If your business generates food waste, a new set of NSW rules is about to change how you deal with it. The state’s Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) mandate starts on 1 July 2026, and the first wave of businesses affected is larger than most people expect. This guide covers what the mandate actually requires, when each deadline lands, and what to do now so you are not scrambling at the last minute.
What is FOGO?
FOGO stands for Food Organics and Garden Organics. In practice it means keeping food waste out of your general waste bin and putting it into a dedicated organics bin instead. That food waste then goes to a composting or processing facility rather than landfill.
The reason behind it is straightforward. When food scraps rot in landfill they release methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. Food and garden organics also make up a big share of what most commercial bins contain, so diverting them is one of the most effective things a business can do to cut its environmental impact.
Who has to comply, and when
The mandate is being rolled out in stages based on how much residual (general) waste your business produces each week. The more waste you generate, the sooner you are in scope:
- From 1 July 2026 — Businesses generating 3,960L or more of residual waste per week. That is roughly six 660L bins, or sixteen 240L bins.
- From 1 July 2028 — Businesses generating 1,980L or more per week (about three 660L bins, or eight 240L bins).
- From 1 July 2030 — Businesses generating 720L or more per week (a single 660L bin, or three 240L bins).
By the final stage, almost every food-generating business in NSW will need a source-separated organics service. You can read the full criteria on the NSW EPA FOGO mandate page.
What “source-separated” actually means
This is the part businesses most often get wrong. The mandate does not let you mix food waste into general waste and have it sorted later. Food organics have to be separated at the point they are created, kept in a dedicated organics bin, and collected as their own stream. A separate bin in the kitchen, clear signage, and a regular organics collection are the core of a compliant setup.
What happens if you ignore it
Once your business falls inside a deadline, compliance is not optional. Businesses that fail to separate organics can face action from the NSW EPA. Beyond the regulatory risk, leaving food waste in general waste usually costs more anyway, because organics are heavy and fill bins quickly, pushing up your general waste volumes and collection frequency.
How to get ahead of it
The businesses that handle this well are the ones that start early rather than waiting for the deadline. A few practical steps:
- Work out your weekly residual waste volume. Add up your general waste bin sizes and how often they are collected. That tells you which deadline applies to you.
- Set up a dedicated organics bin in your kitchen or prep area, sized to your food waste output. Most cafes and small kitchens start with a 120L or 240L bin; larger kitchens and food courts use 660L.
- Train your team and add signage so food scraps go in the right bin from day one. Contamination is the main thing that undermines an organics program.
- Lock in a regular collection with a provider who can service organics hygienically and on schedule.
Frequently asked questions
When does the FOGO mandate start in NSW? The first deadline is 1 July 2026, for businesses generating 3,960L or more of residual waste per week. Later deadlines in 2028 and 2030 bring smaller businesses into scope.
Does my small cafe have to comply right away? Not necessarily. The first stage only covers higher-volume businesses. Smaller operators come in at the 2028 and 2030 stages, but there is no downside to setting up an organics service earlier.
Can I just put food waste in my general bin? No. Once you are in scope, food organics must be separated at the source and collected as a dedicated stream. They cannot be mixed into general waste.
Getting ready with CCWS
Capital City Waste Services runs dedicated commercial organics and FOGO collection across Sydney, and we can help you work out which deadline applies and put a compliant service in place well before it arrives. The earlier you start, the smoother the transition.
Call us on 02 9599 9999 or request a quote online and we will help you get FOGO-ready.