Project Description
“This project aimed to 1) establish a baseline for the quantity, size, and identity of microplastics in recycled organics outputs derived from feedstocks containing FO, GO, and FOGO. 2) Assess risk of microplastics found in recycled organics derived from feedstocks containing FO, GO and FOGO against human health, ecological health, and environment data, where this data exists.
And 3) analyse data and any available meta data to make inferences about sources of microplastics where possible, to inform decisions about managing any identified risks.”
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
Victorian government in partnership with Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA), Sustainability Victoria (SV), and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning are the main sectors involved in this project. They will benefit as this project will directly transfer academic research into practical outcomes for the industry to inform regulators about potential environmental, human and ecological risks of microplastics in processed organics derived from food and garden organics .
Outcomes to Date
The laboratory processing and analysis of microplastics in compost samples collected form Victoria is underway and no outcome to date has been achieved.
Project Significance
Under the Victorian Government’s circular economy plan, there are multiple drivers to increase diversion of organic waste, especially FOGO and GO from landfill. As a result, there will be an increase in the volumes of these organic waste streams directed to organics processors – mostly composters. In response to the increase in GO and FOGO wastes being diverted to organic processors, the project seeks to better understand potential human health and environmental risks and benefits of processed organics products derived from feedstocks containing FO, GO, or FOGO, as these products are typically applied to land.