Meet James, Waverley’s FOGO ‘Binfluencer’ and Everyday Sustainability Champion

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, we spotlight the everyday actions making a big difference.

When it comes to making a difference, not all heroes wear capes—some take out the food scraps.

James Smith (“not a fake name”), a local resident and self-described "FOGO fan," has quietly become a FOGO ambassador in his Waverley apartment block. His enthusiastic support of the Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) trial isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s about making it easy for others to follow suit.

“I’ve been using FOGO since 2023,” says James. “I started in the Inner West when they introduced their service, but recently moved to Waverley and was so stoked to be included in the FOGO trial!”

James has embraced the service with the kind of grassroots enthusiasm that embodies the spirit of National Volunteer Week. He’s gone out of his way to help neighbours navigate the new system—checking for contamination, hosing out bins, and even leaving a note in the stairwell offering spare liners from Council.

“I think everyone is trying to do their bit to live more sustainably,” he says. “FOGO is an easy step. I keep the compostable liner in my freezer and use it when I’m prepping meals...It’s pretty much automatic now.”

His top tip? You don’t have to use the benchtop caddy if it doesn’t suit you – instead, embrace the freezer method. “There’s no smell, no mess, and no bin to wash. It’s a game-changer.”

James also wants new users to know that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. “You don’t need to use the caddy. I started with an old Tupperware container, and now I just freeze the liner directly. It’s all about finding what works for you.”

Though he’s faced with the occasional smelly bin, James shrugs it off. “A rinse and a bit of sun does the trick.”

As we mark National Volunteer Week, James reminds us that small acts, like helping a neighbour with their bin or sharing your top composting hack, can be just as impactful as formal volunteering. Whether you’re a FOGO binfluencer in your community like James, or one of our valued volunteers at Council, we’re thrilled to see examples of small and large acts that embody the Volunteer Week theme, Connecting Communities. 

James' final piece of advice for embracing the FOGO roll-out?

“Just try it,” he says with a smile. “FOGO really works.”