--- title: "Food & Organic Waste Recycling: What Can and Canโ€™t Go In" description: "Food & organic recycling made simple: find out what can and canโ€™t go in your bin, with easy tips for households and businesses." --- [Skip to content](https://help.waster.com.au/food-organic-waste-what-can-cant-go-in#main-content) [![Waster-smart-businesses-1](https://help.waster.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Waster-smart-businesses-1.webp?width=139&height=70&name=Waster-smart-businesses-1.webp)](https://waster.com.au/) - [Online Pricing!](https://waster.com.au/waste-recycling-shop/) - [Blog](https://waster.com.au/waste-management-blog/) - [Contact](https://waster.com.au/waste-recycling-rubbish-contact/) - [Help](https://help.waster.com.au/) - [Partners](https://waster.com.au/partner-with-waster/) - [Waster App](https://waster.app/) - 1300 927 837 Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Online Pricing!](https://waster.com.au/waste-recycling-shop/) - [Blog](https://waster.com.au/waste-management-blog/) - [Contact](https://waster.com.au/waste-recycling-rubbish-contact/) - [Help](https://help.waster.com.au/) - [Partners](https://waster.com.au/partner-with-waster/) - [Waster App](https://waster.app/) - 1300 927 837 How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Waster Help Centre](https://help.waster.com.au/?hsLang=en-au) 2. [โ™ป๏ธ Recycling & Waste Streams](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-recycling-waste-streams?hsLang=en-au) 3. [๐Ÿ Organics](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-recycling-waste-streams?hsLang=en-au#organics) # Food & Organic Waste Recycling: What Can and Canโ€™t Go In ## Food and organic waste makes up a large portion of household and business rubbish โ€” and when it ends up in landfill, it produces harmful greenhouse gases. Using a food and organics (FOGO) recycling bin correctly helps turn scraps into compost and reduces waste. Hereโ€™s what can and canโ€™t go in. #### โœ… What Can Go in the Food & Organics Bin - **Fruit and vegetable scraps** โ€“ peels, cores, offcuts - **Meat, fish, and dairy** โ€“ raw or cooked (including bones and shells, if your council allows) - **Bread, pasta, rice, and grains** - **Coffee grounds, loose tea leaves, and paper tea bags** - **Garden waste** โ€“ grass clippings, leaves, small branches, flowers, weeds - **Compostable paper products** โ€“ paper towels, napkins, and tissues (if not heavily soiled with chemicals) --- #### โŒ What Canโ€™t Go in the Food & Organics Bin - **Plastic bags, cling wrap, or packaging** (unless certified compostable with the seedling logo) - **Glass, metal, or plastic containers** - **Large branches, logs, or treated timber** - **Liquids** (e.g. milk, oil, soups) - **Nappies or sanitary products** - **Pet waste** (unless specifically accepted by your local council) --- #### Household Tips - Use a **kitchen caddy** lined with compostable bags (certified to AS 4736 or AS 5810 standards) to collect scraps. - Avoid lining with plasticโ€”contamination is one of the biggest problems in FOGO bins. - Chop larger items (e.g. watermelon rinds, large bones) into smaller pieces to help composting. - Store your bin in a cool, shaded spot to minimise odours. --- #### Business Food & Organics Recycling - Place **clearly labelled food waste bins** in kitchens, food prep areas, and staff break rooms. - Train staff on what can and canโ€™t go in to avoid contamination. - For cafes, restaurants, and food manufacturers, schedule **regular FOGO collections** to handle larger volumes. - Pair organics bins with general waste and commingled bins to encourage correct separation. --- #### Quick Reference | **Accepted** | **Not Accepted** | | --- | --- | | Fruit & vegetable scraps | Plastic bags & wrappers | | Meat, fish, dairy | Glass, metal, or plastic | | Bread, rice, grains | Nappies or sanitary waste | | Coffee grounds & tea leaves | Large logs or treated timber | | Garden clippings & flowers | Liquids like milk or oil | | Paper towels & napkins | Pet waste (check local rules) | --- #### Best Practices Summary 1. Only put food, garden, and approved compostable items in the bin. 2. Never use plastic linersโ€”use compostable liners or none at all. 3. Keep liquids outโ€”stick to solids only. 4. Businesses should provide clear signage and staff training to reduce contamination. --- #### Conclusion: Smarter Food & Organics Recycling Using your food and organics bin correctly turns waste into compost instead of landfill. By knowing what can and canโ€™t go in, youโ€™ll reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut waste disposal costs, and support a healthier environment. ๐Ÿ‘‰ **Check out Wasterโ€™s Organic Food Waste bin options today in [our online shop.](https://waster.com.au/product-category/organic-food-waste-service/)** - [๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Bin & Equipment Services](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-bin-equipment-services?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Bin Types & Sizes](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-bin-equipment-services?hsLang=en-au#%EF%B8%8F-bin-types-sizes) - [๐Ÿ’ฒ Fees & Charges](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-bin-equipment-services?hsLang=en-au#fees-charges) - [๐Ÿ”’ Locks & Security](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-bin-equipment-services?hsLang=en-au#locks-security) - [โš–๏ธ Overweight & Overfull](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-bin-equipment-services?hsLang=en-au#%EF%B8%8F-overweight-overfull) - [๐Ÿ’‰ Sharps Equipment](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-bin-equipment-services?hsLang=en-au#sharps-equipment) - [๐Ÿ“˜ Guides & Resources](https://help.waster.com.au/guides-resources?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Informative videos](https://help.waster.com.au/guides-resources?hsLang=en-au#informative-videos) - [๐Ÿ“˜ Guides](https://help.waster.com.au/guides-resources?hsLang=en-au#guides) - [๐Ÿ’ผ Business Resources](https://help.waster.com.au/guides-resources?hsLang=en-au#business-resources) - [๐Ÿ›๏ธ Compliance & External Resources](https://help.waster.com.au/guides-resources?hsLang=en-au#%EF%B8%8F-compliance-external-resources) - [๐Ÿ™๏ธ Public Programs](https://help.waster.com.au/guides-resources?hsLang=en-au#%EF%B8%8F-public-programs) - [๐ŸŸข Getting Started](https://help.waster.com.au/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Commingled Recycling - Yellow Bin](https://help.waster.com.au/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#commingled-recycling-yellow-bin) - [Price Comparison](https://help.waster.com.au/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#price-comparison) - [Is Pricing Final And Service Confirmation](https://help.waster.com.au/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#is-pricing-final-and-service-confirmation) - [Extras](https://help.waster.com.au/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#extras) - [Pricing](https://help.waster.com.au/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#pricing) - [Grease Trap Cleaning](https://help.waster.com.au/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#grease-trap-cleaning) - [Overweight Bin Fees And Overloaded Bins](https://help.waster.com.au/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#overweight-bin-fees-and-overloaded-bins) - [Once Off Services](https://help.waster.com.au/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#once-off-services) - [Charity Donation](https://help.waster.com.au/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#charity-donation) - [Cardboard](https://help.waster.com.au/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#cardboard) - [๐Ÿš€ Onboarding](https://help.waster.com.au/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#onboarding) - [๐Ÿข Site Moves](https://help.waster.com.au/getting-started?hsLang=en-au#site-moves) - [๐Ÿ“ฑ App & Digital Tools](https://help.waster.com.au/app-digital-tools?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Request Additional Service](https://help.waster.com.au/app-digital-tools?hsLang=en-au#request-additional-service) - [Download Service Schedules](https://help.waster.com.au/app-digital-tools?hsLang=en-au#download-service-schedules) - [๐Ÿ“ฑ Using the App](https://help.waster.com.au/app-digital-tools?hsLang=en-au#using-the-app) - [๐Ÿ‘ค In-App Account Management](https://help.waster.com.au/app-digital-tools?hsLang=en-au#in-app-account-management) - [โ™ป๏ธ Recycling & Waste Streams](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-recycling-waste-streams?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [๐Ÿ“ฆ Cardboard & Paper](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-recycling-waste-streams?hsLang=en-au#cardboard-paper) - [๐Ÿฅค Containers & Packaging](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-recycling-waste-streams?hsLang=en-au#containers-packaging) - [๐Ÿšซ Contamination & Restrictions](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-recycling-waste-streams?hsLang=en-au#contamination-restrictions) - [๐Ÿ Organics](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-recycling-waste-streams?hsLang=en-au#organics) - [๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ General Waste](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-recycling-waste-streams?hsLang=en-au#%EF%B8%8F-general-waste) - [๐Ÿšบ Hygiene Services](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-recycling-waste-streams?hsLang=en-au#hygiene-services) - [๐Ÿ“„ Confidential Paper](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-recycling-waste-streams?hsLang=en-au#confidential-paper) - [๐Ÿ›ข๏ธ Grease Traps](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-recycling-waste-streams?hsLang=en-au#%EF%B8%8F-grease-traps) - [โ™ป๏ธ TerraCycle](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-recycling-waste-streams?hsLang=en-au#%EF%B8%8F-terracycle) - [๐Ÿ‘ค Account & Support](https://help.waster.com.au/account-support?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Response times to queries](https://help.waster.com.au/account-support?hsLang=en-au#response-times-to-queries) - [Contact information](https://help.waster.com.au/account-support?hsLang=en-au#contact-information) - [๐Ÿ‘ค General Account Management](https://help.waster.com.au/account-support?hsLang=en-au#general-account-management) - [โ˜Ž๏ธ Support & Contact](https://help.waster.com.au/account-support?hsLang=en-au#%EF%B8%8F-support-contact) - [๐Ÿ’ฐ Pricing & Contracts](https://help.waster.com.au/pricing-contracts?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [๐Ÿ“ƒ Agreements & Contracts](https://help.waster.com.au/pricing-contracts?hsLang=en-au#agreements-contracts) - [๐Ÿ” Comparisons & Guarantees](https://help.waster.com.au/pricing-contracts?hsLang=en-au#comparisons-guarantees) - [๐Ÿงพ Billing & Invoices](https://help.waster.com.au/pricing-contracts?hsLang=en-au#billing-invoices) - [๐Ÿ“Š Pricing Rules](https://help.waster.com.au/pricing-contracts?hsLang=en-au#pricing-rules) - [๐ŸŒ Service Areas](https://help.waster.com.au/service-areas?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [Geographic areas](https://help.waster.com.au/service-areas?hsLang=en-au#geographic-areas) - [๐ŸŒ Coverage](https://help.waster.com.au/service-areas?hsLang=en-au#coverage) - [๐Ÿšš Collections & Logistics](https://help.waster.com.au/collections-logistics?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [โฐ Service Scheduling](https://help.waster.com.au/collections-logistics?hsLang=en-au#service-scheduling) - [โŒ Missed or Failed Collections](https://help.waster.com.au/collections-logistics?hsLang=en-au#missed-or-failed-collections) - [๐Ÿ—๏ธ Site Requirements](https://help.waster.com.au/collections-logistics?hsLang=en-au#%EF%B8%8F-site-requirements) - [โš ๏ธ Health & Safety](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-health-safety?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [๐Ÿ‘ Safe Handling](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-health-safety?hsLang=en-au#safe-handling) - [๐Ÿฆบ Operational Safety](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-health-safety?hsLang=en-au#operational-safety) - [๐Ÿงฏ Special Services Safety](https://help.waster.com.au/%EF%B8%8F-health-safety?hsLang=en-au#special-services-safety) - [๐Ÿฉบ Medical & Clinical Waste](https://help.waster.com.au/medical-clinical-waste?hsLang=en-au#main-content) - [๐Ÿงช Types & Scope](https://help.waster.com.au/medical-clinical-waste?hsLang=en-au#types-scope) - [๐Ÿ’ต Costs & Supply](https://help.waster.com.au/medical-clinical-waste?hsLang=en-au#costs-supply) - [๐Ÿ“ Service Limitations](https://help.waster.com.au/medical-clinical-waste?hsLang=en-au#service-limitations)