What is happening? 
Council has expanded the Garden Organics (Green Bin) service from 1 July 2026, to include rural properties and households without a green bin service. The service has been automatically made available to these properties unless property owners opted out during the opt-out period, which has now closed.

Check your July 2026 rates notice as this will show the service change for your domestic waste charge. 

Why is this change happening? 
This is part of Council’s new waste collection contract and our commitment to sustainable waste management. This expansion also supports Council’s preparation for the future introduction of the NSW Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) program, which all councils are required to implement by the NSW Government by 2030. We are expanding access to the green bin service now - helping to ensure a smooth transition to a Shire‑wide FOGO collection service in the future.

What happens once I opted-out?

Even if you decided to opt-out of the green bin service, once we begin FOGO services in Wollondilly, your property will receive a FOGO bin. Further updates and information about this service will be provided in the near future. 

Who do these changes apply to?
Property owners who were not receiving a green bin service prior to 1 June 2026.

How is Council communicating these changes? 
An initial letter was delivered to impacted properties during the week starting 9 February, 2026. The letter outlined:

•    how the service will operate 
•    when green bins will be delivered 
•    when the service will commence
•    impacts on rates charges
•    how to order additional bins
•    how to opt out of the service

Property owners were then mailed a confirmation letter on whether or not they will receive a green bin in week commencing Monday 6 of April 2026.

Note: Only property owners can make changes to waste service as it relates to Council Rates.

Council used an opt out process to manage the green bin rollout between 9 February 2026 – 22 May 2026. Property owners were mailed a confirmation letter on whether or not they will receive a green bin in week commencing Monday 6 April 2026.

Please note: Only property owners can make changes to waste service  as it relates to Council Rates.

Your confirmation letter will indicate which collection run your property belongs to. Your first collection service will start in the week commencing:

Monday 29 June 2026 for Run 2, or
Monday 6 July 2026 for Run 1.

Council used an opt out process because it’s the most efficient way to manage the green bin rollout. It allows us to plan deliveries and resources more effectively. If we used an opt in system, it would take much longer to confirm requests and could delay bin delivery.

How is Council preparing for FOGO?

The NSW government has recently passed legislation that requires all councils to provide a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service to households with a red bin service by 1 July 2030.

More information about FOGO can be found on NSW EPA.

We are expanding access to the green bin service now, helping to ensure a smooth transition to a Shire‑wide FOGO collection service in the future.

What this means for you?

While you have opted out of the green bin service, once we begin FOGO services in Wollondilly, your property will receive a FOGO bin. Further updates and information about this service will be provided in the future.