The Breakdown is a monthly column giving industry leaders and decision makers a chance to share their views on topics central to the sector. This month we asked: “What is the biggest challenge facing the organics industry?”
John McKew, National Executive Officer, Australian Organics Recycling Association
Contamination of the feedstock stream remains the single biggest challenge facing the organics recycling industry.
There is the obvious (yet unnecessary) visual contamination – plastic bags, glass, various packaging, and almost anything else you can conceivably think of that should not be there – and then there is the contamination you cannot see, micro plastics, PFAS, and other chemicals.
Contamination is costly and difficult to manage and impossible to remove in total but has to be more effectively managed across the whole supply chain. Unless we can get a cleaner feedstock stream with reduced contamination, you cannot produce a recycled organics product that will be completely free of contamination. In the IT industry they talk about garbage in, garbage out and the same applies to recycled organics.
Virginia Brunton, Principal Consultant of the Organics and Education team at MRA Consulting Group
Contamination of feedstock is the biggest challenge facing the organics industry.
Physical contamination is manageable albeit expensive and higher gate fees compensate for effort. However underlying chemical contamination is a greater and increasing threat and out of processors control.
Strict and unrealistic limits on chemicals such as PFAS may render all recycled organics fit only for landfilling.
Regulators need to take a consistent and considered approach if RO are to continue to be able to be recovered for beneficial use, particularly in agriculture.
Kali Martin, General Manager – Organic Recycling, WestRex Organics, a subsidiary of Pure Environmental
The challenge for the organic recycling industry is end-market establishment and consistent product quality.
The industry holds immense promise for sustainable agriculture – composting presents a vital solution to replenish soil nutrients depleted by intensive farming practices. Through education and fit-for-purpose products, we can meet the needs of farmers and other end users, driving demand for compost.
Government support and procurement strategies can further accelerate market growth. By standardising and consistently regulating quality control measures, we ensure the safety and effectiveness of compost products, building trust among consumers.
With the collaboration of the key stakeholders, we can unlock the full potential of organic recycling, supporting a more sustainable future for agriculture and the planet.
Lacey Webb, Chief Executive Officer, Resource Hub
Clearly the biggest challenge right now is asbestos – if for no other reason than it’s so highly publicised. But really, I think it’s contamination more broadly and inconsistent approaches to organics across Australia. PFAS contamination is a struggle – especially in Queensland, with detection limits so low that the industry’s hands are tied in many ways.
Contamination in bins and self haul loads continue to be a struggle. The move from GO to FOGO, or the lack of movement in some regions, means that previously easily recovered GO products now need to contend with a FO portion and long-standing education that may no longer be fit-for-purpose. And depending on the state, if one region has a GO program, but their neighbour is now implementing FOGO, the messaging across a region can become muddled.
Even as we work to solve the contamination challenges, and move toward mandated FOGO in some states, who will process the materials? What offtakes will exist for the product? The lack of end markets is a notable hurdle across regional Australia, and too often still involves fire permits.
Ashley Johnston, General Manager Organics, Repurpose It
One of the biggest challenges for the organics industry is community education. The rollout of Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) bins across the country is a commendable initiative for waste reduction, but its success hinges on effective communication.
We need to help bridge the knowledge gap among households regarding what materials can go into their FOGO bins, especially with there being differences between each council. Misinformation or lack of awareness can lead to misunderstanding on what item can put in FOGO bins.
The challenge is intensified by the need to alter long-standing waste disposal habits and misconceptions about organic waste.
We need to create clear, consistent, engaging communications and ongoing educational efforts to ensure widespread understanding and participation in FOGO recycling.
