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Organic waste opportunities in Tasmania

RMCG Tasmania recently led a consortium of consultants to help the state government better understand organic waste streams and the opportunities for industries and communities to use them as valuable resource.

Tasmania is a state of great natural beauty with many unique and protected environmental values as well as productive agricultural lands, vibrant manufacturing industries, and an innovative hospitality and food service sector.

The Tasmanian Government is driving a new pathway away from ‘waste management’ into ‘resource recovery’ and has set a target of reducing the volume of organic waste sent to landfill by 25% in 2025 and 50% by 2030.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania initiated a body of work designed to support strong leadership and strategic frameworks to transform the state’s current relationship to ‘waste’ in ways that will result in changed attitudes and practices, bringing better local environmental, social and economic outcomes.

Organic waste: current landscape and future opportunities

RMCG Tasmania led a consortium of consultants to develop the Tasmanian Organics Research Report which investigates the promising opportunities that the state’s organic waste streams could offer to several industry sectors.

It formed the basis for a Tasmanian Organics Strategic Framework which provides a suggested structure, elements and focus areas that may be considered when developing the organics section of Tasmania’s Waste Strategy (planned for late 2022).

Click here to read the final Research Report and Strategic Framework, or a summary of the key findings.

The RMCG-led consortium included Rawtec (SA), Optimum Standard (Tas) and Carbon Clarity (UK). The team’s understanding of the local landscape of organics generation, fates and technologies as well as relationships with key stakeholders was combined with international, national and South Australian perspectives and insights.

The methodology of data capture, analysis and scenario modelling used an adaptive approach and included intensive stakeholder consultation. The project was conducted in close collaboration with the Waste Initiatives Team at Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, in consultation with the Environment Protection Authority, and with critical input from a project reference group which represented key stakeholder groups.

Find out more about our work in circular organics, compost and waste management.

Machinery with organic waste and compost

Team

Isabel Axiö

Isabel Axiö

Senior Consultant

B.Env.Mgt. (Sustainable Development)

Isabel has 6 years’ experience in the environmental management sector and her key areas of expertise are in sustainable management of recycled water and organic wastes. Waste is an important and longstanding interest of Isabel’s, especially organic waste avoidance, processing, whole production-line waste minimisation, as well as recycling and product stewardship projects. She wants to link this interest with interdisciplinary environmental projects in climate change mitigation, sustainable natural resource management and agricultural production systems.

Dr Doris Blaesing

Dr Doris Blaesing

Associate

Dipl.Ing.Agr., Dr.rer.hort.

Doris has extensive experience in agricultural business development, resource management and R&D. She has a good understanding of agricultural production systems and supply chains. Her strengths are strategy and concept development, innovative thinking, problem solving, multi-disciplinary project management and communication on all levels with a broad range of people. Doris worked in public and private research, education, export and agribusinesses.

Donna Lucas

Donna Lucas

Principal

B.App.Sci. (Hons)

Donna is an agricultural consultant with experience in business management, research and extension. She is adaptable with an ability to contribute to projects at a strategic level.
Donna has specialist knowledge in workforce development and planning, resource recovery, carbon farming, greenhouse gas/carbon accounting and project evaluation. Her strengths include driving execution, building connections and problem solving.

Tristan Wardley

Tristan Wardley

Senior Consultant

B.Ag.Sci. (Hons)

Tristan is an experienced economics consultant at RMCG. He has worked across the agriculture and horticulture industries and has experience in natural resource management. Tristan is experienced in business and financial planning and decision analysis.

He has a thorough understanding of business structural change, specialising in micro-economic investment and production decisions, with a particular interest and skill set in risk analysis. His experience within the agricultural industry through private and public forums has given him the opportunity to contribute to progressive agricultural research.

Tristan has a developed commercial, operational and strategic skill set, and a deep understanding of sustainable and profitable business models.  He has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and understands the range of factors influencing a business owner’s needs, risks and aspirations.

 

Natasha Frazer

Natasha Frazer

Consultant

BSc (Chemical Systems)

Natasha has recently joined RMCG and has a degree and experience in Chemical Systems. She has an interest in the agri-food and environmental sectors and has theoretical and practical knowledge in process engineering, sustainability, agriculture and waste management.

Emily Tee

Emily Tee

Senior Consultant

B.Ag.Sci., Grad.Dip.App.Sci. (Hort), Dip.Bus.

Emily is a multi-skilled professional with experience in design, delivery and review of programs and projects in the environmental and agricultural sectors. She combines excellent strategic thinking skills with a proven ability to problem-solve and effectively communicate with colleagues and stakeholders. Emily has particular skills in relationship building and collaboration with individuals, teams and industry groups to lead and implement change and deliver on outcomes.

Morag Anderson

Morag Anderson

Consultant

BSc (Hons), Dip.Proj.Mgmnt

Morag is an experienced project manager, with a great ability to synthesise technical information and communicate it to a wide audience.  She has a great understanding of regulatory processes. She also brings critical thinking and an awareness of individual differences and needs to projects.  She has a science background with a broad understanding of environmental disciplines.