Two months ago, AORA released The Economic Contribution of the Australian Organics Recycling Industries, a report which revealed the considerable macroeconomic contribution the industry is making.

We recently delivered a national series of webinars to AORA members and governments to detail the report’s findings – thanks to all those who attended.

 

The report modelled what the economic and environmental contribution of the would be if the current organics recycling rates were increased under four different scenarios. Under the 95 per cent scenario:

 

 

This enormous economic and environmental benefit is not only contingent upon the right policy settings from governments. It also relies upon the industry’s capacity to take up the opportunity. To achieve a 95 per cent recycling rate, the industry would need to increase its processing capacity by 6.4 million tonnes (from its current 7.5 million tonnes to 13.9 million tonnes) each year. And that’s just the increase based on 2019 figures. As the waste stream grows over the next 20 years, we will have to capture a greater tonnage year-on-year just to stay level, let alone get to a 95 per cent capture rate.

 

This is why AORA has commissioned a second study from Australian Economic Advocacy Solutions (AEAS), who prepared the previous report. This second piece of work will examine the organic recycling industry’s existing and potential capacity. The report will provide independent and robust assessment of the industry’s ability to step up as a provider of economic, employment and environmental benefit.

 

Specifically, this important project will:

 

 

In summary, this second AEAS report will provide an understanding of industry capacity which will act as a foundation for increased recycling, economic and environmental benefit through the further development of the industry.

 

Information provided to AEAS will be held by them in the strictest confidence. It will not be given to AORA or any other industry player. It will be used for the final report only in an aggregated and de-identified format, and the original data will be destroyed once the project is finalised.

I look forward to your contribution to this vital piece of work, and to presenting its outcomes to AORA members and governments in the coming months.

Lastly, AORA Membership renewals for 2020/21 will go out in the next day or so. Please keep an eye out for them in your inbox.

As always, don't hesitate to call or email me if you would like to discuss any issues, [email protected] or 0458 404 898.

Peter Olah

National Executive Officer

The organics recycling industry is celebrating the recognition of AORA Chairperson, Peter Wadewitz, with the Order of Australian Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honour List 2020. The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement.

Peter’s recognition for his contribution to the organics recycling industry is richly deserved. AORA as an organisation, and the organics recycling industry nationally, have benefited hugely from his long and visionary leadership.

Peter has been an integral part of AORA since 2012 as a foundation Director, and more recently as Chairperson since 2017.Peter is the Managing Director of Peats Soil & Garden Supplies in South Australia. He has been commercially processing compost for close to 50 years. He is also the inventor of the BiobiN®, an in-vessel composting system offering an alternate solution for businesses in managing their organics.

"This is an unbelievable honour. I am blown away - it is just fantastic. I have no idea who nominated me and it is something you never expect," Peter said. "I do what I do because I am so passionate about it. I have been involved in composting for 50 years. You have your head down and your tail up, because you believe in what you are doing."

"Composting is a circular economy in action: you take it from plants, make it into compost and put into the soil to grow more plants,” concluded Peter.

Peter Wadewitz OAM has been involved with many organisations such as Waste Management Australia, Compost Australia and Compost for Soils. He won South Australia’s Environmentalist of the Year Award in 2006.

Congratulations Peter!

AORA PARTNER NEWS

Hitachi and Suez, both members and corporate sponsors, have more in common that just AORA. Both are strongly committed to innovation, performance and customer satisfaction, because of this SUEZ engaged with Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia Pty Ltd (HCA) as a likeminded provider of construction machinery to assist their waste management operations. SUEZ recently purchased 11 machines from Hitachi.

 

SUEZ’s loyalty to the Hitachi brand is a result of the ‘ reliability, comfort and ease of operation of the Hitachi machines, competitive pricing along with maintenance and service support from the Hitachi team, ’ commented Ash Turner, SUEZ’s NSW Business Manager.