The 2025 Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) annual conference promises fresh insight into the nation’s organics recycling industry.
Each year, organic waste in Australian landfills generates about 13 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide equivalent), equating to about 2.5 per cent of Australia’s total annual emissions, according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
The Australian Government’s National Waste Policy Action Plan seeks to achieve an average resource recovery rate of 80 per cent from all waste streams by 2030 including halving the amount of organic waste sent to landfill by 2030.
The plan commits state and territory governments to roll out food organic and garden organic (FOGO) collection services to metropolitan households and businesses, as well as support the development of infrastructure to process organic waste.
As the national voice for the resource recovery and the organics recycling industry, Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) champions a future where recycling of organics materials is maximised and optimised.
The annual AORA conference, first held in Sydney in 2013, has become a principal event bringing industry together to discuss the current state of play, challenges and new opportunities.
This year, the event will be held from 3-5 June at the Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre (NEX), New South Wales.
The conference will include keynote speeches, presentations and panels with industry experts.
Reflecting on the success of the 2023 and 2024 conferences, John McKew, National Executive Officer, AORA, says the 2025 event will continue to address the key issues facing the organics recycling industry in Australia.
“AORA prides itself on facilitating the principal conference in Australia, focusing entirely on organics recycling,” John says.
“With the theme, Beyond the Windrow – Building Industry Resilience, the 2025 conference will let attendees explore innovative strategies and technologies that will shape the future of organic recycling.
“I look forward to witnessing the collaboration the conference will bring forward as well as the conversations to be had on exploring how the Australian organics recycling industry can continue to meet its challenges and continue to grow into a successful and resilient industry in the long term.”
As in previous years, the first day of the event will be a demonstration day where visitors can witness cutting-edge equipment and machinery demonstrations.
With a variety of machines on site during the demonstration day, and representatives from various manufacturers on hand, this is the chance to get up close to the equipment, compare different models, and understand how each piece of machinery can enhance work site operations.
In addition to viewing equipment that demonstrates the latest advancements, attendees can meet with suppliers and experts in the field, ask questions, and learn about the latest technology and innovations in the industry. John says this is a unique opportunity for businesses considering a major capital investment in equipment to see, touch and ask questions.
The second day of the conference will include welcoming and opening addresses, plenary sessions, keynote speeches and more.
The plenary program is still under development, but John is anticipating the final program to offer a rich variety of interesting and thought-compelling sessions on key industry issues. These will include updates on federal and state regulations and legislation, contamination, standards, alternative technologies, market and end-use development and international experiences.
Kathy Kellogg Johnson, known as the “First Lady of Compost”, will be the keynote speaker. Johnson is the owner of Kellogg Garden Products, a fourth generation, all-organic, garden products company founded in the United States in 1925.
The conference will also include an exhibition centre, providing companies an opportunity to showcase their latest equipment and services in a face-to-face environment.
In addition to the main conference, the conference dinner will be held on the evening of 4 June and, as with previous conferences, there will be plenty of opportunities for informal networking and socialising.
There are still opportunities available for companies to be involved in the conference.
For more information, visit:
www.aoraconference.com.au
