1. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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 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

9. Food from Waste - Householder Role

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Food from Waste - Council role

17. Food from Waste - Shredder

18. Food from Waste - Shredder

19. Food from Waste - Fabcom® System

20. Food from Waste - Fabcom® System

21. Food from Waste - Fabcom® System

22. Food from Waste - Fabcom® System

23. Food from Waste - Fabcom® System

24. Food from Waste - Fabcom® System

25. Food from Waste - Contamination

26. 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

27. 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%

28. 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

29. Food from Waste
THANKYOU