerbside organics service - and on the steps required for implementation - will be communicated to the community as they occur via Council's website, Facebook page, and local media.

We appreciate your interest and support – together, we’re working towards a cleaner, greener future for our region.

You can help fight food waste and manage your own organic waste at home by following the link HERE.

Frequently Asked Questions