AORA February 2023 Newsletter

The final day of February 2023 is also the final day for submissions for the PFAS NEMP 3.0 Consultation Draft.

AORA on behalf of the Australian organics recycling industry (AORI), requested and received a proposal from ADE Consulting Group (Dr Matthew Askeland) to develop a response on behalf of AORI to the PFAS NEMP 3.0 Consultation Draft.

Dr Askeland has worked closely with AORA including a PFAS presentation at our 2022 National Conference in Adelaide and more recently, at our Annual Members Meeting in November 2022 in Sydney. Dr Askeland is considered an authority on PFAS and his understanding of this complex topic and additionally, how it relates to organic recycling, is considered unparalleled in Australia.

Dr Askeland developed, with strong support and in consultation with AORI processing members, a submission to the PFAS NEMP 3.0 Consultation Draft, made via AORA.

AORA acknowledges and thanks all of the AORI processing members who have contributed to the development of our PFAS NEMP 3.0 Consultation Draft submission. This issue and the need to present a strong and united approach from our industry has been a very positive example of industry collaboration lead by the industry peak body.

John McKew

National Executive Officer

Australian Organics Recycling Association

Welcome to new AORA Members

Victorian MATS Project

AORA Vic’s MATS partnership with EPA Vic, DEECA and SV is now in full swing. The acronym stands for Market Acceleration Through Sampling – it is not a regulatory exercise and is aimed at identifying emerging contaminants in processed organic materials in order to be “ahead of the game”.

his will allow strategic decisions to be implemented early, avoiding reactive measures later on. One of the focus areas is Microplastics.

Details have been presented to AORA Vic Members and it is pleasing to report that virtually all of Processors have agreed to participate on the basis that the samples will be de-identified, with only AORA being able to match results with sample sources.

Engagements of Sample Takers and Analytical Laboratories are being finalised in early March so that sample taking can commence later that month.

Analyses and interpretations will be finalised before the end of June 23 so that they can be discussed with the sector and so that consideration of possible additional rounds of sampling can be considered.

Upcoming AORA Events

AORA NSW March Committee Meeting



Thursday 9 March

8am - 9.30am

Veolia Chullora (70 Anzac Street, Chullora)

or via Zoom

AORA NSW members are encouraged come along to our next meeting, where we will hear from Phatm about their pilot composting trials with innovative natural materials (such as PHA, nanocellulose,seaweed-based materials, myco-materials, lignin, etc.) which are showing increasing potential as drop-in replacements for many fossil-plastic products. We will also have an update from the NSW EPA on the latest funding announcements for the Net Zero Organics program.

Our meetings provide an excellent opportunity to network and stay up to date across the industry with regular agenda items including updates on regulatory matters and member events. All attendees are also invited to raise other business as they see fit.

All NSW members are welcome to attend meetings anytime, however registration is compulsory, with the agenda issued by email to those who have registered prior to the meeting.

If you would like to receive invitations to register for NSW Committee meetings, please send an email to nswcoordinator@aora.org.au. Please note that only members that “accept” the meeting invitation will receive the Meeting Agenda and the resulting Updates and Actions.

AORA Victoria Breakfast



Thursday 6 April 2023

8.30am Breakfast

9.30am - 11.30am Presentations

Sustainability Victoria - Level 12, 321 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

We are still developing the finer details of this event,hosted by AORA and SV but we know it will be of particular interest to Parks and Garden teams in local government as this will the be one of the first chances to get a copy of SV’s new information booklet; Benefits of council’s using recycled organic compost.

Presentations and information will also be provided about the following;

• Update of SV’s Council waste education materials
• Briefing by EPA/DEECA on the joint (government & industry) product testing program ‘Markets Acceleration through Sampling’
• Information about the AORA National Conference - Melbourne, 7-9 June
• Information about Field Day event in August.
• Member special offer information about AWRE and Waste Expo.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast and tea/coffee whilst you interact with local government and industry colleagues.

Registration portal will be open soon, any early enquiries may go to vicsecretary@aora.org.au.

Exploring Organic Amendments



Wednesday 10 May

9am - 2.30pm

Coonawarra, SA

At this workshop we will be exploring organic amendments with Dr Melissa Fraser ( Soil Functioning Consulting ), Tim Marshall (TM Organics ). With the support of the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, through funding from the “National Landcare Program Smart Farms Small Grants – an Australian Government initiative", we will also be offering a field visit to Penley Estate Soil macrofauna diversity sampling along with hearing first hand Penley Estate’s experience with compost and their future plan for native seeding.

Why you should attend? 

• Ideal training for agronomist working with and advising on biologicals for their clients
• Increase your awareness of landscape evolution & what’s unique to the region (SE)
• Increase your knowledge of the function of soil microbes & the role they play in creating healthy soils & plants
• Increase your awareness of O’A’s and know what’s available locally
• What makes good compost?
• Know what to ask compost manufacturers to ensure quality & certification
• Examine different approaches to making high quality compost at the scale required on farm
• Compost blending theory & practical insights
• Focus on regenerative and organic.

Call for speakers for AWRE

Have something to say on issues affecting the waste, recycling and resource recovery industry?

The call for speakers to participate in AWRE 2023’s Seminar Series is now open!

AWRE is seeking experts across the commercial & industrial, construction & demolition, and municipal solid waste sectors.

this is your opportunity to share presentations and case studies, and participate in panel discussions with over 2,000 waste and recycling professionals.

Applications close COB 10 March 2023 - submit your application today: https://bit.ly/3jVr86p

Join us in the AORA Organics Zone at AWRE

The popular AORA Organics Zone returns in 2023. AORA Members get access to an exclusive stand package which includes:

• 3m x 2m Schell Scheme (Octanorm frame)
• 1 x signagepanel positioned in the middle of your stand
• 2 x chairs and 1 x table
• 1 x LED on arm and 1 x 4amp power outlet per stand.

Next month the Waste & Resource Strategy Summit returns for its 5th year to explore the present and future of waste management, resource recovery, the circular economy, and sustainability across the industry. AORA will be there and we’d love to see our members taking part in these important discussions.

This year’s event focuses on the essential issues impacting both public and private sector operations and their ability to capitalise on the economic and sustainability potential of waste management and resource recovery.

AORA’s National Executive Officer John McKew will be presenting alongside some of the nation’s throughout leaders on circularity, including:

• Lisa McLean, Chief Executive Officer, NSW Circular
• Leisbet Spanjaard, Executive Director, Engagement, Education and Programs, NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
• Wade Mosse, Head of Resource Recovery, Coles
• Janet Leslie, Manager – Sustainability, Canon Australia
• Margaret Stuart, Director, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Oceania, Nestlé
• Phillip Woods, Strategic Planning Manager – Resource Recovery and Circular Economy, Sydney Water
• Esther Bailey, Head of Systems Transformation, Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)
• Alice Kuepper, Head of Sustainable Business and Corporate Responsibility, Winning Group
• Joanne Hayes, Head of Sustainability and Communications, Bridgestone ANZ
• Naomi Martin, Sustainability Manager, Residential Construction, Mirvac
• Blaise Porter, Director, Group Corporate Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, Sims Limited
• Alan Jones, Operations and Maintenance Director, Avertas Energy
• Aífe O’Loughlin, Senior Manager – Circular Economy, Salvos Stores

AORA members save 10% off the registration fee with VIP code ‘AORA10’.

Book online or call +61 (0)2 9977 0565 to secure your tickets.

AORA Event Reports

Best on Ground –the benefits of procuring recycled organics

Thursday 23 February

AORA is proud to partner with the NSW EPA for 2023 to present a suite of events which this year will be focused on helping us grow and promote end markets for compost products. Our pilot event, Best on Ground, focused on the benefits of using recycled organics products for council and large infrastructure projects, and was hosted at recycle organics success story, the very green Middle Head Oval (Mosman Council).

Thanks to some serve thunderstorms hitting the region the night before the event and gloomy clouds overhead and patches of rain throughout the morning, the 50+ attendees at Best on Ground got to experience the water retaining qualities of recycled organics on a sporting field first hand!

A little bit of wild weather didn’t stop us for getting together for crepes, coffee and compost chatter with industry experts including Dr Mick Battam (AgEnviro), Geoff Green (Green Horticultural Group), Mike Twemlow (Edge Environment), Malcolm Sheens and John Gordon (Penrith City Council), Catriona Carver (Natural Turf Alliance) and Amanda Kane (NSW EPA). Thanks to all our presenters for providing such engaging presentations in the great outdoors!

It was great to welcome some new members to AORA, and wonderful too to see some new faces at AORA events. If you missed this one, make sure you join us for the next one!

Thanks to our Breakfast sponsor, Cleanaway, for putting on the Crepes and Coffee, and also to Mosman Council, for allowing us to use the oval.

AORA NSW looks forward to developing more events with the NSW EPA to promote our compost products and build connections within the broader industry between producers and purchasers.

Learn why municipal solid waste education matters

Friday 17 February

We gathered to discuss municipal waste. How it affects our processing members and what is being done to address the issue of contamination.

Moderated by AORA NEO John McKew, processors, councils, waste management, educators and AORA members were able to ask questions and discuss openly their concerns.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate, Environment & Water Hon Susan Close MP, opened the event and then the focus turned to panel members; Jessica Wundke, Green Industries SA, Lachlan Jeffries, Jeffries Group, Shani Wood, City of Holdfast Bay, Wendy Bevan, KESAB environmental solutions and Simon Grenfell, Fleurieu Regional Waste Authority.

The three common points that came out of the discussions;

1.      Single use items

2.      Education, legislation & enforcement

3.      Regain consumer confidence & getting the “why” to resonate better with the community.

Of Interest