Waste Management Plan

B.4         Refuse Minimisation Options
Refuse Minimisation Options – Waste
 Systems               Description
 Food rescue           OzHarvest and Second Bite are food rescue organisations working throughout Australia. The organisation
                       collects surplus foods from businesses (including Woolworths, Coles, Goodman Fielder and other smaller
                       companies) and redistributes the foods to welfare agencies. They provide regular scheduled collections or ad-
                       hoc / on call collections, and they have refrigerated vehicles. Other accepted items include fresh fruit and
                       vegetables, tinned goods, cold meats and deli items, and readymade meals (which will only be accepted
                       frozen).
                       Where food rescue organisations are available, consideration may be given to suitable space for the
                       temporary storage of food stuffs, including dry storage and the placement of a small fridge if cold room space
                       is not available. There is no associated collections cost. Hence, it can be considered a zero-cost option for
                       disposal of what would otherwise be food waste, and it supports the community at the same time.




                       Sources: www.ozharvest.org, www.secondbite.org
 Composting            Food waste composing is an option of reducing the amount of general waste going to landfill where organic
                       waste can create methane gas due to anaerobic digestion, which contributes to global warming. Systems of
                       different scales exist from small benchtop composters for individual households or apartments to commercial
                       size systems. Examples are shown below.
                       The process usually involves breaking down organic food scraps through natural processes. This includes
                       systems such as worm farms or composters where microbes break down the food waste, with or without the
                       aid of compost additives. The composted products are rich in nutrients and good bacteria, and they can be
                       added to flower bed or gardens.
                       Most food wastes and other organic (garden) material can be composted including meat, fish, vegetables,
                       fruit, dairy, coffee or wilted flowers. However, large bones, excessive liquids such as cooking oil or seafood
                       shells should not be placed in the composers.




                       Sources: https://www.urbancomposter.com.au, https://closedloop.com.au/upcycling-products,
                       https://www.feedtheorca.com
 Food waste            When considering separation of organic food waste, the handling and potential for volume reduction should
 separation and        also be considered.
 collection            As an example, the Pulpmaster system can be used to reduce the stored volume of food waste produced, and
                       to prepare the material for re-use. Typically, the system is placed in proximity to sink areas in the kitchen,
                       particularly where food preparation waste or plate scrapings can be easily disposed. This provides a fully
                       sealed transfer system for storage and collection. Pulping systems can also be placed back-of-house spaces for



Site: 3-7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads                                                                                              45
Reference: 22BRW0104