WHAT'S ON YOUR PLATE?

The regulatory land application exemptions for the organics recycling industry in NSW are under review. The new Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) will explore the critical issue in an upcoming breakfast presentation by NSW EPA.

NSW EPA has signalled its intention to review a number of the POEO Act Exemptions including the food waste compost exemption and the raw mulch exemption. AORA asks “is it broken”, these exemptions have been in place since mid 2008 and whilst physical contamination is a product quality issue a number of its members manufacture products to AS4454 ensuring low levels of physical contaminants.

The question is; would it be more productive to better control the supply chain by ensuring collection contractors carry some responsibility to properly inspect bins when they are being picked up. Secondly the industry would like to see more effort going into proper (State wide) education to show residents the impact their contamination (bags & bottles) has on the end quality of the product they are recycling.

It is therefore a fitting topic for AORA's first breakfast seminar on October 16, titled ‘What’s on your Plate’. Attendees will hear from the figures leading the review about their views on long-term regulation, management and use of recycled organic materials.

NSW EPA chair and CEO Barry Buffier will discuss his vision for the regulator and his expectations of the organics recycling industry. He will be followed by the EPA's manager of waste reform, Henry Moore, who will provide more detail on the tenor and timing of the review.

They will be followed by Walter Jehne from Healthy Soils Australia, who will provide a fascinating insight into why organic nutrient cycles are critical in ensuring food integrity.

RSVP by October 12.
LINK: https://lavaworks.wufoo.com/forms/whats-on-your-plate/