AORA January 2023 Newsletter

Let me begin with my best wishes for 2023 to all AORA members, sponsors and stakeholders.

We have no doubt that it will be a challenging year (as they all seem to be) but we are also optimistic that it will be rewarding.

It doesn’t take long for the fog of Christmas and the New Year to lift and for the reality of the new year to take hold and for the mind to start contemplating the work program and associated tasks ahead.

For AORA, there is already a robust work program taking shape and plans starting to come to fruition; this includes:

• Advancement of the planning and organisation for the AORA 2023 National Conference (Melbourne, 7-9 June).
• A number of state events including our NSW ‘Best on Ground’ breakfast event on 23 February and the SA ‘Municipal Waste Breakfast’ on 17 February.
• A NEMP 3.0 PFAS submission on behalf of the Australian organics recycling industry, coordinated by AORA.
• Proposal being developed to run a series of Compost Operations Training Courses utilising Matthew Cotton (USA) potentially in June/July 2023.
• Exploring the potential for ERF (Emissions Reduction Fund) projects and how organics can leverage this.
• Continuing our promotion for a Compost Certification Scheme with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
• Continuing the advocacy for the Australian organics recycling industry with all levels of government and establishing AORA as a cooperative, respected partner in discussion regarding regulations.
• Maintaining our collaboration with a broad range of industry stakeholders to protect and promote the contributions and value of the Australian organics recycling industry.

We look forward to your continuing support for AORA throughout 2023 as we look forward to working with you and continuing to be of service to you and our industry.

Lastly, we would like to share with you a letter we received from Minister Plibersek at the end of 2022 - read it here

John McKew

National Executive Officer

Australian Organics Recycling Association

Closing date for abstracts for AORA Conference is 14 February

The AORA Annual Conference is the principal conference in Australia for the recycled organics industry and we are looking for experts in the recycled organics sector to join the 2023 program by delivering platform presentations and participating in panels and discussions.

The 2023 conference will be held at the Pullman Albert Park (Melbourne) from the 7th – 9th of June 2023 and provides an exciting platform for local and international speakers to share their expertise.

Here are some of the topics previous attendees have told us they would like to hear more about:

•   Improving engagement with government around policies and strategies

•   Licensing/permitting/approvals

•   Contamination

•   Carbon credits

•   PFAS

•   Other technologies, including anaerobic digestion

•   Education/engagement (especially for FOGO)

•   End user perspectives

•   Accelerating the growth of end markets for recycled organics.

Submissions close on Tuesday 14 February 2023.

Announcing ACOR and AORA Partnership

We’re delighted to announce a collaborative partnership between ACOR and AORA, to support our shared vision of maximising resource recovery and advancing organic recycling, to support a thriving circular economy.

With growing interest, activity, and investment in the development of a circular economy, now is a great time for stronger collaboration between our two organisations, to support great outcomes for the recycling sector. 

Can’t wait to grow our impact together in 2023!

Upcoming Events

AORA SA Breakfast



Learn why municipal solid waste education matters

Adelaide Pavilion

17 February 2023 

7.30am - 9am

Our next breakfast & panel discussion will address how industry, local & regional councils are educating, and in turn creating innovative systems for a collaborative relationship with municipal waste.

At this breakfast we will discuss how collectively we can work toward removing the obstacles to growth. One of those obstacles is contamination of input material, and it’s high. 

What you can expect to take away:

• How to reduce contamination for processors
• Benchmark your council’s performance against other councils
• Improve your systems and develop targeted educational material for your community
• Discover how industry is working collaboratively for greater benefits across the circular economy
•  SA’s Waste strategy 2020 -2025 implications.

AORA NSW Breakfast

Best on Ground: The benefits of procuring recycled organics

Middle Head Oval

23 February 2023 

7.30am - 9am

Procuring recycled organics meets many objectives: it’s beneficial to the soil, helps meet broader sustainability and recycling targets, and in many cases proves to be the most cost-effective option (especially when compared to the use of synthetic turf). We often hear about how recycling our organic waste “closes the loop” by recycling green waste from commercial and household collections into marketable soil conditioners and composts that help drive a circular economy.

Moreover, many sports teams and community groups strongly preference the use of natural turf over synthetic grounds.

At this event, we will hone in on the demonstratable benefits of purchasing and applying recycled organics products for use in parks, sports fields and urban design projects. Attendees will hear firsthand from Councils, soil scientists, landscapers and community groups about their experiences with recycled organics products and meet the producers of recycled organics products.

This outdoor breakfast event will be held onsite at a recycling organics procurement success story – Middle Head Oval and led by AgEnviro’s Dr Mick Battam.

This is an ideal opportunity for procurement teams, sustainability and resource recovery officers, greenkeepers and landscape contractors to learn more about recycled organics products and make valuable connections with other stakeholders within the industry.

Future Farms Today

Build soil competence and paddock know-how for a healthier farming system

Young, NSW

28 Feb - 1 March 2023

AORA Member YLAD Living Soils, celebrating their 20th Anniversay, are holding a seminar, field day and dinner event in Young, NSW.

The Field Day will demonstrate Compost Production as well as other management practices that they can implement to improve long term sustainability and profitability.

The day is focused on assisting farmers gain knowledge of on farm composting and a greater depth of knowledge how to amend their soils.

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.

Market Acceleration partnership in Victoria

AORA Vic is excited to be entering into a formal Partnership Agreement with agencies of the State Government – EPA Vic, Dept of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Sustainability Victoria – in a Market Acceleration project for organics.

Details will be advised to Members during an online briefing being scheduled for Thu 2^nd Feb 12-15 to 12.45 pm.

More information will be circulated by email to AORA Vic Members in the coming days.

Of Interest