AORA October 2025 Newsletter

From the National Executive Officer

It has been a couple of very busy weeks for AORA!

Our 2025 AGM was held on Thursday 23 October in Brisbane. Aside from standard AGM business, we also introduced two new Directors to the AORA Board in Jennifer Hughes (Beatty Hughes & Associates) and Chris Hughes (Gippsland Water) following the retirement of two sitting Directors, Charlie Emery and Lachlan Jefffries.

In addition, Kali Martin (Pure Environmental) was elected unopposed as the new Chair of the AORA Board and Daniel van Veen (Veolia) as Vice Chair. Following the AGM, we also held our Annual Members Forum with a range of speakers and topics presented. A very successful and informative day – thank you to all who attended and for your participation, attention and interactions.

This week Alex and I have been in Melbourne participating in the annual Waste Expo (2025) at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). Another great opportunity to talk about the Australian organics recycling industry and to answer a range of questions from attendees on composting and to catch-up with colleagues and friends of the industry.

Prior to Waste Expo, I attended a State Waste Chairs and CEOs Forum discussion on organics recovery at Sustainability Victoria and provided a presentation on the key industry considerations risks, opportunities and emerging considerations. Thank you to Matt Genever, CEO of Sustainability Victoria for the invitation and opportunity.

John McKew

National Executive Officer

Update on National Policy and Advocacy Officer

We are delighted to annouce that Jacqui Payne will be starting in mid November as our new National Policy and Advocacy Officer.

The first step for Jacqui will be meeting members, Government and Industry representatives, firstly in her home state of NSW, before further introductions in other states in the new year.

Busting the Myths: Certified Compostables Backed by Science

AORA Partner News

The Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) has released a new fact sheet on certified compostable products, developed in collaboration with its members, to provide clarity and scientific grounding in the ongoing conversation around compostable packaging and organics recovery.

Why It Matters

This initiative comes at a critical time. With Australians generating over 7.6 million tonnes of food waste and nearly 3 million tonnes of packaging waste ending up in landfill annually, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. Certified compostable products offer a practical, science-backed alternative that supports the transition to a circular economy by diverting organic waste into organics recycling.

What the Fact Sheet Covers

The fact sheet outlines the environmental and economic benefits of certified compostables, including their role in simplifying waste sorting, reducing contamination in recycling streams, and supporting FOGO services. Importantly, these products are independently tested to meet Australian Standards AS 4736 (for commercial composting) and AS 5810 (for home composting), ensuring they break down into CO₂, water, and biomass without leaving harmful residues.

Addressing PFAS and Misconceptions

A key feature of the ABA certification is its strict stance on PFAS. Products certified under the ABA scheme must not contain intentionally added polyfluorinated alkyl substances and must meet stringent fluorine limits. This ensures that certified compostables are not only compostable but also safe for soil and plant health.

The fact sheet also addresses common misconceptions, such as the belief that all compostable products are the same or that they contaminate composting systems. By clearly defining what constitutes a certified compostable product and how it differs from unverified alternatives, the ABA aims to empower policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders with accurate, science-based information.

A Call to Action

The ABA’s fact sheet is a step forward in aligning efforts and busting myths with science, and encourages its use in policy discussions, regulatory reviews, and public education campaigns to ensure that certified compostables are recognised for their role in achieving national organics recovery targets and reducing plastic pollution.

As the organics recycling sector continues to grow, collaboration between industry, government, and the community will be essential.

Download the fact sheet

Response to the NSW draft biosolids Resource Recovery Order and Exemption

AORA has recently provided a submission to the NSW EPA on the draft biosolids Resource Recovery Order and Exemption. This is a complex regulatory issue, and we are appreciative of the opportunity to provide practical and specific expertise to inform a regulatory approach that necessarily considers risks but also maintains and drives benefits of resource recovery activities.

AORA’s clear position is that while controlling chemical contaminants of concern is important, the draft biosolids Resource Recovery Order and Exemption (‘the draft RROE’) is premature, overly conservative, and misaligned with real-world operations.

The rapid imposition of extremely low contaminant limits, without consideration of background levels, limitations in testing methodology, or system-level interactions, risks halting composting activities, undermining market confidence, and diverting material to landfill unnecessarily.

These far-reaching operational and economic impacts highlight the need for a more measured approach to regulation that aligns with practical realities of the organics recycling industry.

Given these considerations, AORA asserts that a comprehensive Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) should be undertaken before finalising the draft RROE. A RIS would provide a more transparent, evidence-based assessment of costs, potential unintended consequences, and the alignment of modelled risks with real-world system dynamics.

Should you wish to see the full response, please contact Angus Johnston

Of Interest

CEMAC technologies’ future-ready organics

CEMAC technologies’ integrated systems are designed to future-proof processing assets as the organics economy evolves, enabling operators to consistently produce quality, market-ready outputs.

With FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) mandates driving change, councils and industry operators are under pressure to adopt smarter, more resilient systems.

However, persistent issues such as contamination and inconsistent feedstock quality continue to impact product standards and facility efficiency.

In response, CEMAC technologies is leading the way with integrated, future-ready solutions that support the entire process, from material handling to the production of high-quality compost or digestate.