Notwithstanding that I am still very new to the Australian organics recycling industry, what is very evident to me at this moment are the discussions and debates around what constitutes compostable, especially in relation to packaging, and what can/cannot be assigned to the FOGO bin. These are not mutually exclusive issues either. The continuing rollout of FOGO by councils right across the country are spotlighting this confusion and concern. The objectives are clear and sound, no one argues the merits of diverting organic material away from landfill and reducing food waste is very important. But we have to get the execution and messaging clear and correct - if it can be eaten or grows in your garden it goes in the FOGO bin. As they say, if it grows it goes......in your FOGO bin.

The risks of not getting this right are high – we don’t meet our objectives of reducing landfill and reducing food waste, we put an extra burden on the organics recycling industry which in turn will lead to inflated costs for sorting/managing the feedstock, potentially higher landfill fees and a breakdown in the end market for outputs i.e., a loss of confidence in our industry and its products. When the later occurs, you have a supply chain that is potentially unsustainable, and no one wants that. Certified compostable packaging options will continue to develop and there will be an evolution of acceptable items that can go into the FOGO bin, over time.

The role of AORA, as the industry’s peak industry body, is to advocate, communicate and collaborate on these issues and to ensure governments, regulators and those with a vested interest in this understand the issues, especially from an organics recycling industry perspective. AORA is an integral part of the discussion and debate, and we too have to have clear and concise policy positions on these issues which we are continuing to develop and refine. If you have any doubt about the value of your AORA membership, our commitment and effort in this area alone should allay that concern.

On a last point, don’t forget to register for one of our AORA Economic Contribution 2nd Edition webinars that start next week. For more information and to register, head to the AORA website (https://www.aora.org.au/ec-aori-2022) and also see the snippet of info from the report below.

John McKew

National Executive Officer

Australian Organics Recycling Association

As well as trade exhibits, the AWRE2022 Resource Recovery Summit included presentations from AORA NSW Chair Charlie Emery who co-presented a session on The Challenges of Procuring FOGO Solutions, and Virginia Brunton (MRA) and Lea Maguero (BioPak) who presented on Food Waste in the Hospitality Industry.

Key themes across all presentations were the need for collaboration and policy certainty to achieve a circular economy.

Each year, the International Compost Awareness Week Committee holds a poster contest to pick a new design for the annual poster.

The 2023 International Compost Awareness Week theme is truly a collaborative and international effort. This year, we teamed up with the International Compost Alliance (ICA) to select: For Healthier Soil, Healthier Food…Compost!

AORA is a proud sponsor of ICAW and a founding member of the ICA .

The poster competition is open to anyone aged 14 and over, around the world. 

Please share this with your networks - we would love to see an Australian design this year!

Learn more; https://compostfoundation.org/ICAW/ICAW-Poster-Contest

Sponsorship Benefits include;

The report shows that the industry is an important contributor to the Australian economy. Results of a macro-economic analysis of the industry reveal the following.

▪ 314 businesses operating;

▪ Recycled and processed of 7.7 million tonnes of organic material in 2021-22;

▪ Providing 5,032 jobs to Australian residents;

▪ Pays over a $386 million in wages and salaries and an additional $40.5 million towards employee superannuation;

▪ Provides an average livelihood to each employee within the industry of $76,710 which compares to Australian average weekly earnings of $69,103;

▪ Has a collective industry turnover of over $2.1 billion;

▪ Sources and provides $1.9 billion in benefit across its supply chain;

▪ Invests $156 million in land, buildings, plant and equipment and vehicles each year; and

▪ Contributes $781 million in industry value add to the Australian economy.

If you would like to know more, make sure you register for the webinars! The report and webinars are exclusive to AORA members. If you are not a member, and would like access please email admin@aora.org.au to join.

The Lakes Golf Club, Sydney

AORA AGM and Annual Members Forum + NSW Xmas Drinks

Adelaide Zoo

AORA SA Christmas Event

AORA Partner News

More information on BASF’s range of certified compostable and soil biodegradable materials can be found at www.biopolymers.basf.com or by email to rowan.williams@basf.com

For more information and to nominate, visit: www.wasteawards.com.au

The team at University of Technology, Sydney Institute for Sustainable Futures together with an international speaker are running a Masterclass on 7^th September proposing solutions to climate and circularity problems Australia, diving deep into a priority topic - improving our management of organics (food and green organics).

Watch here

If you have a story, link or news to share with AORA members, please email Alex