Australian Organics Recycling Association - AORA

19/06/2026

With the release of Queensland's waste strategy earlier this week, there is no better time to have Claire Andersen, DETSI Executive Director, Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling at our breakfast event next Friday.

Joining Claire, is Matt McCarthy who will share the experiences of Brisbane City Council and their kerbside organics program and insight from end user, farmer and agronomist, Steve Martin.

Join us to explore the current, and future opportunities for organics recycling in Queensland

Friday 26 June | 7am – 7.30am start | Colmslie Hotel

Bookings close on Monday 5pm, unless sold out prior! Don't miss out!

https://aora.org.au/event/aora-qld-breakfast-june-2026/

https://aora.org.au/event/aora-qld-breakfast-june-2026/

18/06/2026

BOOKINGS CLOSE 5PM FRIDAY FOR AORA NSW BREAKFAST

Over breakfast we will examine a systems approach to making FOGO Work: Procurement, Partnership & Contamination Reduction in NSW

We will dive into the practical realities of FOGO readiness, procurement and processing, featuring Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Council’s ongoing journey to align the full supply chain and define local government’s essential role.

Hear from Veolia on their successful and enduring joint local government interventions that have meaningfully cut contamination rates and supported targetted interventions.

Finally, an overview of the new NSW FOGO education video resources from MRA, AORA, and NSW EPA

Wednesday 24 June | 7am for 7.30am start | Pullman Olympic Park, Sydney

Book Now: https://aora.org.au/event/aora-nsw-breakfast-june-2026/

17/06/2026

You need to be in this room!

Friday 26 June | 7am – 7.30am start | Colmslie Hotel | The Future of Organics: Policy, Strategy & Direction in Queensland

This is an in-depth industry session exploring the current landscape and future direction of composting in Queensland.

Claire Andersen, Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation about the Queensland Waste Strategy, organics, and emerging trends shaping compliance and best practice across the sector

Matt McCarthy, Brisbane City Council will provide insights into their kerbside organics program

Steve Martin, an experienced agronomist and organic farmer, will be discussing Beyond the Pile: The Realities of Recycled Organic Compost: Why the plant is the ultimate judge of your soil health program!

This is a must-attend event for anyone involved in Queensland’s organics industry looking to stay informed, connected, and be ready for what’s next.

Book Now: https://aora.org.au/event/aora-qld-breakfast-june-2026/

16/06/2026

Don't miss this important discussion! Making FOGO Work: Procurement, Partnership & Contamination Reduction in NSW

Wednesday 24 June | 7am for 7.30am start | Pullman Olympic Park, Sydney

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲, 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿!

At this breakfast we will dive into the practical realities of FOGO readiness, procurement and processing, featuring Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Council’s ongoing journey to align the full supply chain and define local government’s essential role.

Hear from a processor on their successful and enduring joint local government interventions that have meaningfully cut contamination rates and supported targetted interventions.

Rounding out the session, an overview of the new NSW FOGO education video resources from MRA, AORA, and NSW EPA that will assist in engaging the community.

Book Now: https://aora.org.au/event/aora-nsw-breakfast-june-2026/

11/06/2026

News from the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA)

The association has launched a YouTube channel focused on all things certified compostable and more! Designed for businesses, consumers and government, this channel will deliver clear, practical education on certification, standards and real-world use. The ABA understands that video as a medium helps simplify complex topics and reach audiences who prefer visual, easy-to-digest content over written material – which is why the channel was launched – and content is also shared on the ABA website vlog page.

AORA members are encouraged to explore, share and use these resources to support better understanding and stronger outcomes for organics recycling and circularity.



Check it out here:

Welcome to the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) — the peak industry body for bioplastics, certified compostable materials, and the circular bio‑economy across Australia and New Zealand. Our mission is to advance a sustainable future by promoting responsible production, use, and recover...

11/06/2026

Tickets are selling quickly for 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀: 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆, 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 & 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

Friday 26 June | 7am – 7.30am start | Colmslie Hotel

This is an in-depth industry session exploring the current landscape and future direction of composting in Queensland.

Hear from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation as they discuss the Queensland Waste Strategy, organics, and emerging trends shaping compliance and best practice across the sector and Brisbane City Council about their kerbside organics program

This is a must-attend event for anyone involved in Queensland’s organics industry looking to stay informed, connected, and be ready for what’s next.

Book Now: https://aora.org.au/event/aora-qld-breakfast-june-2026/

10/06/2026

Van Schaik’s Bio Gro has expanded its growing media, mulch and compost production with a new packaging plant in Victoria.

Stephen, the company’s Managing Director, has steered Bio Gro through decades of partnership and expansion – such as its alignment with the Australian Recycling Organics Association (AORA).

“Bio Gro was part of an organisation called Compost SA in 2008, which was composed of the three largest composters in the state,” Stephen says. “Other companies in other states were aiming to do a similar thing, so we all decided to meet in Canberra and discussed forming a national group, which ultimately became AORA.

“I enjoy our membership with AORA because the association provides many opportunities for people to engage with the wider organic recycling and sustainability world. It also supports what Bio Gro does and also helps share our mission.”

Bio Gro now recovers and processes in excess of 400,000 tonnes of organic residues per annum including timber and forest residues, liquid organic residues and food organics and garden organics (FOGO).

In Victoria, Bio Gro’s receival and distribution facility in South Dandenong receives, decontaminates and shreds in excess of 200,000 tonnes of FOGO annually. Much of this material is delivered and processed at its recently established regional composting facility in Newbridge, which is also home to a newly commissioned packaging plant.

The Newbridge facility comprises a fully automated ‘Form-Fill-Seal’ packaging line from Premier Tech, another AORA member. Bio Gro now has three Premier Tech packaging plants incorporated into the Mt Gambier and Newbridge facilities, principally because of their speed and efficiency.

“The Premier Tech packaging plant at Newbridge is very sophisticated compared to our old packaging processes which was a very manual set up,” Stephen says.

https://wastemanagementreview.com.au/key-aora-member-expands-vic-operations/

09/06/2026

Have you booked for the upcoming NSW event?

Wednesday 24 June | 7am for 7.30am start | Pullman Olympic Park, Sydney

Join us for breakfast as we examine a systems approach to making FOGO Work: Procurement, Partnership & Contamination Reduction in NSW

We will dive into the practical realities of FOGO readiness, procurement and processing, featuring Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Council’s ongoing journey to align the full supply chain and define local government’s essential role.

Hear from a processor on their successful and enduring joint local government interventions that have meaningfully cut contamination rates and supported targetted interventions.

Rounding out the session, an overview of the new NSW FOGO education video resources from MRA, AORA, and NSW EPA that will assist in engaging the community.

Book Now: https://aora.org.au/event/aora-nsw-breakfast-june-2026/

04/06/2026

Last week, AORA NEO, John McKew participated in the Soil Wealth ICP Webinar; Solutions for on-farm organics:Digging into Compost.

During the webinar, John provided insights into commercial compost production, compost quality, AS4454 standards and the importance of growers working closely with suppliers to source fit-for-purpose compost products.

Another highlight was hearing from farmer, Mark Schreurs, about their experience with a reduction in synthetic fertiliser inputs by up to 75 per cent over time on their vegetable farm. This highlights the potential long-term cost and productivity benefits of building soil organic matter and improving nutrient cycling within the farming system.

The 'Solutions for on-farm organics: Digging into compost' webinar recording explores practical approaches to managing organic materials on-farm and the role compost can play in improving resource efficiency, reducing waste and supporting soil health outcomes. The session included perspectives from....

04/06/2026

Have you booked your ticket for 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀: 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆, 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 & 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱, an in-depth industry session exploring the current landscape and future direction of composting in Queensland.

Friday 26 June | 7am – 7.30am start | Colmslie Hotel

Hear from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation as they discuss the Queensland Waste Strategy, organics, and emerging trends shaping compliance and best practice across the sector and from Brisbane City Council about their kerbside organics program.

This is a must-attend event for anyone involved in Queensland’s organics industry looking to stay informed, connected, and be ready for what’s next.

Book Now: https://aora.org.au/event/aora-qld-breakfast-june-2026/