AORA April 2023 Newsletter

From the National Executive Officer

Lots of activity going on at present at AORA!

We have not long completed successful breakfast events in Melbourne and Brisbane(see reports below) and next week I will be heading to Perth to meet industry representatives face-to-face to hear about the challenges and opportunities in the west and to start formulating how AORA can work with the industry there to further the interests on the Western Australia organics recycling industry.

Concurrent to this, we are now starting our annual budgeting process/planning for 2023/24 and with the end of the financial year looming quickly, turning our attention to an annual audit. The AORA Board recently voted on membership pricing and we are happy to announce this will remain the same for 2023-24 as this year. We will be in touch with processing members over the coming weeks to confirm processing tonnages.

The AORA National Conference 2023 is also looming (7- 9 June, Melbourne) and there is still plenty of activity pursuant to this. If you join the Association for the remainder of the financial year, you will be eligible for member pricing to attend the 2023 National Conference. Contact Alex to sign up and receive your membership code for conference tickets

With our international associates in the International Compost Alliance, AORA will be issuing a media release next week for International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) which this year has a theme of "FOR HEALTHIER SOIL, HEALTHIER FOOD...COMPOST". ICAW takes place from May 7-13 and is a time for governments, communities, organisations, and individuals to come together to promote composting and raise awareness about its many benefits.

John McKew

National Executive Officer

Australian Organics Recycling Association

Welcome to new AORA Member

AORA Conference Program International Keynote Announcement

We are thrilled to announce our International Keynote Speaker for the AORA Conference will be Frank Franciosi - Executive Director of the US Composting Council

Frank will be presenting: 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗦

There are many obstacles to increase composting infrastructure in the US. Inconsistencies in site zoning and state permitting, the lack of operator training and certification, poor consumer awareness, and no federal funding for new facility construction.

Over the past seven years the USCC has taken a strategic approach to providing resources to overcome these obstacles. Taking these on one by one and providing the tools for our members to expand their existing capacities and find new opportunities for growth.

In this session you will learn about how these resources were developed and how they may be applied in your organisation.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS CLOSE TODAY!

Upcoming AORA Events

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

• 3m x 2m Shell Scheme (Octanorm frame)
• 1 x signage panel 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.

Screening made simple: the quality and reliability of Komptech Nemus

AORA Partner News

Komptech Nemus is a powerful and reliable machine that is designed to handle a wide range of screening tasks. This machine is known for its high quality and exceptional reliability, making it a popular choice for industries such as waste management, composting, and biomass processing.

The Nemus is equipped with a variety of features that enhance its performance and reliability. It features a large screening surface that provides excellent separation capabilities, allowing it to handle large volumes of material quickly and efficiently. One of the unique features of the Komptech Nemus is its drum design.

Learn more...

AORA Qld Event - A sell out!

Almost sixty attendees (a sell-out!) joined the AORA QLD Breakfast event on Wednesday morning 19 April at the Colmslie Hotel, Morningside, Brisbane. The event focused on the challenges and opportunities facing the organics recycling industry in Queensland.

Hosted by Greg Whitehead, AORA Board Director and Managing Director of Candy Soil, the audience heard from four speakers during the morning. Pravin Menon, Consultant, Scenic Rim Regional Council provided an overview of Scenic Rim’s council plans to expand the services available at the Bromelton Waste Facility.

John McKew, AORA National Executive Officer offered an overview of the Associations current projects, plans and consultation efforts. Next, Nick Behrens, Director, Australian Economic Advocacy Solutions, provided an update on the economic and environmental contribution of the organics recycling sector in Queensland, based on the work commissioned by AORA earlier in 2022.

Rounding off the morning’s agenda, Dr. Matthew Askeland from ADE Consulting spoke on the very real challenges PFAS poses to the successful use of recycled organics in Queensland and how this could impact the successful diversion of organics away from landfill.

There was great interaction and conversations held throughout the morning and a range of interesting questions for the speakers.

Sustainability Victoria launch “Why councils should use recycled organic compost" booklet at AORA VIC event

On Thursday 6 April, AORA VIC hosted a breakfast event at Sustainability Victoria in Melbourne, sponsored by Sustainability Victoria and Hitachi. Attended by over 65, the event had a primary focus on councils. Moderated by AORA NEO, John McKew, the theme of the breakfast was set by Sage Hahn, AORA VIC Chair and bio gro Operations Manager, “We are all in this together”. Sage’s introduction focused on contamination, especially via FOGO feedstock, and the detrimental impact this can have on the organics processing sector and end product quality. The sentiment was clear, we all have a strong vested interest in managing contamination in our feedstock streams and without a focus and commitment to reducing contamination, the organic recycling industry is going to suffer.

Andrew Dougall from Sustainability Victoria then continued with the launch of the new booklet “Why councils should use recycled organic compost”. The booklet, produced by SV, offers a good understanding of recycled organics, what they are, what they do, how good compost is made, and how to use more of it.

With councils increasingly becoming a major source of organics feedstock, especially with the continued rollout of FOGO, the booklet looks at ways councils can also use the valuable end products of organics processing, mulch and compost in their landscaping, parks and gardens, sporting fields and remediation works for waterways (as well as a host of other potential applications). The booklet is available from Sustainability Victoria and is commended by AORA for all Victorian councils.

Next, we heard from Rayna Mishra and Cara Watters from Sustainability Victoria on an update to the FOGO education campaign and materials. Available to all Victorian Councils, these materials can be used to communicate to residents and businesses to make small changes to the way they manage their waste and recycling to have a big impact on Victoria’s sustainable future. Further information including access to the campaign materials is available from this link: Statewide launch - Small acts make a big impact | Campaign asset library (sustainability.vic.gov.au).

Doug Wilson, AORA VIC Coordinator then provided an overview and update on the “MATS recycled organics development program” which AORA is partnering with Sustainability Victoria, EPA Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to deliver.

AORA was delighted to deliver this highly interactive and informative event and we thank everyone who attended and contributed including these councils (City of Greater Geelong, City of Monash, City of Boroondara, Rural City of Wangaratta, Mornington Peninsula Shire, East Gippsland Shire) and Barwon Water and Gippsland Water.

Whilst the challenges we face in the organics recycling industry still require considerable collaboration and commitment, this event was a very strong indication that we are collectively dedicated to a better future for our industry.

Of Interest