The NSW EPA has strict requirements for applying organics to land.
For more information please visit the Work Health, Safety & Permitting tab.
Equipment Overview& Equipment Details
Equipment Details
Make, Model & Classification
Name
Food Waste Composter
Model
CLO300
Classification
Organics Processing
Operations
Description or Purpose
Processes up to 600kg food waste/day, accepting all kinds of food waste with the exception of bulk oils or large meat bones.
The process is continuous, so food waste can be loaded at any time, up to the daily capacity.
Within 24-hours the food waste is reduced by 80-90% and converted into a nutrient-rich resource, suitable for use on lawns, vegetable gardens and most garden beds.
Used to capacity the CLO300 will divert around 220 tons of food waste from landfill and produce around 44 ton of soil conditioner per annum
Operating Principles
The process uses a combination of microbes, heat, agitation and air flow within an enclosed chamber to process the food waste.
The application of heat means the material is pasteurised, destroying harmful bacteria such as E.coli, salmonella and campylobacter.
The unit is offloaded weekly, with approx. 1/3 of the material being left in the unit as starter material for the next load of food waste (ie. the unit is never completely emptied so the microbial material is not an ongoing expense).
Additional Information
Because the units are aerated the waste is broken down aerobically and there are no unpleasant sulphur odours generated. The smell is mild and often described as similar to fermenting apples, rum and raisin or Christmas pudding!
The number of general waste bins/skips required and associated collection costs will be reduced by about half for most establishments. The odour and pests around bins will be gone!
On-site processing of food waste not only stops methane production at the landfill but also reduces transportation. The greenhouse gas savings are significant!
Photograph
Recyclables Processed & Productivity
Recyclables Processed
Target Recyclables and Productivity Rates
Recyclable Type
Productivity - Loading Rate
(kg per hour)
Processing Capacity - Treatment
(kg per week)
Storage Capacity
(kg per batch)
Operating Life
(machine hrs)
Food Organics
1
4200
600
*
Other Organics (garden etc.)
Flexible Plastic
Rigid Plastic
Mixed Plastics
Expanded Polystyrene
Glass
Paper
Cardboard
Mixed Paper & Cardboard
Timber
Other Recyclable
Productivity
Life Expectancy
Operating Life - Years
*
Level of Automation
Operating Mode
Continuous
Degree of Automation
Fully automated - materials placed into system and process automated
Labour Requirements
Number of Operators
1
Operator Time (per cycle in mins.)
20min
Consumables Required
Consumables
none
Service Requirements
Service Freq. (Tonnes)
0
Service Freq. (Months)
3
Downtime per Service (hours)
0
Periodic Cleaning Requirements
Periodic Cleaning
None
Loading & Unloading Equipment
Manual Handling Loading
Manual
Manual Handling Unloading
Other
If Other (specify)
Manually-assisted automation
Work Health and Safety & Permitting
Work Health and Safety
Training
Operator Training Requirements
Familiarisation induction - by OEM/supplier
Personal Protective Equipment
Head - Hard Hat
Eyes - Glasses
Breathing - Mask or Respirator
Hands - Gloves
Feet - Industrial Footwear
Visibility - Hi-viz Clothing
Other PPE
Training Material
Printed
Video/DVD
Web-based
Other
Fencing & Enclosures
Fencing
Bunding
Floor Reinforcing
Covers or Shielding
Other
Approvals Related to Use of Output
Important Note on Composting in NSW
In NSW, applying waste to land – including a processed waste such as compost - or using it as a fuel may trigger various regulatory requirements.
Depending on the proposed use you may be required to comply with a
Resource Recovery Exemption or need to hold an environment protection
licence, and pay the waste levy.
While there is a Compost Exemption (2014) it is important to note that
drying or dehydrating food waste, or any other compostable waste, is specifically excluded from consideration under this exemption. Drying or dehydrating
equipment uses externally supplied energy to heat and ventilate food waste or any other compostable waste in order to rapidly dry the waste material over
a short time period (typically 24 to 48 hours), either with or without the addition of an inoculum. If you are interested in this type of equipment you
should refer to the resource recovery exemptions for information on lawful use of outputs.