Food from Waste Getting Organics Right A joint project between Highlands Regional Waste Management Group and Central Goldfields Shire Council with the Towards Zero Waste grant support from Sustainability Victoria

Food from Waste - Overview Central Goldfields is a member of the Highlands Regional Waste Management Group Together we received a grant for a trial to combine food organics with garden organics from households and compost using an in-vessel composting system Trial commenced in October 2013 and will run until June 2014 HRWMG = $149, 684 CGCS = $43,600 State = $142,400 Total project = $335,684

Food from Waste What does it mean? Making compost which is FOOD for the soil from food scraps and garden waste that would otherwise go to landfill Why keep organics out of landfill? Organic or putrescible waste is waste that decomposes in the landfill Makes gas (methane) and leachate (liquid) Methane can leak from a landfill and is toxic Leachate is toxic to the environment Methane is also a significant greenhouse gas

Food From Waste A major responsibility of the RWMGs was to facilitate the closure of landfills, especially smaller unlicensed landfills The landfills were an environmental risk, they usually were unlined and some not even supervised. There are only two landfills in Highlands Region now. Now putrescible waste needs to be carted long distances for disposal

Food from Waste - Statistics In Australia 4 million tonnes of food goes to landfill every year Costs approx. $1,000 per household per year

35% - For Landfill What’s in the Bin? 26% - Food Organics 2008 Waste Bin Audit – HRWMG 15% - Paper, Cardboard and Containers 24% - Garden Waste 26% - Food Organics 35% - For Landfill

Food from Waste - How the trial works Each Household is given a bench top tidy for kitchen organics Households put food organics in their existing greenwaste bin with their garden organics Greenwaste bin is collected TWICE A MONTH and taken to Carisbrook Transfer Station Food and garden organics are mulched and blended Placed in the Fabcom® in-vessel compost system After 4 - 6 weeks the compost mixture is put into a curing bay to mature Mature compost is ready to use after approx. 4 weeks Each batch is approx. 50m3 of mature compost Batches will be available every 4 weeks once the system is fully operational

Food from Waste - Householder Role

Food from Waste - In the Kitchen Tidy Bin  Put paper on the bottom to stop food sticking  Empty frequently and wash out regularly  Store under the sink if you don’t have much bench space X Do not line it with a plastic bag even if the bag says biodegradable

Food from Waste - In the Kitchen Tidy Bin  Food scraps  Left overs  Paper towel, napkins, newspaper  Bread, cake, biscuits  Fruit & vegetables, including citrus & onions  Dairy  Spoiled/out of date foods  Tea bags, coffee grounds  Hair, pet hair and fur  Egg shells  Vacuum bag dust X No meat or bones

Food from Waste - In the Greenwaste Bin Handy Hints  loose garden organics not compacted  Leaves/ twigs at the bottom help to stop lawn clippings sticking X No plant pots or other garden plastics X No rocks, stumps or building timber off-cuts X No Garbage

Food from Waste BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPANTS 1m3 FREE compost per participant household Voucher provided, you will be advised when it is available Two collections per month at no extra cost Reduce waste to landfill Cleaner, healthier environment

Food from Waste - Council role

Food from Waste - Shredder

Food from Waste - Shredder

Food from Waste - Fabcom® System

Food from Waste - Fabcom® System

Food from Waste - Fabcom® System

Food from Waste - Fabcom® System

Food from Waste - Fabcom® System

Food from Waste - Fabcom® System

Food from Waste - Contamination

Food from Waste - Contamination A letter was sent to all participants about contamination. A reminder that they will be given finished compost in bags or self hauled in their trailer. Residents have responded very well They have also reduced the amount of food waste. Our mid project putrescible bin survey results

Food from Waste - Contamination Putrescible Bin Contents Before Trial Survey June 2013 Mid Trial Survey March 2014 % total organic 27.00% 35.63% % food 20.00% 29.48% % Garden 7.00% 6.15%

Food from Waste - Fabcom® System What is next? Targeted one on one conversations with participants Financial modelling for populations of 1,000, 10,000 and 50,000 The Central Goldfields Shire will continue with the composting program. Constant education of the participants will be essential

Food from Waste THANKYOU