From the National Executive Director |
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In the next few weeks, we will be in the midst of the 2022 Federal election campaign.
We will hear the usual lines about this being the “most important election in a generation” or “our last chance to (insert whatever issue happens to be important to the person making the pronouncement)”.
We hear similar lines at every election, and they are rarely true. One of the great benefits of democracy is that we get the opportunity to change our minds three years down the track, if we wish.
That said, every election really is vital for someone. There is always an issue, a sector of our society, or a part of our community, for whom a specific election is a closed door or the opportunity for a brighter future. In some ways, this election is vital for Australia’s organics recycling industry.
The last two years has seen a greater focus on our industry’s future by government – Federal, state and local – than we have ever had. Every level of government has plans, and in many cases funding, to deliver growth in our industry to levels never before contemplated. There has been an extraordinary alignment of policy and financial decisions to support our growth. We have not yet seen the results of these decisions, but they are coming and fast.
I do not believe there is a risk that the outcome of this election will turn back this tide of change in our favour. The economic, environmental and social benefits of our industry are too great for that to happen. The risk is more that the eyes of government will move to other priorities deemed to be more urgent, and the focus on our industry will move to the backburner. We cannot let this happen. AORA will not let this happen.
Over the next few weeks and months, we will provide regular updates on AORA’s engagement with the Federal Government and Opposition. We will update you on policy announcements from the major parties which may affect our industry, whether positive or negative. And we will provide you with some simple questions to put to your local candidates about their support for the future of our industry.
Peter Olah
National Executive Officer
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Welcome to our new AORA Members
Associate Members
LoadScan
JDM Australia
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AORA NSW April Committee Meeting
Wednesday 6 April
11am - 12pm via Microsoft Teams
Agenda items for the April meeting will include an update from the NSW EPA on the FOGO mandates. Aaron Spadaro (Manager, Major Projects and Initiatives, Regulatory Policy, Initiatives and Advice NSW EPA) will present on the draft FOGO regulations which are due for release around the time of the April meeting. There will also be an overview of the Joint Procurement options consultation.
Please note that whilst all NSW members are welcome to attend meetings anytime, registration is compulsory, with the agenda issued by email prior to the meeting. Please RSVP via email to nswcoordinator@aora.org.au
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Last chance for tickets to the Canberra Networking Breakfast
Thursday 7 April
8.00 am – 10.00am
The National Arboretum - Margaret Whitlam Pavillion
AORA’s networking breakfast will host a panel led discussion session facilitated by Christopher Malan (Cleanaway) with key representatives from ACT NoWaste, Corkhill Bros, consultancy and the horticultural industry sharing their insights and key learnings from the ACT FOGO experience so far.
The ACT Government commenced their trial FOGO collection service in November 2021 with the pilot suburbs of Belconnen, Bruce, Cook and Macquarie receiving a weekly FOGO service with general rubbish moved to a fortnightly collection. The pilot aims to better understand contamination rates and how a FOGO collection service can be implemented successfully across individual households and multi-unit developments before being rolled out to the rest of Canberra in 2023. You can find out
AORA members: $42 + GST
Non- members: $70 + GST
There are only a few seats left so don't miss out!
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Join us for the AORA VIC Meeting and Social Event
***Members Only Event***
Friday 8 April
11.00am -3.00pm
Bleakhouse Hotel
- A chance to get together to review our programs and our interactions with State Government. Presentations from AgVic and SV among others, followed by lunch and drinks.
- Presentations commence 11.45 am
- Social / lunch session 1 pm until approx. 3 pm
- Ticket price $40 per head includes grazing menu and two drinks
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Waste 2022 – AORA Breakfast Forum – FOGO by 2030
Registrations and accommodation bookings for the Waste 2022 Conference are now open. As part of your registration, you can opt to attend the AORA breakfast forum on Tuesday 3 May.
“FOGO by 2030” will discuss the challenges and pitfalls of procuring FOGO solutions with legal and regulatory experts as well as “up and running” FOGO Councils.
The panel will be facilitated by Mike Ritchie and includes:
· Talebul Islam - Coordinator Strategic Waste Management, Randwick City Council
· Wesley Knight – Manager Waste Operations, Tweed Shire Council; Chair RENEW NSW
· Ross Fox - Principal (Accredited Specialist Planning and Environment), Fishburn Watson O’Brien Lawyers
· Boyd Russell - Director, Sphere Infrastructure
· Sian McGhie - Senior Project Officer, Circular Economy Programs, NSW Environment Protection Authority.
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AORA Conference
27 -29 June 2022
Stamford Grand, SA
Registrations open next week!
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Join the AORA Organics Zone at AWRE
The Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo (AWRE) is Australia’s longest running marketplace for buyers and suppliers in our nation’s waste and recycling sector.
Over two-days, you’ll directly connect with large numbers of highly engaged visitors and put your company in front of senior decision makers from some of the nation’s most notable organisations.
As an exhibitor at AWRE, not only will you be able to generate high value leads and form long-lasting, profitable business relationships, but you’ll also gain access to a targeted platform to extend your marketing reach, as well as launch or promote your products and services to the people who matter.
The AORA Organics Zone is an initiative in partnership with the Australian Organics Recycling Association where AORA members can gain access to an inclusive stand package that is an easy and cost-effective way to join AWRE and to be part of the premier annual business event for the waste, recycling and resource recovery sector.
Join AORA and the industry at AWRE, where the best come together to join forces for a world of solutions towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
To find out more about AWRE click here. To enquire about booking your stand at the AORA organics zone, you can contact the team at awre@divcom.net.au and one of our client managers will be in touch.
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Bowen growers look to composting at AORA workshop |
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Growcom was pleased to host the AORA Compost in Agriculture workshop on Friday the 25th of March, in Bowen.
The day saw 29 registered attendees taking the opportunity to learn about the technical aspects of compost production and one of the best presentations to date around soil health, soil biology and how these are enhanced using composts.
Of the attendees at Bowen 14 were growers who travelled from as far away as Mackay and the Charters Towers regions. All growers said they were always interested in composting but now with the surging prices of chemical fertilizers they see composting as an essential component of trying to rein in production costs and protect their soil assets.
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Finlay Waste and Recycling help AORA member Repurpose It to boost their organics operations
AORA Partner News
Repurpose It, purchase another Terex Ecotec TDS820 Slow Speed Shredder to boost their organics operations from equipment specialists, Finlay Waste and Recycling
As part of their mission statement Repurpose It have expanded their organics and FOGO operations and needed a slow speed shredder to produce their required specification, whilst reducing the risk of light contaminates into their processed material and giving protection from heavy contaminates.
Already having numerous Ecotec equipment in their fleet it was an easy decision to call Finlay for their expertise and help with the trial process as explains Ash Johnston “Not only is the Terex Ecotec machinery far superior but the back up and support from Finlay is second to none, they know their equipment extensively”.
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Request for Feedback
A Plastic Planet recently published the paper The Compostable Conundrum – When should compostable materials be used and why? to advise industry on when to use compostable materials and when not to. Even though the report concentrates on the UK and EU, much of the content applies to Australia.
Please give us your thoughts on the compostable conundrum document and its possible use as a guiding document for the update to the APCO/ABA/AORA Compostable Packaging Strategy.
Feedback closes on Monday 4 April 2022.
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Hitachi Construction Machinery help ECORR enhance their corporate social responsibility
AORA Partner News
As the expectations on corporate social responsibility (CSR) increases around the globe, companies are recognising the requirement to act on sustainability from how they procure raw materials, practice responsible sourcing, improve energy use in operations and reduce wasteful packaging.
One company that has embraced CSR is Eco Resource Recovery (ECORR) a family owned and operated business located in Wetherill Park, New South Wales.
ECORR’s performance in the recycling industry is heavily reliant on productive, efficient and robust machinery for the quick loading, screening and crushing of waste materials. ECORR have chosen Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia) Pty Ltd (HCA) as the provider of earthmoving machinery.
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Waste Management Review June Edition is the Organics Feature
The June edition of Waste Management Review, will cover everything from organics collection and education to treatment and new technology.
The offer includes:
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1 x Full-page advertisement for June 2022 edition – Waste Management Review (ad to be supplied)
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1 x Editorial piece – Waste Management Review
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Editorial to be written for you by a Waste Management Review journalist
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Editorial to appear on Waste Management Review website and be distributed through Waste Management Review social media channels.
Expressions of interest will close on 26 April 2022. To secure your place, or for more information, please contact Chelsea-Daniel Young, Business Development Manager on 0425 699 878 or chelsea.daniel@primecreative.com.au
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NSW EPA Roadshows
The EPA Roadshows for councils, licensees and other regulated stakeholders are open now for registrations. These forums provide regulated stakeholders with the opportunity to meet with our Executive team and senior leaders to hear about our key priorities and initiatives, ask questions and participate in roundtable discussions.
FOGO facility up for tender in ACT
The ACT Government is investing in a large-scale Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) facility to process local waste. A feasibility study has identified available land at the Hume Resource Recovery Estate as the location for a FOGO composting facility, adjacent to the existing Materials Recovery Facility at Mugga Lane in the ACT.
Nation-first trial of public bin for organic waste launches in Pambula
Bega Valley Shire Council is trialling a new public bin system incorporating general waste and recycling alongside the popular FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) collection service.
It is reportedly the first trial of a public FOGO bin in Australia and has started at two eateries in the picturesque rural town of Pambula.
Composting Skills Projects
The AHC32216 Certificate III in Commercial Composting is proposed for deletion, based on industry feedback that it was not needed and that waste management issues described in the qualification are better aligned to the Certificate III in Waste Management (Waste processing). Six units of competency relating to composting have been revised for use in agriculture and horticulture qualifications as electives for on farm composting activity, as well as in waste management qualifications.
Trial for new food scrap recycling service
A group of 250 households in Tamworth are being asked to help their community navigate its way forward with recycling by taking part in a Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) trial. The trial will start early in April and is an important part of Councils work towards meeting NSW Government waste diversion targets and establishing the Tamworth Organics Recycling facility on an approved site at Gidley.
Exploring climate-smart technologies for Australian viticulture
Griffith University PhD candidate Kate Kingston has been named the recipient of Wine Australia’s Dr Tony Jordan OAM Award 2022 to support her research that will develop and apply innovative biochar-based technologies to help the Australian wine sector adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The research will examine the use of biochar in combination with the planting of Australian native legume plants to boost soil microbial activity and improve vine health.
Walmart signs up for West Coast food waste-reduction project
Market giant Walmart has signed on to the Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment, which is working to reduce food waste by 50% along the West Coast by 2030
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If you have a story, link or news to share with AORA members, please email Alex
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AORA - Australian Organics Recycling Association
0434 625 472| admin@aora.org.au
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