Optimising Organic Waste and Cultivating Circularity for Australian Agriculture

Report: Optimising Circularity in Australian Agriculture: Overcoming systemic roadblocks to scale up the circular economy

Optimising Organic Waste and Cultivating Circular Economy Toolkit

Australian Agriculture Circular Economy (AACE) Framework

Technical report 1: Optimising circularity in Australian agriculture: Mapping organic residues availability for circular economy opportunities

Technical report 2: Farmer and rural businesses readiness for change: A survey of views on circular economy activities

Technical report 3: Key regulatory barriers and challenges: The circular economy of organic residues and by-products in Australian agriculture

Technical report 4: Financial Viability of Agricultural Anaerobic Digestion Systems: Analysis of on-farm and circular economy hub models

Introduction to Optimising Organic Waste and Cultivating Circularity for Australian Agriculture

Circular economy practices are already part of Australian agriculture but scaling them takes collaboration. This video shows how partnerships across the value chain are turning waste into value.

Limestone Coast

This video showcases the region’s natural features from limestone caves and coastal environments to fertile soils—and highlights how these elements support productive farming systems. It also explores the people and industries that shape the region, including livestock, forestry and premium food and wine production.

By linking environment, agriculture and community, the Limestone Coast demonstrates how working with the land supports both productivity and long-term sustainability.

Rita's Farm

At Rita’s Farm in Wallacia, NSW, compost is at the heart of a simple but powerful circular system. By turning vegetable waste back into compost, the farm reduces costs, cuts waste and improves soil health without relying on synthetic fertilisers.

The on-farm compost supports rich soil biology, helping produce healthier crops while maintaining long-term productivity. With the right system in place, composting becomes a practical, low-cost solution that closes the loop from paddock to plate and back again.

Ocean2Earth

This video explores how Ocean to Earth is transforming waste from the timber and fishing industries into a natural microbial compost for agriculture.

By diverting organic waste from landfill, the process reduces disposal costs, returns valuable nutrients to the soil and supports more sustainable farming systems. Farmers using the product are seeing healthier soils, reduced reliance on synthetic fertilisers and improved on-farm outcomes.

REGYP

This video explores how REGYP’s recycled gypsum is giving farmers a cost-effective alternative to natural gypsum.

Used as both a soil conditioner and sulphur fertiliser, it helps break up soil, making crops like potatoes easier to harvest. Farmers are seeing improved productivity, lower freight costs and more consistent product quality.

By recycling plasterboard from construction, REGYP is also reducing landfill waste and offering a lower-emissions alternative to mined gypsum—creating benefits for both agriculture and the environment.

Optimising Organics and Cultivating Circularity for Australian Agriculture Launch