Turning scraps into strategy: Gippsland cooks up a compost comeback

The Gippsland region is leading the way in Victoria in achieving maximum value from organic waste processing. Gippsland Regional Organics, a waste treatment and composting facility located at Dutson Downs, has recently undergone a major expansion, increasing its capacity to convert organic waste into compost from 180,000 to up to 250,000 tonnes per year.   

As one of Victoria’s largest organic waste recycling facilities, Gippsland Regional Organics employs 23 people from across the region, including Latrobe. The expansion created 33 new jobs during the construction phase, and up to 5 new jobs ongoing. The facility is owned and operated by Gippsland Water.    

The project is also supporting innovation through the exploration of a ‘virtual grid’ – an initiative that could see renewable energy generated on site used to off-set regional electricity or natural gas demand, including in Latrobe.   

The $12.6 million expansion was supported by co-investment from the Victorian Government’s Circular Economy Transformation Fund ($2.394 million) and the Australian Government’s Food Waste for Healthy Soils Fund ($2.394 million).  

Gippsland Regional Organics sources organic material from its own wastewater treatment facilities and from external customers, including food waste, biosolids, and kerbside green waste. These materials are transformed on site into certified Australian-standard compost, which is available for purchase – supporting a circular economy that minimises waste and maximises sustainability and efficiency.   

Each year, organic waste in Australian landfills generates about 13 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. This equates to approximately 2.5% of Australia’s total annual emission.  

The expansion will allow the facility to recycle more organic materials while boosting its compost manufacturing capabilities. With a 70,000-ton increase in organic waste processing, Gippsland is leading the way not only in waste processing but also in diverting organic materials away from landfill and reducing emissions.   

From landfill to landmark, Gippsland is proving that when waste is well-managed, it’s not the end of the line, rather the start of a greener, richer cycle.