Organic waste collection and recycling publications
Publications available
This publication is the final report of the research program carried out by the Department of Primary Industries and funded by the Department of Environment and Climate Change. The project investigates the role of various recycled organics in the successful establishment, survival and growth of eucalypt plantations in the rehabilitation of seriously degraded closed mine sites. The trial was in the Hunter region, part of an existing mining operation at Narama. Several composted products were trialled over the three years, including composted mulches, composted soil conditioners and biosolids.
Download the recycled organics in mine site rehabilitation report (08371MineSiteRehab.pdf 3.3MB)
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Assessment of garden organics collection systems
To help local councils work out the best way of dealing with their residents' garden organics, a 'triple bottom line' (financial, social and environmental) assessment of different handling systems has been undertaken.
The study looks at the costs and benefits of various options for the collection, transport, processing and disposal of garden organic material, in council areas that generate high volumes of garden organics and for council areas that typically generate low volumes.
Assessment of garden organics collection systems - summary
2005138_ORG_AssessOrgCollectSysSummary.pdf (2005, PDF 1.2MB)
To help local councils work out the best way of dealing with their residents' garden organics, a (financial, social and environmental) assessment of different handling systems has been undertaken.
Assessment of garden organics collection systems - full report
2005137_ORG_AssessOrgCollectSystems.pdf (2005, PDF 511KB)
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A report produced by the Recycled Organics Unit covering how to set up, install and manage an on-site, in-vessel vermiculture unit for processing of commercial and industrial sector organics.
Best practice guideline to managing on-site vermiculture technologies
SPD_0201_BPGVermiculture.pdf (Jan 2002, PDF 2.45MB)
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City to soil is an innovative program bsed in Queanbeyan, New South Wales. It aims to reduce contamination levels in household organic waste bins, reward householders and provide quality composted product to farmers.
The trial project was designed to deliver high quality compost to farmers and to demonstrate that the financial benefits that farmers gained from the product could be used at the front end to ensure clean source separation.
City to soil - a circle of sustainability
SPD_ORG_0406CityToSoil.pdf (June 2004, PDF 641KB)
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The co-collection of domestic food waste and garden organics is conducted by a number of municipalities in Australia. In addition many trials of this service have been conducted.
This report summarises and interprets the outcomes and lessons learned from initiatives conducted to date and is aimed at assisting those councils considering the introduction of a trial or service.
Summaries of trial reports, relevant research and interviews with council officers and processors are included as well as an international review.
The co-collection of domestic food waste and garden organics
200722_CoCollectionOrganics.pdf
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The use of surface applied compost or 'compost blankets' for controlling soil erosion on construction sites is a recent development. The report documents trials undertaken by the University of Western Sydney to evaluate the performance of compost blankets for soil erosion control compared to conventional practice, such as hydromulching.
Results of the study are also summarised in a fact sheet.
Report: Comparison of recycled organic compost blankets with hydromulch in controlling soil erosion under simulated rainfall
200758_ORG_RecOrgCompBlankets.pdf (Feb 2007, PDF 407KB)
Fact sheet: Controlling soil erosion on construction sites using compost blankets
200760CompostBlankets.pdf (Feb 2007 revised Nov 2007, PDF 330KB)
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A guide to help councils weigh up the costs and benefits of using recycled organics or 'compost' in their public parks and gardens was developed by the Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW).
The guide helps councils to identify which parts of their parks and gardens programs can benefit most from compost. An electronic cost/benefit calculator in MS-Excel format accompanies the guide. This helps estimate the types of financial savings that can be achieved by using compost in council parks and gardens.
Cost/benefit of using recycled organics in council parks and gardens operations in NSW
2005607_ORG_CostBenefitROReport.pdf (2005, PDF 854KB)
Cost/benefit calculator
200674_ORG_CostBenefitROCalc.xls (2006, EXCEL 84KB)
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Developing recycled organic products for use in viticulture
To help in developing markets for recycled organics in viticulture, a market research study has been performed to identify issues and barriers potentially affecting the use of recycled organics.
The report documents grower needs and sensitivities from workshops conducted in the five major grape growing regions of NSW.
The results of this study will be used to inform the development of product specifications for recycled organics for use in viticulture.
Viticulture market research report
2005366_ORG_ViticultureMktResearch.pdf (August 2005, PDF 369KB)
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Guidelines for using compost in land rehabilitation and catchment management
These guidelines are the culmination of many years work by the Department of Environment and Climate Change in partnership with NSW DPI, the Hawkesbury Nepean CMA and Compost NSW. The project started with replicated trials on using compost for erosion control and was supplemented by large scale demonstration sites within the Hawkesbury Nepean CMA using 5500 cubic metres of compost and composted mulch. The objectives of these guidelines are to provide stakeholders with a practical framework for promoting and implementing the use of composted mulches and soil conditioners which are especially useful for addressing gully erosion, the construction of erosion and sediment control works, hill slope erosion, saline discharge areas, and other degraded soil environments.
Guidelines for using compost in land rehabilitation and catchment management
2007527CompInCatchMan.pdf (March 2008, PDF 651KB)
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Handbook for the design, construction, operation, monitoring and maintenance of a passive landfill gas drainage and biofiltration system
The University of NSW and GHD Pty Ltd received funding from the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW to evaluate passive drainage and biofiltration as a method for managing landfill gas. This involved the installation of 'gas drainage trenches' into the cap of a landfill, which directs the landfill gas into a layer of material consisting of compost and shredded wood and timber, referred to as a 'biofilter'.
The project found that greater than 90% of methane and 97.5% of odour can be removed from landfill gas. The study also found that recycled materials such as compost and crushed concrete and brick aggregate can be used successfully in the passive drainage and biofiltration system.
This sustainable and low-cost technique can help to reduce the greenhouse impacts of small to medium sized landfills as well as potentially increasing markets for a number of recycled materials across NSW.
This Handbook details the work of this project and provides technical guidance on the design, construction, operation, maintenance and monitoring of biofilters.
Handbook for the design, construction, operation, monitoring and maintenance of a passive landfill gas drainage and biofiltration system
10141Biofiltration.pdf (April 2010 2.58MB)
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The report contains sampling, testing and bioassay tools to assist industry to avoid the impact of possible herbicides in recycled organics products.
The procedures are designed to aid the Recycled Organics Industry to avoid the risk of potentially persistent herbicides in feedstocks used to manufacture value-added recycled organics products.
Herbicide risk management tools for the recycled organics industry
2006397_ORG_RiskMgtTools.pdf (PDF 638KB)
First published Apr 2003
Republished Sep 2006 - DECID 2006/397 with amendments
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Identifying potential agricultural and horticultural markets for composted garden organics in New South Wales
This report evaluates potential agricultural and horticultural markets for composted garden organics in New South Wales by considering the location, size and production economics of different potential markets, identifying sites with the potential to respond to composted garden organics products based on soil characteristics and seeking out viable agricultural industries. Information obtained from stakeholders, including compost processors, certifying bodies, agronomists and researchers, was also used to identify opportunities for and potential barriers to market establishment.
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The fact sheet summarises results from a three-year project evaluating the suitability of quality recycled organic products or 'compost' for improving degraded soils, assisting in vegetation establishment and improving water quality.
Fact sheet - improving water quality in catchments using compost materials
2005580_ORG_ImpWaterCatchments_FS.pdf (Nov 2005, PDF 455KB)
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The report documents a life cycle assessment of windrow composting systems for recycling compostable organic materials in NSW.
The study evaluated the full environmental benefits associated with processing, transport and application of recycled organic product to agricultural production systems.
Fact sheet - organics recycling offers major environmental benefits
2007412envirobenefits.pdf (March 2004 revised Nov 2007, PDF 139KB)
Life cycle inventory and life cycle assessment for windrow composting systems
2006400_ORG_LCAssessWindrowSys.pdf (PDF 1.5MB)
First published Oct 2003
Republished Sep 2006 - DECID 2006/400 with amendments
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Markets for recycled organic products in NSW
Markets for recycled organic products across NSW are documented in this report.
The study assessed the development of markets for recycled organics in the Greater Sydney Region, Mid-North Coast and South East NSW for the 2002-03 financial year.
Demand for recycled organic products in urban amenity, intensive agriculture, extensive agriculture, rehabilitation, enviro-remediation and biofuels is reported. The study also documents changes in markets since the last study in 1998, and also highlights potential growth opportunities for the next three years.
Fact Sheet - markets for recycled organics in New South Wales.
SPD_ORG_0411MarketsRecyOrg_FS.pdf (Nov 2004, PDF 188KB)
Analysis of markets for recycled organic products - report
2006398_MarketsAnalysis.pdf (PDF 1.3MB)
First published June 2004
Republished Sep 2006 - DECID 2006/398 with amendments
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Easy to read fact sheets are available to guide users on the environmental benefits of using recycled organics in a range of applications such as in domestic and commercial landscaping, parks and gardens management, construction projects, urban water management, urban renewal projects and in intensive agricultural applications (viticulture).
Fact sheet 1 - Conserving water using compost materials
2007415ConsWater.pdf (March 2004 Revised Nov 08, PDF 166KB)
Fact sheet 2 - Reducing soil erosion with compost
2007413ReducingErosion.pdf (March 2004 Revised Nov 08, PDF 141KB)
Fact sheet 3 - Sustainable landscaping using compost material
2007414SusLandscaping.pdf (March 2004 Revised Nov 08, PDF 138kb)
Fact sheet 4 - Using compost for sustainable viticulture
2007416SustViticulture.pdf (April 2004 Revised Nov 08, PDF 147kb)
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The ability of the commercial composting process to degrade three potentially persistent herbicides that may be present in garden organics was evaluated in this study.
The breakdown of clopyralid, picloram and triclopyr was evaluated in a large-scale composting process over a 16-week period.
Whilst triclopyr is readily degraded during the composting process, clopyralid and picloram can persist, and potentially impact on the growth of sensitive plants following use of compost.
Strategies for reducing the risk of these herbicides on the composting process are reviewed.
Persistent herbicides risk management program
2005365_ORG_HerbicideRpt.pdf (Feb 2004, PDF 871KB)
Fact sheet - Reducing the risk of herbicides in compost
SPD_ORG_ReduceRiskHerbCompost_FS.pdf (2004, PDF 341KB)
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The report reviews studies on the use of recycled organics in erosion control and catchment management.
Overseas research has been reviewed to inform the development of trials in NSW to assess the performance of recycled organic products for controlling erosion, helping in vegetation establishment and improving the quality of waterways.
Recycled organics in catchment management - A review of the scientific literature
2005363_ORG_LiteratureReview.pdf (August 2005, PDF 209KB)
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Results of scientific trials undertaken over a three-year period into the use of recycled organics for erosion control and catchment management are documented in this report.
The suitability of quality recycled organic products or 'compost' for improving degraded soils, assisting in vegetation establishment and improving water quality is documented.
Results of the study are also summarised in a fact sheet.
Recycled organics in catchment management - Full report
2005363_ORG_CatchMgtRpt.pdf (2005, PDF 3.6MB)
Fact sheet - Improving water quality in catchments using compost materials
2005580_ORG_ImpWaterCatchments_FS.pdf (Nov 2005, PDF 455KB)
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A study and review on the use of recycled organics in mine site rehabilitation was conducted with the assistance of the Department of Primary Industries, Forests NSW.
Publications which documented the outcomes of the application of recycled organics in mine site rehabilitation were reviewed and a number of fully replicated scientific trials were conducted to analyse the cost benefit of the application of a range of recycled organic treatments.
The review found studies indicated that the application of recycled organic products provided benefits which improved soil structure and moisture retention and which lead to the rapid establishment of beneficial microflora and microfauna. All these factors contributed to a more viable and successful revegetation of the degraded mine sites.
Recycled organics in mine site rehabilitation - A review of scientific literature
2006184_ORG_MineLitReview.pdf (June 2006, PDF 357KB)
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The use of recycled organic products in stormwater treatment applications for improving the quality of runoff water is a recent and novel development.
This report reviews research and current information on products incorporating recycled organics for use in stormwater treatment applications, and describes installations completed to date.
The report recommends the development of performance-based product specifications for recycled organics products for stormwater treatment applications.
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The effects of recycled organics on the remediation of saline/sodic soils at three sites in southern NSW are documented in this study.
Short term results on the effect of recycled organics on soil properties and vegetation establishment from trial sites established in Bevendale, Murrumbateman and Wallendbeen have been documented in this report.
Recycled organics - On farm salinity trials
2005364_ORG_SalinityTrialRpt.pdf (August 2005, PDF 576KB)
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Outbreaks of aquatic weeds in waterways have occurred in some parts of NSW due to low environmental flows and the ongoing drought. Where necessary, these weeds are harvested in large quantities to improve river health. This project report documents the successful use of large-scale composting for converting aquatic weeds into compost which is suitable for improving degraded soils, vegetation establishment and water quality in catchment areas.
Compost-recycling of harvested aquatic weeds
2007368_AquaticWeedComp.pdf (August 2007, PDF 1MB)
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A qualitative evaluation of the risk of garden maintenance chemicals in recycled organic products, which are manufactured from municipally-collected garden organics is reported.
This study was done to assess the potential for gardening chemicals to persist after composting, and whether traces of these chemicals may affect markets for these products.
Risk assessment of garden maintenance chemicals in recycled organic products
SPD_ORG_020912GMCRiskAss_Prt.pdf (Sept 2002, PDF 2.3MB)
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Short Report: The benefits of using compost for mitigating climate change
This report summarises an extensive and detailed literature review of the benefits of using compost for mitigating climate change.
A key objective of this report is to summarise the scientific literature on research on the use of compost and related products in mitigating climate change. Compost and related products are processed from recycled organic materials such as garden organics, food organics, crop residuals, biosolids and manures.
Diverting these materials from landfill reduces methane emissions. Applying the products leads to climate change benefits through carbon sequestration in soil, substitution of nitrogenous and other synthetic fertilisers and the flow-on effects of improved soil health and water holding capacity following their application.
Short Report. The benefits of using compost for mitigating climate change (110171SRmitCC.pdf, PDF, 856KB)
Full Report: The benefits of using compost for mitigating climate change
For a copy of the Full Report, please email sustainability@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Many agricultural soils in NSW are low in organic carbon and continue to decrease despite the increased use of conservation farming practices.
Do recycled organics offer a means to reverse this trend and improve the sustainability of NSW agricultural soils?
This review examines:
- the potential for recycled organics to increase the sequestration of carbon in NSW soils, and
- the potential for sequestered soil carbon derived from recycled organics to qualify for inclusion in Australia's National Carbon Accounting System and be traded as carbon credits.
- Soil carbon sequestration utilising recycled organics - A review of the scientific literature
SPD_ORG_0208SoilCarbonSeq.pdf (August 2002, PDF 920KB)
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Figure 2.1 - soil types within 200 km of Sydney
SPD_ORG_Sydsoilmap.jpg (2002, JPEG 302KB)
Note:
To save a copy: right click on the link and choose Save As.
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This study aimed to collect, collate and report on the costs to local government to collect, process and market garden organics across NSW.
The project examined the costs of garden organics management that are incorporated into councils' DWMC for each of the following activities:
- collection
- processing
- community education
- home composting support.
- Study on local government management costs for garden organics
2006399_ORG_LGOVMgtCost.pdf (PDF 126KB)
First published Dec 2003
Republished Sep 2006 - DECID 2006/399 with amendments
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The Assessment of (domestic) food organics management report is provided as an information resource to assist councils with their decision analysis process when considering local and regional waste management and resource recovery options.
The report is the third in a series of triple bottom line (TBL) assessments commissioned by the Department of Environment and Conservation (now the Environment protection Authority) on aspects of domestic waste management. The other two reports, as outlined above, are:
The report has analysed a number of collection system scenarios and processing/disposal options for both Garden Organics and Food Organics and includes estimates of the costs and benefits of collection, transport, processing and beneficial re-use.
The organics collection systems analysed are:
- No garden organics collection
- Fortnightly garden organics collection
- Weekly food and garden organics collection.
The report also considers the processing of organics as part of the residual waste stream (garbage) through Alternative Waste Treatment (AWT) Technology.
The assessment of (domestic) food organics management
2007153_TBLassessment.pdf (March 2007, PDF 816KB)
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The fact sheet outlines work being performed to evaluate the sustainability benefits of using recycled composted mulch in roadside landscaping. It contains an overview of the project, including research to be undertaken on the 1.2 km trial, established on the Windsor Road, Rouse Hill. Performance of the recycled composted mulch is being compared to a conventional wood chip product, sourced from forestry operations, as a surface applied mulch.
Fact sheet - using compost in roadside landscaping
2005256_ORG_RoadsideComp_FS.pdf (Nov 2005, PDF 447KB)
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Using compost materials in the construction of community parklands
This case study provides an overview of results of a trial with Penrith City Council using compost to rehabilitate a former landfill site, and assist its conversion into community parklands. Results showed that compost can significantly improve vegetation establishment, control erosion and improve the sustainability of landfill rehabilitation projects.
Case study - Using compost materials in the construction of community parklands
07188CommParklands.pdf (May 2007, PDF 215KB)
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The use of compost in the soil mix for the construction of new sporting fields, and as regular topdressing of turf can help to improve the playability of fields, and potentially require less inputs. The case study documents results from trials undertaken with Penrith City Council to examine the sustainability and performance benefits of using compost in the construction and maintenance of sporting fields.
Case study - Using compost materials on Council sporting fields
200757SportingFields.pdf (Feb 2007 revised Nov 2007, PDF 475KB)
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The benefits of using recycled materials for reducing greenhouse gases (such as methane) and odours from small to medium size landfills is reported in this study. The study titled 'Passive Drainage and Biofiltration of Landfill Gas Using Recycled Materials' was undertaken by the University of NSW and GHD Pty Ltd, with grant funding from the Sustainability Programs Division (of the Office of Environment and Heritage), through its Research and Development Grants Program. Based on a trial system at the Bankstown City Council's Kelso landfill, the research found that methane emissions can be cut by up to 90% when the biofiltration system becomes operational at an optimal landfill gas loading rate.
Case Study Using biofilters to reduce the greenhouse impact of small to medium sized landfills
Downloadable sections:
Chapters 1-2: Executive summary, introduction and background
2006574_ORG_Biofilt_ExSummary.pdf (Dec 2006, PDF 58KB)
Chapters 3-4: Description of project and trial
2006574_ORG_Biofilt_Chap3to4.pdf (Dec 2006, PDF 1.4KB)
Chapters 5-7: Trials results and application in NSW
2006574_ORG_Biofilt_Chap5to7.pdf (Dec 2006, PDF 1.3KB)
Chapters 8-9: Conclusions, recommendations and references
2006574_ORG_Biofilt_Chap8to9.pdf(Dec 2006, PDF 1KB)
Note: Due to file size, the appendices to the report are not available for download. The appendices to the report can be obtained by sending a request to: sustainability@environment.nsw.gov.au
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Page last updated: 29 August 2012
