Australia is undergoing a major transformation of its organic waste recycling system. With the full implementation of the FOGO system from 2024 to 2030, FOGO compostable bag requirements have become a top concern for municipalities, sanitation contractors, distributors, and households.
This guide integrates AS5810/AS4736 standards, state government policies, municipal requirements, and common misconceptions to provide you with the most comprehensive information on FOGO compostable bags up to 2026.
What Are the FOGO Compostable Bags Requirements?
FOGO compostable bags in Australia must be certified under AS5810 (home compostable) or AS4736 (commercial compostable), display the correct ABA compostable logo, include a valid certification number, and be accepted by local council FOGO guidelines. Non-certified biodegradable or degradable bags are not allowed in FOGO bins.
Why Is Fogo Experiencing Such a Surge in Australia?
The Australian government’s National Waste Policy explicitly states:
By 2030, all municipalities must fully implement FOGO (Food Organics + Garden Organics).
- Each state has released a specific implementation timeline:
- NSW: 100% of municipalities must implement FOGO by 2025
- VIC: Full rollout completed by 2026
- QLD: Gradual implementation, with priority given to key cities.
Therefore, the demand for FOGO compostable bin liners has exploded.
Why do municipalities urgently need compliant compostable bags?
- Plastic bags mixed in lead to composting plant rejections.
- High contamination rates (especially with uncertified bio-bags).
- Low household participation in food waste disposal.
- Large-scale projects require a unified supply chain.
This makes certified compostable bin liners the only controllable solution for municipalities.
What are FOGO Compostable Bags?
Many households and businesses are confused about the difference between compostable, biodegradable, and degradable bags, leading to incorrect waste disposal.
FOGO (Food organics garden organics) compostable bags = compostable waste bags specifically designed for Kitchen Caddy and FOGO bins.
Also known as : compostable bin liners Australia , FOGO caddy liners , organic waste compostable bags
Not shopping bags (compostable shopping bags), Even shopping bags labeled “biodegradable” are almost entirely prohibited in the FOGO system.
Is it mandatory to use compostable bags for FOGO?
Regulations vary by municipality:
- Some municipalities mandate certified bags only.
Some allow compostable bags and uncomposted kitchen waste. - Some municipalities prohibit the use of any bags.
AS5810 & AS4736 Are the Two Only Recognized Standards in Australia:
For a bag to be accepted by FOGO, it must meet one of the following:
- AS5810 Home Compostable
- AS4736 Commercial Compostable
These two standards are managed by the ABA (Australian Bioplastics Association).
AS5810 vs AS4736
| Standard | Application | Requirements / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AS5810 | Home composting | Stricter standard, breaks down faster |
| AS4736 | Commercial composting | Widely accepted by FOGO composting facilities |
How to check if bags are compliant?
- Look for the Seedling logo / Home Compostable logo.
- Look for the certification number (ABAP XXXX). Verification can be done on the official website.
- Packaging must be labeled “AS5810 compostable bags” or “AS4736 compostable bags”.
Download and view our certification certificates
Why can’t PLA bio-based bags be used for FOGO?
- Many PLA bags are only biodegradable.
- They do not meet the stringent requirements for compostability.
- Composting plants cannot completely decompose PLA.
- This leads to the rejection of entire truckloads of food waste.
How to Distinguish ABA Certified Compostable Bags
FOGO compostable bags in Australia must be certified under AS5810 (home compostable) or AS4736 (commercial compostable), display the correct ABA compostable logo, include a valid certification number, and be accepted by local council FOGO guidelines. Non-certified biodegradable or degradable bags are not allowed in FOGO bins.
Most Australian households don’t know how to distinguish genuine certified bags from fakes. Here’s a complete checklist:
- Must have a certification logo
AS5810 logo or AS4736 Seedling logo,(No logo = Rejection)
- Certification number
ABAP certification verification is the core of compliance judgment.
- Thickness range
Too thick = difficult to degrade; Too thin = easily broken ; (Generally 15–25 microns)
- Material composition
PBAT,PLA,Starch,But must meet compostable certification, otherwise the material is meaningless.
- Printing instructions
Some municipal requirements:
- Green bag
- Specific warnings
- Scannable traceability code
- Differences between municipalities
- Some mandate the use of Kitchen Caddy 8L AS5810
- Some households can use “newspaper liner”
- Some municipalities prohibit 20L bags and require smaller bags for repackaging.
FOGO Approved Bags Sizes & Usage
| Capacity | Typical Use | Common Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| 7L–8L | Kitchen caddy liners for daily food scraps | 7L compostable caddy liners / AS5810 bags / kitchen caddy compostable liners |
| 20–25L | Household food organics collection | 20L compostable bin liners / household compostable bags / FOGO bin liners |
| 30–35L | Multi-purpose home organics collection | 30L compostable bags / household compostable waste bags |
| 240L | FOGO kerbside bins used by councils | 240L FOGO bin liners / 240L compostable bin liners / council organic waste liners |
Benefits of Using Fogo Acceptable Bin Liners:
- Reduced contamination: Reduces plastic contamination and improves compost quality.
- Reduced odor: Wet food waste is easier to seal in the bag.
- Increased household participation: The bags encourage households to contribute food waste.
- Reduced pests: Especially effective against flying insects in summer.
- Easier transportation: The bags improve waste collection efficiency.
- Compliant with AS5810/AS4736 = Zero microplastics.
Why Does FOGO Reject “Biodegradable Bags”?
- “Biodegradable” ≠ compostable: Biodegradable bags may not fully decompose even after 10 years.
- “Oxo-degradable” bags are explicitly banned in Australia; state governments have completely banned them.
- Uncertified PLA bags = rejected by composting plants: Composting temperatures are not high enough for PLA to fully degrade.
- Most cheap “biodegradable bags” in supermarkets are fake eco-friendly: Almost none of them pass AS5810 or AS4736 standards.
2026 Municipal Procurement FOGO Caddy Liners Requirements
- Large Supply Capacity (Production/Storage)
- Multiple Sizes (7L–240L)
- Certification and Traceability (Logo + ABAP Number)
- Reliable Strength (Wet Strength)
- Food-Grade Ink (Water-Based)
- Long-Term Price Stability
- Customizable Municipal Branding
How to Choose Council Approved Compostable Bags for Your Project?
Step 1: Who are you?
- Residential users
- Restaurants
- Municipal
- Cleaning contractors
Step 2: Capacity Requirements
- 7L kitchen caddy
- 20–25L household
- 240L curbside bins
Step 3: Composting Methods
Home composting (AS5810 bags) ; Commercial composting (AS4736 bags)
Step 4: Budget and Usage Frequency
(Residential vs. Restaurant vs. Council)
Step 5: OEM Printing Required?
Uses:
- Municipal Education
- Brand Promotion
- Traceability System
Conclusion
Australia’s FOGO system is becoming increasingly strict, and the wrong type of bag can directly lead to:
- Contaminated compost output
- Loads being rejected by commercial composting facilities
- Lower household participation rates and reduced recycling efficiency
To ensure compliance, sustainability, and a smooth FOGO collection process:
Always use AS5810 or AS4736 certified FOGO compostable bags.
If you are looking for a reliable supplier that understands FOGO standards and council requirements, we can support you with:
- Council and municipal FOGO project solutions
- AS5810 / AS4736 certification reports
- Bulk order & wholesale pricing
- Free samples for testing
- OEM & custom-printed compostable bags for education campaigns and branding
