The Department of Defence has committed to halving its food waste sent to landfill by 2030 using solutions identified by Veolia.
Veolia is supporting Defence to meet this National Waste Policy target by developing and implementing an end-to-end food waste reduction strategy. Following a detailed analysis of its food waste across 400 Defence sites nationally, Veolia has now identified a range of recycling, composting and recovery technologies to help Defence to meet its target.
The next phase of the project is now underway with a goal of maximising the diversion of food waste sent to landfill. Using solutions sourced by Veolia, Defence will use a range of recycling, composting and recovery technologies to reach its goal, driving the shift towards more sustainable waste management.
Organic waste, such as vegetable peelings and coffee grounds, is a valuable material that is rich in nutrients. When managed appropriately, food waste can be used as a feedstock for animals or processed with green waste into high quality compost. However, when it ends up in landfills, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas and all its nutrient value is lost.
To ensure this highly valuable material is not wasted, Veolia and Defence have collaborated to trial a range of recovery solutions for the food waste from Defence sites, from composting and worm farms to on-site technology such as digestors and dehydrators.
Tony Roderick, Veolia’s chief operating officer for environmental services, said the team is enjoying the challenge of identifying and sourcing sustainable solutions for a partner as critical as Defence that operates across every state and territory.
“We are working hard to ensure all Defence sites with large messes or catering operations are provided with an appropriate collection system for food waste, no matter the complexity or geographic location,” Tony said, adding the team isn’t stopping there.
“We have already completed a detailed analysis of Defence’s overall waste composition. Armed with this data, Veolia is already working with Defence’s catering providers to help inform purchasing decisions to reduce waste at its source.”
Tony said it is very rewarding to be able to support Defence on its sustainability journey.
“Only through our joint efforts are we able to implement solutions to divert food from landfill, reducing the contribution to climate change and protecting biodiversity.
“That’s the power of collaboration,” he concluded.
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Veolia Group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with nearly 220,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2021, the Veolia Group provided 79 million inhabitants with drinking water and 61 million with sanitation, produced nearly 48 million megawatt hours and recovered 48 million tonnes of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 28,508 billion euros in 2021. www.veolia.com