Compost SA Working Group
Return it to Earth

In March 2006, Compost Australia launched the ‘Compost Industry Supply Chain Roadmap’. This document was the culmination of a huge amount of work completed throughout Australia.

The ‘Roadmap’ clearly defines the state of the recycled organics sector in Australia, it describes the unique supply chain operating in this sector, identifies clear road blocks in the industry, reviews current policy and makes recommendations on how the industry can move forward into sustainability and prosperity.

This is an incredibly important document in the development of our industry. Compost SA commends Compost Australia, the WMAA and the Barton Group for their foresight in creating this ‘Roadmap’ for our industry. Compost SA plan to build on the framework created by the ‘Roadmap’.

Like the rest of the country, the industry in SA is in a fragile and vulnerable state.

Nevertheless, as an industry we are determined to work collaboratively to improve the viability of our sector and support our state government’s Strategic Plan.

As an industry we play an important role in diverting valuable resource from our landfill. This action has manifold environmental and economic benefits to our state. As an industry we are committed to increasing this resource diversion from our landfills and return the material to our South Australian soils.

By December 2008, the recycled organics sector in South Australia shall:

• recover in excess of 250k tonnes of organic material each year which were previously sent to landfill,
• recover food organics from the kerbside MSW collections,
• have ongoing funds committed to support the Compost SA Industry Development Officer and Research Officer,
• have established in-vessel composting capacity in SA to receive and process more volatile organic materials,
• be working collaboratively with the poultry industry to recover and process their industry waste streams, 
• have developed sustainable end markets to consume all recycled organics processed in South Australia, and
• be recognised as a professional, collaborative industry association, recognised for its contribution to South Australia’s primary industries and the improved management of the State’s soils and water resources.

The strategic objectives have been broken into the following key areas:

a. Industry to Influence
The first of the "Roadmap" strategies is for the formation of a strong, unified peak body to influence government policy and to guide the industry toward sustainability. Compost SA is committed to increasing its profile and professionalism. Compost SA shall work with key industry stakeholders to develop collaborative policy aimed at achieving our vision whilst ensuring this is done in an economically viable manner.

b. Research and Education
Compost SA shall develop a comprehensive research and education plan for our industry. This shall link in with the national framework. In particular, this plan will identify and exploit research and education opportunities which promote the use of recycled organic material as soil conditioners and mulches in agriculture and horticulture. It shall also include the ongoing education and professional development within the industry. Compost SA now has a full time Research Officer based in SARDI.

c. Standards
Compost SA shall work with major quality certifying bodies (Standards Australia, NAASA etc) to ensure that standards developed by these bodies are relevant to the market and develop and implement information and education programs explaining the benefits of using recycled organics as soil conditioners and mulches in all commercial markets and domestic applications.

d. Market Development
Compost SA shall work to develop new and innovative markets for recycled organic materials. Compost SA has just appointed a full time Compost Industry Development Officer. This person is likely to be based at the Waite.

A Committee of the membership of the Working Group is elected on an annual basis.