Compost WA Working Group

The Compost Western Australia working group was established in 2004. Following participation by approximately 80 stakeholders to the compost industry at the 2004 Waste and Recycle Conference, a working group was nominated to collate the outcomes of the workshop and develop a strategic plan for the recycled organics sector in Western Australia. At the same time as this strategic plan was being developed, the Federal Government funded the national ‘Compost Roadmap’ project and Compost Australia was formed under the Waste Management Association of Australia. The nominated working group from the conference was established as Recycled Organics Western Australia and became a working group of Compost Australia. In 2006, ROWA changed its name to Compost Western Australia in line with other states on a national basis.

Previous and current activities include:

• Contribution of Waste Management Board review of minimum standards for recycled organics materials applied to land 2005-06;
• Development of ‘Position Statement’ 2006;
• Submissions to Western Australian ‘State of the Environment’ reports;
• Active contribution and support of International Compost Awareness Week 2007 – 2009;
• Development and implementation of communications and strategic marketing plan 2008 – current;
• Submission to Western Australian ‘Parliamentary Enquiry into Waste’ 2009;
• Secure of funding for an Industry Development Officer for the composting industry, and continued deliverance of active guidance to this officer to undertake tasks to advance the recycled organics sector.
  

Compost Western Australia considers that its mission is to promote and support sustainable market development of the recycled organics industry.

The Compost Western Australia working group views its function as the peak body that represents, promotes and supports the recycled organics industry sector.

To achieve sustainable growth and development of the recycled organics industry sector in Western Australia.

The following strategies are and will continue to be employed to achieve the objective:

Strategy 1:  Develop a strong organisation

Achievements

• Formation of a peak body to represent the recycled organics industry sector to government, market sectors and the community.
• Recognition within government as the peak body for the recycled organics industry sector.

Goals

• To be recognised as the peak body for the recycled organics industry sector among market sectors and the community;
• To communicate effectively and widely.

Strategy 2:  Maximise market development opportunities

Achievements

• Development of a strategic marketing plan for identified target market to the recycled organics sector;
• Development of knowledge and education of target market;
• Secured government funding the development of a communications and marketing plan, as well as for an Industry Development officer. 

Goals

• Develop knowledge and educate more market sectors;
• Continue to secure government, industry and other funding.

Strategy 3:  Develop clear quality standards

Goals

• Implement minimum standards to protect public and environmental health;
• Develop guidelines for composting;
• Promote continuous improvement;
• Justify and promote industry self regulation.

Strategy 4:  Develop and promote policy that supports the recycled organics sector

Goals

• Establish use of recycled organic products as a priority of government, including Department of Agriculture of Food and Department of Environment and Conservation;
• Build recycled organics sector considerations into future planning issues.

The Compost Western Australia working group meet on the second Tuesday of every month or as determined at a prior meeting.

The Compost Western Australia Chairperson, or in his / her absence the deputy Chairperson, will report to the National Division committee.