In-vessel composting of putrescible organic green waste:

In December 1999 a BiobiN ® was installed at Colonnades Shopping Centre, Noarlunga Centre to undertake a feasibility study of in-vessel composting of greengrocer putrescible organic green waste.

With the assistance of professional staff of the Flinders University and Mr Dick Olesinski Eco Consultant to Colonnades Shopping Centre, the aim of the trial was to monitor:

• The maximum amount of putrescible waste that can be processed using the in-vessel system before collection.
• The optimum aeration regime to maintain aerobic conditions, minimise pump usage and achieve temperatures consistent with destruction of fly larvae and pathogenic bacteria.
• The ratio of putrescible waste/bulking agent suitable for the system.
• Minimising odours.
• The economic benefits of implementing such systems in similar facilities elsewhere, and
• the major management issues needed to make the system sustainable and user-friendly.

An in-vessel composting system, the BiobiN ® has been successfully trialed at the centre with one greengrocer disposing of organic wastes in an environmentally acceptable manner.

The system provides a cost-effective alternative to landfill disposal for organic wastes generated from a variety of facilities. During the trials the maximum period of storage of organic wastes on site was approximately seven days. However, a more extensive period may be achieved by optimising process performance. Once standard protocols and management procedures were instigated, any deleterious odour or fly nuisances were prevented. During the trial period of approximately 6 months, over 45 tonnes of organic waste was diverted from a single greengrocer.

Following the extensive trials conducted at the Colonnades Shopping Centre, the BiobiN ® has now been used at various sites around South Australia expanding from just greengrocer waste to becoming an effective vessel for the collection and disposal of Putrescible Food Waste.

Some of the sites that have benefited from this system are:

• FLINDERS UNIVERSITY - A BiobiN has been installed at the campus as contributor to on-going R&D BiobiN developments.
• KESAB - Clean up of fish.
• WOMAD - Music festival held over 3 days in Adelaide.
• MOOMBA - Santos have been using the BiobiN successfully for over 12 months for the disposal of their food waste and the system is now fully commissioned.
• McDONALDS - On going trials in a McDonalds restaurant Adelaide, Australia have shown all organic waste materials are being recycled as an alternative to landfill.
• COLES - Trials have begun in stores to improve environmental performance by organic waste recycling as alternative to landfill.