| |
| |
|
|
Issue
# 1
May
2006 |
| |
| |
|
| |
| in
partnership with:
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Welcome to the first edition of the Recycled Organics
National eNews.
3 editions of this email newsletter will
be published each year to inform the Recycled Organics sector
of relevant industry, government and research activities
around Australia. Future editions will also seek to include
New Zealand activities.
The Recycled Organics National eNews
will also assist the Recycled Organics Unit to ensure that
new information resources are catalogued and made universally
available via the www.rolibrary.com
on-line catalogue.
The Recycled Organics National eNews
and the www.rolibrary.com
on-line catalogue share the same scope, namely information
on:
Industry stakeholders can look forward
to remorseless pestering by myself and Nigel Shepherd (ROU
Science Communicator) for input into this newsletter, and
for submission of information resources to the www.rolibrary.com
on-line catalogue. The eNews concept is to provide a brief
identification of projects and activities, and contact details
for those interested in following up.
Thanks to all government and industry contributors
to this first edition. Thankyou to the Department of Environment
and Conservation NSW for sponsoring the newsletter. Thanks
to Compost Australia (a division of WMAA) and Angus Johnston,
the newly appointed WMAA National Projects Manager –
Recycled Organics. We look forward to continuing a close
cooperation with Compost Australia ensure ongoing success
and relevance of this newsletter.
Please note that results from the 2005
annual Compost Australia national industry survey (conducted
by the ROU) are now available on-line from www.compostaustralia.com.
The quantity of materials being processed shows the importance
of the Recycled Organics industry to the achievement of
Government waste minimisation and resource recovery targets,
and provides a basis for ongoing partnership in pursuit
of common objectives.
Thanks,
Angus Campbell,
Director, Recycled Organics Unit
|
|
|
|
| |
In September 2005, the Recycled Organics
Unit hosted the innaugural Recycled organics Research and
Development forum. The forum was structured over 2 days,
day 1 being attended by key researchers in the field from
around Australia to share information and experience, and
to identify research gaps and priorities. Day 2 was attended
by industry and Government agencies, and intended to focus
on the communication to support the transition of research
findings into practice.
Key outcomes of the forum are documented
below:
Key Issues
The forum documented the following as key issues
facing the sector:
1. Need for effective incentives / disincentives
(regulatory and financial) for the diversion and recovery
of organic materials:
• Who
pays for compost quality?
• Who
pays for “environmental services” value?
2. Need for level playing field, environmental/health risk
based regulation of all products to land.
3. How can we sustain productive and healthy soils?
4. Land use planning – loss of agricultural production
zones to urban development.
Key Policy Statements
The forum documented the following as key policy
statements for the sector:
1. Need for a clear national policy statement
promoting carbon based agriculture as fundamental to maintaining
productive soils.
2. Need for uniform national framework for organic products
for land application.
3. Need to develop an environmental credits trading scheme
that goes beyond carbon trading to enable/support environmentally/sustainable
agricultural practices.
Annual forum:
Researchers in attendance agreed that an annual
forum should be conducted, and that the development of an
R&D plan for the sector is a priority for the next forum.
The following was agreed for forum structure and scheduling:
|
|
|
Completed
projects or programs |
| |
Project: Guidelines for sustainable
separation and processing of bin collected organics (Vic)
Objective: To educate
processors and councils that don't have a program in place.
To provide a benchmark for current knowledge and to introduce
food organics inclusion into kerbside pickup services.
Abstract: The first bin
collected garden organics service in Victoria was introduced
by Bayside City Council in 1997. Factors such as government
waste minimisation policy, Work Safe manual handling regulations
combined with rate payer' expectations have resulted in
an increasing number of councils implementing kerbside collection
of source separated recyclable organics using mobile garbage
bins. This report is based on the experiences of councils
and processors, it aims to assist municipalities intending
to introduce kerbside organics collection and facilitate
sustainable processing of kerbside collected recycled organics.
Highlighted is the processors perspective, contamination
costs, food organics, biodegradable bags and a preferred
organics collection system.
Scope:
Geographical Location: based on Victorian knowledge but
applicable nationally.
Raw Materials: food organics and garden organics.
Product Type: compost .
Application Context: source separate municipal collection
systems.
Project Partners: Sustainability
Victoria; Waste Management Association of Australia; Centre
for Organic Resource Enterprise; Banyule City Council; Kenmore-dmp;
and Organic Recyclers.
Contact: Simone French, simonef@organicrecyclers.com.au
**************
Project: Improving Water
Quality in Catchments Using Compost Materials (NSW)
Objective: To evaluate
the use of composted products for rehabilitating degraded
soils in catchment areas.
Abstract: At the Enviro
06 Conference held in Melbourne this month, final outcomes
from a three year project between DEC and NSW DPI was presented
on the potential for use of compost for repairing degraded
land in catchment areas.
The study found that composted mulches and soil conditioners
complying with Australian Standard AS 4454 (2003) with 10%
of the contamination limit for light plastics are effective
in controlling soil erosion, and assisting in vegetation
establishment on degraded sites. Results suggest that quality
composted products can be a useful tool for repairing degraded
land in drinking water catchment areas.
Scope:
Geographical Location: water catchment areas in NSW.
Product Type: composted mulches and soil conditioners.
Application Context: rehabilitation of degraded land in
drinking water catchment areas.
Project Partners: Department
of Environment and Conservation (NSW) and NSW Department
of Primary Industries.
Contact: Mark Jackson (DEC NSW), mark.jackson@environment.nsw.gov.au
A fact sheet (and full report) to assist in promoting outcomes
and helping to develop this market is available at: http://www.resource.nsw.gov.au/publications.htm#ROCM_final
**************
Project: Regional Organics
Management Plans (NSW)
Objective: Regional Organics
Management Plans (ROMPs) was developed to facilitate sustainable
management of organic waste streams in rural regional New
South Wales and to realise the benefits of applying recycled
organics to local agricultural soils.
Abstract: At the Enviro
06 Conference held in Melbourne this month, final outcomes
from a state-wide DEC (NSW) project were presented on potential
organic feedstock for regional aggregation and processing.
The approach adopted by the regions was
to conduct a comprehensive residual organic resource supply
inventory, focusing on all potential sources of biomass
generated within the area of interest. A great many residues
from plant and animal farming activities are used for other
purposes, particularly stock feed. The overwhelming majority
of these materials are not seen, or managed as ‘wastes’.
There are general classes of wastes that
almost universally present a problem. These include biosolids,
grease trap wastes, some abattoir and saleyards wastes,
commercial food wastes and garden organics. Manures are
land applied on site, composted on site – or transported
for off-site composting or land application.
Many distinct opportunities are available
in each region studied. However making the required linkages
and overcoming the economic barriers by new ways of market
intervention are essential in order to drive the process.
Scope:
Geographical Location: regional NSW.
Raw Materials: organic waste, agricultural waste, biosolids.
Application Context: sustainable management of organic waste
streams in rural and regional areas.
Project Partners: Department
of Environment and Conservation (NSW) and Voluntary regional
waste groups.
Contact: Darren Bragg (DEC NSW), darren.bragg@environment.nsw.gov.au
A fact sheet (and full report) to assist in promoting outcomes
and helping to develop this market is available at: The
full paper is available in the Enviro06 proceedings.
|
|
|
Release
of publications, standards, regulations |
| |
A number of publications are currently
being finalised around the country, a listing of 2006 financial
year publications will be included in the next edition.
|
|
|
|
| |
Compost Australia
The Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA)
has employed a National Projects Manager – Recycled
Organics in January 2006 to work specifically with Compost
Australia on implementing the Compost Supply Chain Roadmap.
The position is funded partially by the industry but also
by the five mainland state governments. The position is
filled by Angus Johnston who has a two year contract with
the Association. Angus works full-time at WMAA's Burwood
(NSW) office but visits the other states on a regular basis.
The Compost Supply Chain Roadmap was officially
launched at Australian Parliament House on 13 February 2006
by the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister for Environment. The aim of the Roadmap project
is to develop a viable and sustainable organics recycling
industry across Australia. Ongoing industry development
includes new product and market identification and development
of strategic plans that target both niche and wide-ranging
markets for recycled organics. The final Roadmap document
can be downloaded at www.compostroadmap.com.au
Compost Australia had its AGM, Compost
Day Seminar and Dinner on 8 May 2006 in Melbourne. The committee,
consisting of 3 representatives nominated by each state
working group, was confirmed and the existing executive
re-elected unopposed (Peter Wadewitz, Rob Niccol and Tony
Emery). A standard procedure for making and recording decisions
was formally accepted by the AGM as was a change in the
charge for membership. From the beginning of the new financial
year new members will be charged $130 for Compost Australia
annual membership (plus membership dues for WMAA) but will
automatically be registered as members of their state working
groups (no additional cost).
WMAA has approved internal funding of over
$70,000 for compost related projects during 2006. A key
role of the National Projects Officer is to seek and manage
additional funding from state and federal sources in order
to implement the Roadmap strategies. Upcoming target grants
include the AusIndustry Industry Cooperative Innovation
Program and the Water Smart Australia Program. A wide network
of project partners is being tapped to help win grants and
effectively implement them.
See www.compostaustralia.com
for the latest information on the industry and to download
copies of Compost Australia minutes and reports.
Compost New South Wales
The 3F regulation (Fill, Fertilisers & Fuel),
which is in a consultative phase for the first half of 2006,
requires everyone intending to apply ‘waste’
or waste derived product to land to obtain an exemption
(or get a landfill license). Overall Compost NSW would like
the 3F to address environment risks, human health risks
and bio-security issues without an unnecessarily restrictive
regulatory setting. Letters have been exchanged with the
DEC and it is likely that a blanket exemption for composts
(and maybe other recycled organics) will be possible. John
Vyse is coordinating consultation and industry response
on this issue.
Processors suggest that consultation over
3F highlights different views to risk taken by industry
and government, in relation to compostable organic materials
such as garden vegetation and food waste, with industry
viewing risk as something to be managed in the production
cycle.
The 3F regulation is not likely be implemented
until the middle of next year. Meanwhile Compost NSW is
examining ways to develop new markets and communicate the
value of their environmental services to disposal customers
(for example local government). These twin strategies help
address the marketing challenge created by saturation of
local urban amenity markets coupled with government policy
driving diversion of organic waste from landfill.
Compost Victoria
Compost VIC has been focused on three specific
strategies: developing a product quality management tool;
market development; and developing guidelines for managing
contamination throughout the supply chain.
Development of the product quality management
tool has progressed to the pilot stage with three Victorian
processors subjecting themselves to the auditing process.
While there has been some consultation with other states,
further consultation and development will occur nationally
after the Victorian pilot phase is complete (after June).
The QM tool is intended for use in a National Compost Product
Certification and Marketing scheme to be developed during
2006). The tool is distinct from the Australian Standards
because it is designed to provide the certainty required
to ‘brand’ fit-for-purpose products. AS4454
will continue to be the benchmark standard for quality recycled
organic products.
Complementing this approach, Compost VIC
have been working on a market development strategy with
Sustainability Victoria aimed at developing more diverse
markets for fit-for-purpose products, which involves: interviews
with processors; responding to feedback; improving consultation
and relationships with local government; and expanding regional
markets. Compost VIC are also seeking local council and
other government feedback on guidelines to deal with green
organics contamination. They are looking to create momentum
from an Enviro2006 contamination workshop while promote
general awareness of Compost VIC and defining the key issues
for the management of recycled organics.
Compost South Australia
Compost SA has just completed a restructuring phase
to include representatives from government bodies including:
the Environment Protection Authority; Zero Waste, Local
Government and Rural Solutions (formerly the Department
of Primary Industries). One aim of the restructure is to
proactively engage government organisations to create a
closer working relationship between government and the recycled
organics industry. A review of Compost SA strategic plan
is now underway and includes a new program of 5-6 meetings
annually and a series of workshops including one in May
2006 with Bob Rynk.
A key challenge facing the recycled organics
industry in SA, and Compost SA, is the low $20/tonne landfill
fee in Adelaide. This acts as a significant deterrent for
people to engage in recycling and therefore undermines the
financial viability of recycling in SA.
The up side is that the inclusion of government
representatives in Compost SA’s new organisational
structure, which will provide an opportunity to address
serious issues and develop a closer working relationship.
The industry, with the help of the SA government, has announced
it will appoint an Industry Development Officer to compliment
the work of the National Projects Manager by working on
local projects and industry development activities.
Compost Queensland
Compost QLD have been positioning themselves to
undertake a WMAA funded survey of food and vegetable growers
to be conducted through Grocom and the Department of Primary
Industries. The aim of the survey is to identify the needs
of the industry and develop an industry approach to organic
soils and mulches. In late May there will be the Stanthorpe
seminar in collaboration with the viticulture industry where
Bob Paulin from the WA Department of Agriculture will be
the keynote speaker.
Compost stockpiles have the potential to
become an election issue for Local government, so Brisbane
City Council is taking the proactive step of conducting
horticultural and viticultural trials to test recycled organics
products. The aim of the trials is to develop new markets
for these products. It is a three phase project involving:
attracting 15 farms to participate; running scientific trials
conducted by DPI; and finally improving water filtration
and utilisation by using recycled organics.
There are several issues that Compost QLD
will be dealing with in the near future including:
• Examining the Compost Victoria organisational
model for adaptation and application to Queensland;
• Coming to terms with better definition
of products for certain uses;
• The land application of biosolids;
• Leveling the playing field between the poultry
manure industry and the recycled organics
industry (currently the RO & Compost industry have to
comply with more stringent
quality controls and a tougher regulatory environment);
and
• Addressing the lack of State government
support; and resolving problems with the EPA where
field officers were not acting professionally.
Recycled Organics Western Australia (ROWA)
The formation of the peak body Recycled Organics
WA (or ROWA) is now complete, as is the development of a
realistic and focused strategic plan to take the RO sector
forward. ROWA's current priorities are two-fold. The preparation
of a position paper for the recycled organics sector put
to the WA government and, with funds from WMAA, the development
of a national pilot communications plan for internal and
external procedures as a part of ROWA's commitment to the
Compost Supply Chain Roadmap.
Looming large on the agenda for ROWA is
the Resource Recovery Rebate Scheme (RRRScheme or RRRScam
as it is commonly known in the industry). Presently a landfill
levy is distributed to local government. The Waste Management
Board WA is stopping the this on the 1st July and is considering
rebates for recycled products. ROWA are making representations
on behalf of the industry to have recycled organics clearly
identified within the recycled products suite of the RRRS.
This would create the conditions for a market pull situation
(as identified in the CSC Roadmap) as opposed to the current
market push with the simple lever being $'s.
|
|
|
|
| |
Department of
Environment and Conservation (DEC) New South Wales
The major focus of the Sustainability Programs Division
Organics Program within the DEC NSW is to deliver projects
to assist in the recovery and beneficial reuse of organic
materials diverted from landfill in NSW. The rapid increases
in both collection services and quantity reprocessed has
led to the decreased ability of the commercial processors
and councils to market the resultant product. The recent
drought has reduced the amount of material presented for
processing, thereby reducing the revenue stream for processors,
whilst also impacting severely on the nursery and landscaping
industries which is a major market for recycled organics.
DEC NSW has undertaken
a number of projects designed to develop viable and sustainable
markets for recycled organic products. These include:
• Scientific and demonstration sites established
to prove the benefits of recycled organics
in catchment protection and as a focus for training.
• A trial on Windsor Road, Rouse Hill, using
composted mulch has been established in partnership
with the RTA with a view to including this material in RTA
specifications.
• Long term trials testing the cost benefit
of compost application in vegetable growing and
in viticulture,
• Mine site remediation trials using compost
to assist the growth of native trees, shrubs and
grasses,
• On–farm salinity and two roadside infrastructure
trial sites established to study the benefits
of tree plantings using recycled organics,
• Researching and providing industry tools and
training for the prevention of persistent herbicide
contamination in recycled organics,
• The development of Life Cycle Inventory Data and
the conduct of a full Life Cycle Analysis
for recycled organics produced by windrow composting,
• A set of regional organics inventories has
been established across NSW to encourage aggregation
of materials and linkages between industry sectors to improve
the potential for recycling organic
materials in regional NSW,
• The Recycled Organics Unit, a partnership
between the Department and the University of
NSW, has completed a wide range of industry support and
information projects which have
become increasingly relied upon by the recycled organics
industry and decision makers nation
wide,
• A cost/benefit calculator has been developed
so councils can estimate the economic returns
they can expect from increasing their use of compost,
• A partnership established with the NSW Golf
Course Superintendents Association for the
establishment of five trials at different courses across
the Sydney Region.
For further information
contact: Darren Bragg, darren.bragg@environment.nsw.gov.au
Sustainable Victoria
On 1st October 2005, EcoRecycle Victoria merged
with the Sustainable Energy Authority to become Sustainable
Victoria. The new organisation has responsibility for the
implementation and promotion of government policies and
plans related to sustainable resource use including energy,
materials use, solid waste, and water. The business plan
for 2006/07-08/09 is now being finalised. Victoria has set
aggressive targets for resource efficiency and resource
recovery, and recycled organics represents a major element
of those targets. Sustainability Victoria are focusing on
several projects as immediate priorities from marketing
and research to information and education.
The marketing strategy
for recycled organics is still emerging and the challenge
is to grow the market by 15-20% per annum. Market research
has identified that the fines products market is good, however
markets for undifferentiated mulches are often saturated
and there is a need to grow markets for a range of compost
products that are differentiated, higher quality and fit-for-purpose.
The future need and role for sustainable energy recovery
from organic resources is also being considered. Market
development grants worth $300 000 have been taken up for
the differentiating of RO products and for the promotion
of recycled organics into urban, horticulture, viticulture
and land rehabilitation markets. The Department of Primary
Industries is undertaking trials on the application of RO
in vegetable production, and will participate in grower
groups based around demonstration trials in viticulture
and horticulture.
Best practice /Preferred
Standards for industry are being promoted through the Business
Program. Model Contracts and Preferred Standards documents
for best value tendering in the local government sector
are being recommended to encourage local councils to contract
their waste services based on best value as opposed to the
cheapest. Best Practice standards are also promoted through
the Best Practice Incentive funding of up to $8 per tonne
of processed organics for the first five years of a municipal
contract using eligible controlled environment organics
processing systems. Over 60,000 tpa are currently being
processed by facilities supported by the scheme, and it
is expected that at least an additional 150,000 tpa of materials
will be processed through supported facilities by 2008.
A strategy is being worked on to deal with green organics
contamination across the supply chain – with households
being encouraged to reduce contamination, councils and contractors
being encouraged to undertake effective monitoring and enforcement
to reduce contamination, and processed being encouraged
to invest in systems and technologies that can more cost
effectively remove contamination. Households are also to
be encouraged to adopt sustainability behaviour (eg. low
waste gardens and home composting of food waste).
For further information
contact: Bill Grant, bill.grant@sustainability.vic.gov.au
Zero Waste South Australia
Zero Waste SA are focused on two immediate R&D
priorities for recycled organics in South Australia. An
organics collection trial involving 1800 homes in the City
of Burnside, East Waste (waste collection) and Jefferies
Group (processors) aims to increase the market capacity
for green organics by focusing on infrastructure and market
development. The trial introduces a basket and compostable
biodegradable bag for household waste food organics. The
bag is placed in the green organics bin every 2-3 days and
the bin is picked up fortnightly instead of monthly. It
is envisaged that this trial will test the market and technology
for an eventual roll-out program that will be adapted for
local councils across metropolitan Adelaide. Other R&D
priorities for Zero Waste SA include disease suppression
research and funding for an industry development officer.
For further information
contact: Angus Mitchell, angus.mitchell@state.sa.gov.au
Environment Protection
Authority South Australia
The EPA SA is the regulator dealing with recycled
organics in South Australia. It is working on waste definitions
that will feed into composting guidelines which are still
in production. The Environment Protection (Waste to Resources)
Policy is also still in production. For some composters
who wish to increase the variety of their feedstocks, variations
to the development approval may be needed through Planning
SA. The EPA continues to liaise with Planning SA regarding
this.
For further information
contact: Sharon Jamieson, sharon.jamieson@epa.sa.gov.au
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Queensland
Qld EPA is sending information which will be published
in the next edition.
For further information
contact: Kylie Hughes, kylie.hughes@epa.qld.gov.au
Department of Environment (DoE) Western Australia
DoE WA immediate priorities for recycled organics
concern policy and research. Soon to be made available by
DoE WA is the organisations Policy /Strategy statement.
This statement will be followed by the release of the interim
draft Standards for Organics Applied to Land (except Standards
for Biosolids) , which will be released for public comment
. Next year' s business plan will include education for
home composters and market development for recycled organics
products.
The first interim standard
has enabled testing for composted waste to be initiated
and research has been engaged in collaboration with the
WA Dept of Agriculture. The chemical take up by plants in
growth mediums including compost samples is to be conducted
by Bob Paulin. DoE WA have also been engaged in reviewing
the regulations on guidelines for compost facilities.
For further information
contact: Jill Lethlean, jill.lethlean@environment.wa.gov.au
Australian Capital Territory No Waste (ACT NOWaste)
Due to recent staff changes and restructuring,
ACT NOWaste currently has no staff member responsible for
organics recovery/recycled organics. We hope to report on
relevant activities in the next edition.
|
|
|
|
|
eNews is edited by Nigel
Shepherd, Recycled Organics Unit.
Submissions are welcome: |
|
This section of eNews provides a soapbox platform
for industry stakeholders to communicate burning issues and
to initiate discussion.
We have our disclaimer in place, so with due regard to defamation
law, go for your lives. |
|
| — —
— — — — — — — —
— — — — — — — —
— — — — — — — |
|
| |
The
views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily
represent the views of the ROU or sponsors. |
|
Submissions
are welcome via email from stakeholders concerning particular
issues. Note that submissions must be relevant to the scope
of the newsletter: to provide information on activities relating
to the recovery and management of compostable organic materials
and the manufacture and use of recycled organics products. |
| |
|
|
|
Submission
process and newsletter subscription |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
