This article was originally published in Waste Management Review. 

Source Separation Systems have recently announced they are opening a new distribution centre in Melbourne.

The site will provide an important operational base from which the team will manage FOGO distribution projects. As Peter Cruwys Managing Director explains;

The number of FOGO projects we are managing in Victoria is increasing dramatically as we continue to partner with more Local Council and Waste Contractor clients. Given we already make our Kitchen Caddies in Victoria with the Post-Consumer Recycled content from the area, it makes sense for us to also have a distribution base here as well. I’m excited that through this investment, we will be even more responsive to customers’ needs.

The facility is in the commercial precinct in Rowville, which is a central location to several of the neighbouring communities which the team are working with. The facility includes almost 1000sqm of warehouse space, as well as offices. There are also plans for a showroom which will be available by appointment.

Although there are renovations planned to revitalise the display pace, and open up the office spaces, the facility will commence operations in May 2022 with the FOGO team rolling into the City of Whitehorse in partnership with JJs Waste and Recycling.

This initial project involves the distribution of approximately 50,000 FOGO Kits, which have been specifically designed to optimise adoption within this multicultural community.

Utilising their unique FOGO Distribution Software, the Source Separation Systems team will be taking the unique FOGO Caddy Kit to each eligible residential household. The innovative kits will include;

• An A5 Educational Kit is included within each Caddy, explaining the program in depth in multiple languages.
• The Kitchen Caddy has been designed as a Hybrid approach, featuring a Vented lid and Solid base, both of which has been made from up to 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content. This design maintains the convenience of a solid base, whilst the Vented Lid will allow some aeration around the food waste, encouraging evaporation and so minimising smells.
• The Caddy also features an innovative full colour in-mould label, which is moulded into the lid during construction for durability. The graphics were created by Source Separation Systems’ Designer Natasha, who leveraged her extensive industry experience in FOGO to develop a unique design in consultation with the council project team. It features both colour photos and a multi-lingual approach to ensure instructions are available and accessible to a wide community every time the caddy is used.
• A roll of 150 Australian Certified Compost-A-Pak Liners, which are also customised with a multi-lingual print.

As Peter concludes;

The FOGO rollout to the City of Whitehorse has been planned exceptionally well by the Council and JJs Waste and Recycling teams, who have focused on ensuring the kits and communication messages are really tailored for their unique community. It’s a great omen for the building that the inaugural project is going to be such a successful one.