Organic waste needed for ReWaste trial in Victoria

Five years in the making, the project formerly known as Waste to Energy — now known as ReWaste — is on the brink of opening its doors to customers. Yarra Valley Water in Victoria has constructed the purpose-built facility which is now in the commissioning phase.

Yarra Valley Water Manager Waste to Energy Services Damien Bassett said that the digesters are currently being seeded as part of the commissioning of the facility.

“During the commissioning phase we will be feeding organic food waste into the digesters to commence the biological process which will take approximately three months. I would encourage interested parties to get in touch as we will be using this phase to test our systems and processes. The food wastes listed below can take advantage of this commissioning phase and see the facility in action before we commence full operations in April 2017,” added Bassett.

Organic waste needed:

• Fats, oils and grease (eg, grease trap waste)
• Food process waste (including animal wastes)
• Food waste (restaurant wastes and vegetable scraps)
• Dairy wastes including cheese whey
• Animal processing wastes
• DAF sludge
• De-packaged spoilt liquids
• Process upset wastes

Good business and good for the planet

The ReWaste business will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and recycle approximately 33,000 tonnes of organic waste every year — or approximately 100 tonnes per day — offering an affordable alternative to current organic waste disposal that may otherwise have ended up in landfill.

The facility sits next to an existing sewage treatment plant in Wollert near Craigieburn and will generate enough biogas to run both sites with surplus energy to be exported to the electricity grid.

Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Pat McCafferty said similar facilities have been successfully used throughout the world, including Europe and the United States, but extensive research was needed to determine whether it would work in the Australian market.

“This groundbreaking facility has the potential to change the way we use and value our assets in the Australian water industry. Instead of treating the organics as waste, we’re treating them as a product with value that can be re-used to create and capture methane gas resulting in significant environmental and cost benefits. As well as helping to keep organics out of landfill, we are also helping to make recycling commercial organic waste easier and more affordable for businesses,” said McCafferty.

To find out more about ReWaste contact Damien Bassett, Manager Waste to Energy Services, at damien.bassett@yvw.com.au.

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