Hepburn Shire partners with Gaia for innovative FOGO waste processing

Aug 5, 2024 | Composter, FOGO

Gaia EnviroTech has built on the successful trials of their In-Vessel Rapid Composting Systems at Creswick in Hepburn Shire Council and has secured the tender for the commercial operation of Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) processing for the entire district.

This new commercial agreement will now see Gaia installing a new stand-alone 2-cell Rapid Composter system at the Creswick Transfer Station as part of their ongoing commitment to the principles of the circular economy.

Since 2021, Gaia EnviroTech has been working closely with Hepburn Shire Council, initially deploying a prototype of their innovative In-Vessel Rapid Composting Systems for trial purposes. Through these collaborative efforts, Gaia fine-tuned the system, enhancing its efficiency and ensuring top-notch product quality that would be used with local farmers and Landcare groups.

The trial unit proved its value by achieving pasteurisation, a crucial step in eliminating pathogens and preparing compost for soil rejuvenation, while Hepburn Shire Council minimised the contamination in the end-product. Building on this success, Hepburn Shire Council has selected Gaia as the preferred technology for addressing their FOGO waste challenges across the community.

Under the new agreement, Gaia will oversee the operation and maintenance of the composting systems while utilising remote monitoring to ensure optimal process control for pasteurisation, enrichment and end-product quality. The in-vessel technology deployed by Gaia accelerates the composting process, yielding nutrient-rich compost from organic waste both faster and more consistently than traditional methods.

Another feature of this technology is that the material is processed “in-vessel” which minimises odours on site by being in a closed system rather than being windrowed on open ground. Also, each Gaia Rapid Composter is equipped with a pollution abatement control system to manage any fugitive emissions.

Designed for ease of use, the system can manage different organic feedstocks and has been tailored for clients with FOGO and larger green waste streams, such as park, powerlines and roadside pruning. By reliably processing FOGO waste, Gaia’s system not only mitigates environmental impact but also produces high-quality compost beneficial for community use.

This great video has been created by Hepburn Shire Council in collaboration with Gaia and shows what happens to the organics once they are collected from the kerbside. It is a partnership that has yielded a local solution that delivers outcomes that everyone can benefit from in Hepburn Shire.

To learn more about how Gaia EnviroTech’s innovative solutions are transforming organic waste management and to see the positive impact on your community contact us today!

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