Organics Processing Facility – Improving Soils

Bega Valley Organics Processing Facility

Description

Bega Valley Shire currently collects food and organic waste for processing using low-technology windrow composting. The compost product is relatively low quality, with high pH making it unsuitable for use on farm. Through investment in additional shredding, screening and sifting infrastructure, as well as more sophisticated process control, this project will generate a product suitable for reuse on farms, household gardens and public spaces.

Priority

Impact

Outcomes

  • Resource Optimisation – The compost product would be applied to agricultural soils within the valley, including those owned or managed by Bega Cheese suppliers.
  • Natural Capital – While achieving continued positive environmental outcomes, the project also helps manage a number of operational challenges faced by Council and increasing soil amelioration costs faced by farmers in the Bega Valley. It also supports development of paddock to plate to paddock circularity.

Available grants/funding

  • BVSC matching funds
  • Waste Less Recycle More grant program

Potential partnerships/investors

BVSC, Bega Cheese, Ocean2Earth, farmers, Woolworths

Benefits

Waste generation/
repurposing

Water

Soil

Biodivsersity

Energy/GHG emissions

Nutrients/
Animal Feed

Packaging & Logistics

Animal Care

Community/
Education/
innovation/
Aged Care

Rural economy/
Tourism