FEATURED TOPIC – ORGANICS
Preparing the next generation EDUCATION IS KEY TO INCREASING RECYCLING RATES OF ORGANIC WASTE, SAYS BIOMIX CHIEF EXECUTIVE MIKE ROBERTSON.
T
he United Nations Sustainable Development Goals note that children are critical agents of change. While the goals are geared toward climate change on a global scale, Biomix Composting believes the message can translate to a local level. Each year, Australians throw away 7.3 million tonnes of food, about 300 kilograms per person. Add in garden organics, such as grass clippings and garden waste, and the average rubbish bin contains about 50 per cent organic waste that ends up in landfill, according to Clean Up Australia. Australia is working toward a Federal Government commitment to provide FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) services to all households by the end of 2023 in a bid to reduce the amount of food waste going to landfill. But as councils
roll out FOGO services, confusion and a lack of education about what can be recycled are hampering efforts. Biomix is encouraging a “cradle to grave” approach to recycling and hopes children will be role models for good behaviour. “Education of children in recycling is imperative,” says Mike Robertson, Biomix Chief Executive. “They are quick to pick out adults who are putting the wrong thing in a bin. “Climate Change and looking after our environment, I believe, is an area that children are more mindful of. They’re more aware of what we can do at a household level to reduce our impact. “One of our councils, Campaspe Shire, is working hard in this area and has been implementing
an education program that will include visits to Biomix.” Biomix is a privately owned compost facility, operating on a 200acre working farm in Carag Carag, Central Victoria. It’s responsible for the diversion of more than 100,000 tonnes of organics from landfill annually. Surrounded by broad acre farms, orchards and wineries, the company specialises in developing compost for agricultural markets. Mike says Biomix is unique from traditional waste companies, as it focuses on providing local councils direct access to a waste facility and the ability to track and contribute to a circular economy. The company produces a mature compost and mulch product that is sold back to the community and
Sunset among the compost windrows at Biomix.
32 / WMR / December 2021
