Cool Compost

Purchasing and using compost not only improves soil health and productivity, it also provides cost-effective solutions for businesses and government agencies looking to reduce their waste and carbon footprint.

In the final episode of the Cool Compost series, we talk to a government representative and the recycled organics industry about what’s on the horizon for compost, and hear about a case study that increased awareness and uptake in the infrastructure sector.

Tune in to learn

• How compost made from kerbside organics is a versatile recycled product that can be used in a variety of projects. (02:24)

• How the Organics Market Development grants program showcased the benefits of compost across a range of markets (3:42)

• How the compost blanket project demonstrated how roadside sites can be stabilised and rehabilitated using compost. (5:06)

• The importance of sourcing site specific compost. (10:00)

• Product reliability and quality standards. (12:32)

• How government agencies can lead the way and make the most of quality recycled compost as we move towards a circular economy. (15:00)

About our guests

Councils are largely responsible for managing our waste to landfill or recycling and keeping our waterways clean. Did you know that compost from recycled food and garden organic waste is a solution to both these challenges? In this episode we talk to a council that’s trialling waste reduction initiatives to achieve sustainability and circular economy goals.

Tune in to learn

• How the City of Newcastle is working to reducing waste and recycle food and garden organics. (01:57)

• How the City of Newcastle and the Centre for Organic Research and Education conducted a successful trial using compost in stormwater biofiltration (4:04)

• How food and garden organics recycling can divert waste from landfill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (09:51)

• How compost has added benefits including increasing infiltration and storing more soil moisture. (11:09)

• How development control plans need to be changed to encourage the use of recycled materials in biofilters for new developments. (12:52)

• How councils across the Hunter region are implementing a circular economy procurement project to help procure more recycled organics products. (18:17)

About our guests

Whether you’re a landscape designer, project developer or town planner, using compost is a long-term investment in the health and productivity of landscape design.

In this episode we talk to a consultant about how compost could improve your project’s overall sustainability rating. And we hear from a housing developer that’s leading the way in sustainable suburbs.

Tune in to learn

• How commercial compost is helping to improve property and infrastructure projects, meet sustainability requirements, and boost the survival rate of plants. (04:14)

• How composting can play an important role in a circular economy and help meet the NSW Government’s target for all households and select business to be recycling food and organics by 2030. (09:55)

• How applying compost can provide a range of benefits relating to water, waste, biodiversity, reducing emissions, responding to climate risk, and meeting sustainability ratings. (13:45)

About our guests

When it comes to growing vegetables and other horticulture crops, soil health is vital. So, it's important to put nutrient-rich plant material back into the soil using recycled organics like compost. It builds soil health, structure and water holding capacity.

In this episode, we talk to a vegetable grower who trialled compost made from supermarket food waste. And we hear from experts about the growing opportunities for the horticulture industry as food and garden organics waste collection ramps up across NSW.

Tune in to learn

• How compost makes soil more resilient and able to cope with heavy rainfall, high temperatures and drought. (02:16)

• How vegetable and herb grower Damien Lin trialled quality compost made from food waste supplied by Harris Farm Markets. (05:18)

• How successful demonstration trials around NSW have proven that compost can have economic benefits and increase soil health, organic matter, and yield. (8:14)

• How a lack of awareness of compost and the benefits of using it has limited uptake across the agriculture sector to date – and how this is set to change. (15:42)

• How vegetable growers and other horticulture industries can get started with compost – and what to consider when sourcing and applying it. (17:58)

About our guests

Compost has been used in agriculture for centuries, but the widespread potential of commercial compost in the grazing industry remains largely untapped. Why?

In this episode, we talk to a grazier who used compost to transform his farming landscape from dirt poor to rich pasture. And we hear from an environmental scientist who’s used the power of compost pellets to boost a farmer’s crop by 30%.

Tune in to learn

• How grazier Steve Leisk and his wife transformed their property in central west NSW into rich fertile soils using compost. (02:35)

• How grazier and compost spreading contractor Tim Mendham improved his farm and others by applying compost with a state-of-the-art spreader. (08:39)

• How a ground-breaking trial using compost pellets could change the way compost is used, increase yield and open the market for compost in broadacre agriculture. (13:40)

• How using commercial compost benefits farms by putting carbon and vital trace elements into the soil, improving water retention, becoming more drought resilient and helping with erosion control. (23:09)

• How to start using commercial compost on your farm. (29:36)

About our guests