The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is driving down food waste and greenhouse emissions with a visionary, economy-boosting compost initiative helping farmers, food growers, businesses and councils become more sustainable and profitable.
In partnership with Circular Australia, the EPA has launched "Cool Compost", the one-stop online information resource, showcasing remarkable and diverse composting success stories across sectors.
EPA-funded Cool Compost projects have rejuvenated a degraded sports field, built a large natural urban stormwater filtration system, significantly increased a commercial food grower's yield and dramatically improved pastures for cattle, while reducing the potent greenhouse gas, methane, by cutting organic waste to landfill.
EPA Executive Director of Engagement, Education and Programs, Liesbet Spanjaard, said "Cool Compost" aims to drive commercial demand for high quality compost made from household food waste for the benefit of industry and the environment.
"By composting organic waste that would otherwise end up in landfill, we cut methane gas production, improve soil quality and its ability to sequester carbon and increase profits across sectors," Ms Spanjaard said.
"NSW produces some of the best food in the world, but we have work to do when it comes to creating a sustainable "circular" production system.
"Australia ranks fourth globally for food waste so it's critical that we invest in ways to divert waste from landfill. The good news is that it makes sense both economically and environmentally to make high quality compost for myriad applications."
Circular Australia CEO, Lisa McLean said keeping resources in the economy longer would help unlock a $1.9 trillion economic opportunity for Australia and would also cut carbon - with half of all emissions embedded in products and food.
"The NSW Government's Cool Compost program is inspiring critical action and change for Australia," Ms McLean said.
"Graziers, councils, landscapers, government agencies and vegetable growers want to design out waste and carbon emissions - these case studies show clearly how that can be done and the benefits for business and planet.
"By using compost and returning this nutrient-rich resource back to our soils, individuals and businesses, no matter how small, can play a key role in diverting waste from landfill, increasing soil productivity while building the new circular, sustainable future."
Cool Compost is the culmination of the EPA's Waste Less Recycle More Organics Market Development Program with $5.5 million invested across 38 projects to develop organic compost markets, products, industry skills and infrastructure as part of the NSW Government's drive to develop a circular economy.
The online component of the project includes videos, podcasts, fact sheets and specifications showing the benefits of compost across five key markets – graziers, councils, landscapers, government agencies and vegetable growers.
Cool Compost is hosted by Circular Australia on its new Circular Ag platform at https://circularag.com.au/compost/
Cool compost videos:
- Cool Compost improving Graziers pasture:
https://circularag.com.au/compost/videos/how-commercial-compost-boosts-soils-and-profits/
- How compost can help government agencies meet recycled content targets
- Cool Compost Mosman Footy Field transformation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gDs9Z4kQME
- Newcastle's Cool Compost stormwater Biofiltration System:
https://circularag.com.au/compost/videos/how-compost-can-deliver-circular-solutions-for-councils/
- Cool Compost supercharging vegetable growth at Mangrove Mountain:
