From the National Executive Officer

The conflict in the Middle East is, as I am sure we are all too well aware, having profound humanitarian and economic consequences across the world.

Without diminishing the humanitarian impacts of this conflict for one moment, the cost of fuel has become a significant economic issue for everyone in this country.

Virtually everything we need, rely on, buy, use, or expect as a service relies on transport and, therefore, fuel. This includes our waste processing and recycling industry, which represents organisations across the country responsible for collecting, transporting, and processing municipal, commercial, industrial, and hazardous waste streams.

AORA has been approached by ACOR (with whom we have had an MoU since December 2022 establishing a ‘collaborative partnership’ to add value to each other’s strategic objectives, and progress policy development and advocacy relating to organic recycling) to be a co-signatory on a letter with various other waste peaks to The Hon. Chris Bowen MP (Minister for Climate Change and Energy) strongly urging the ‘Recognition of the Waste and Recycling Sector as a Priority Fuel User under the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984’.

Without doubt the best outcome from this situation is an end to the conflict.

However, in the interim, a collaborative approach to government to remind them of our industry’s value and importance is an important first step.

John McKew 

National Executive Officer

Policy Updates and Information

Butcher waste (i.e bones) EPA guidance document consultation

AORA was involved in early-stage consultation as part of the NSW EPA’s development of butcher waste guidance materials (particularly for bones and fat).
This is ahead of the first stage of the NSW FOGO mandates coming into effect for businesses from 1st July 2026.

If anyone in NSW or other jurisdictions has a solution for butcher waste that is working well, or wants to participate in a consultation please contact Jacqui.

Australian Organics Ltd (AOL) engagement

Jacqui attended the Australian Organics Ltd (AOL) industry events in Canberra, covering organic consumer research insights, export market update, and a feedback workshop on the draft Organic Horticulture Research, Development & Implementation Strategy.

An excellent opportunity to engage with organic certifiers, producers and parliamentarians on mutually relevant opportunities between certified organic production and the compost industry.  

PFAS in compost & testing

We are continuing to progress engagement with the National Measurement Institute (NMI) on the development of their Proficiency Testing (PT) study focused on PFAS in compost.

It is hoped that this engagement with NMI and State EPA’s will support a consistent and evidence-based approach to any required PFAS testing in organic materials which we understand to be a complex task in itself.

A PT study, is an external quality control tool required under laboratory accreditation processes, and provides an unbiased assessment of the performance of all aspects of the laboratory.

Priority escalation of key issues including dangerous contaminants, i.e batteries, via ACOR

Following John and Jacqui’s member visits across Victoria in early March, John has escalated and continued to work in cross-sector forums facilitated by ACOR for more action and solutions to combat dangerous and high-risk contaminants, such as batteries.

In support, ACOR has published a media release calling for regulatory certainty and coordinated action across national packaging reform, embedded battery fires, demand for Australian recycled materials and enforced and harmonization across policy.

From an AORA perspective we will ensure that the need for effective solutions to dangerous contaminants, such as batteries, remains part of our continued advocacy and education efforts.  

Letter highlighting the waste and recycling sector as a priority fuel user under the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984

The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and state and territory peak waste and recycling associations have on behalf of the waste and recycling industry sent a letter to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

This letter clearly outlines the important case for the waste and recycling sector to be formally recognised as a priority fuel user under the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984.     

We will continue to support and seek aligned opportunities to emphasise the criticality of our sector as this fuel supply situation evolves.

Upcoming advocacy engagement opportunities

We are all out and about doing our bit to advocate for our industry, products and opportunities.

With that in mind, each month we’ll provide greater visibility for our membership by listing our upcoming AORA team advocacy engagements.

Upcoming and scheduled include:

April:

• QLD DETSI Waste and Resource Recovery Sector Regulator Roadshow.

May:

• Organics Interjurisdictional (EPA) meeting – AORA presentation.
• Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) – state waste/resource recovery policy officers meeting.

If you have any questions regarding these opportunities or events to add please get in touch with Jacqui.

Reminder: AORA State Meetings

AORA State Members Meetings are a valuable member benefit, providing you with up to date information about the industry, progress reports on submissions, reports or hot topics and a chance to discuss key state and national issues with other state and national members.

The AORA QLD Meeting was held last week and the minutes are now available in the portal.  

Vic Meeting | 2 April | 11.30am 

NSW Meeting | 9 April | 11.30am 

If you are a member in these states, or a national member, and these are not in your calendar, please contact us.  

Find A Composter

One of the valuable benefits of AORA Processor Membership is your exclusive ability to be listed on AORA’s “Find a Composter” directory.

Every week we receive enquiries asking for information about local composters, and we point them in direction of Find a Composter.

The listing is your own, you can add as much information about your services and products as you like!

To create or update your listing on the directory, the AORA administrator of your membership can simply login to the membership portal and click manage your processor listing and get started!

And if you are looking for your nearest composter, this is the resource for you! 

A New Digital Platform to Support Certified Compostables and Organics Recycling

The Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) has recently launched a redesigned website aimed at strengthening how certified compostable products are understood, verified, and implemented across Australia and New Zealand. For the organics recycling sector, this marks an important step forward.

Certified compostable products play a critical role in supporting food and garden organics systems, yet confusion around claims, standards and verification continues to hinder effective policy and operational outcomes. ABA’s new digital platform has been designed to address this gap by providing a trusted, centralised source of information for industry, regulators and government.

The website streamlines access to ABA’s certification pathways and verification programs while offering practical resources, fact sheets and guidance aligned with recognised compostability standards. Importantly, it shifts the conversation from broad sustainability claims to evidence‑based, certified solutions that work within established organics recovery systems.

As pressure increases on councils and processors to reduce contamination and improve material outcomes, access to clear, credible information has never been more important. By making certification easier to navigate and information easier to access, ABA’s new platform supports more informed decision‑making and greater alignment between product design, policy intent and composting infrastructure.

The new website is now live and available at www.bioplastics.org.au, providing a valuable resource for all stakeholders working towards a functional circular economy.

Of Interest

Updated SA Disaster Waste Management Guidelines now available

Green Industries SA (GISA) has recently released the updated Disaster Waste Management Guidelines. These guidelines are a key resource for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from waste issues caused by disaster events, and we encourage all stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the latest updates.

The updated guidelines provide practical, end‑to‑end advice for designing and implementing coordinated waste management programs following a disaster. They also offer technical guidance for handling high‑volume and hazardous waste streams typically encountered during clean‑up operations.

This revision incorporates lessons learned from GISA’s delivery of the River Murray flood clean‑up program and extensive consultation with industry experts. New and expanded content includes:

• community communication
• program roles and responsibilities
• Aboriginal cultural heritage
• safe handling of lithium-ion batteries
• safe handling of respirable crystalline silica

Importantly, the guidelines support not only response and recovery but also proactive disaster planning and preparedness. Councils, industry, and emergency management partners can use the guidelines to strengthen local and regional resilience.

With the current high‑risk bushfire period, GISA encourages stakeholders to review the guidelines and consider how disaster waste management is embedded within existing emergency and business continuity plans. This may include assessing available infrastructure, operational procedures, and stakeholder networks, and identifying opportunities to further strengthen them.

The full guidelines are available on the Green Industries SA website.

Remake of the Alternative Waste Treatment method

The Australian Resources Recovery Council (ARRC) has been approved to lead the remake of the Alternative Waste Treatment method (AWT Method) under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme. 

This remake is urgently needed to incentivise diverting waste from landfill to create alternative fuels, biomethane, or potentially other activities under the ACCU Scheme.

If you are interested in being involved, please complete the expression of interest available on the ARRC website: AWT Method Remake

New labelling requirements for certified compostable items in South Australia

From 1 March 2026, the South Australian regulations require that to be exempt from being a prohibited plastic product, individual AS certified compostable food and beverage containers, including bowls without lids, must be ‘clearly labelled as, or otherwise marked in a manner that indicates that’ the product is home compostable, both home compostable and industrially compostable, or industrially compostable (as applicable). This includes all food containers and their lids, where used for ready-to-eat food and all hot and cold beverage cups and their lids.

Learn more at Replace the Waste

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