Advanced Organics Processing Technology Grants

Up to $150,000 is available to support projects that will help keep organic waste out of landfill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Overview

Advanced Organics Processing Technology Grants is a $300,000 grant program to support the installation of small scale onsite or precinct scale anaerobic digestion (AD) technology for processing of organic waste in Victoria. The program is primarily targeted towards food waste and is suitable for projects where the project plan is already under development.

The Advanced Organics Processing Technology Grants supports the development of pilot projects that can be easily replicated at other sites and can demonstrate the potential of AD technology as a viable method of organics recovery and processing. Funded projects will be used as demonstration sites and grant recipients will be expected to deliver site tours and take part in the development of case studies to encourage the uptake of AD technology at other sites.

Background

In 2011-12, over 900,000 tonnes of food waste was generated in Victoria of which only three percent was recovered, most of which is recovered by the commercial and industrial sector. Organic waste in landfill has a number of risks that could negatively impact on the community, environment and public health if not managed properly.

The Victorian Government is committed to exploring organics recovery opportunities that will demonstrate investment potential for small scale anaerobic digestion technology.

Funding

Successful applicants will be eligible to claim up to $150,000 (conditional on co-contribution of $1 SV: $2 industry or $1 SV: $1 for local government) for existing opportunities that meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligible Projects

The Advanced Organics Processing Technology Grants will be provided for anaerobic digestion equipment for on-site processing of organic waste that meets the following eligibility criteria:

the site has been selected and is located in Victoria
the technology (on-site small scale organic anaerobic digestion) is already selected
the solution will produce no more than 1 MWe capacity (unless you are seeking EPA approval for a higher electrical capacity and that approval process is well under way)
the heat / energy produced is used for on-site operations
the project is able to be replicated to other sites in Victoria
the grant recipient will participate in the delivery of tours and a case study of the project
the project will be completed within 12 months of the funding agreement being signed
local government process for approval is known and underway (e.g. planning permits)
input materials for the project:
- are sourced from the applicant’s own operations (volumes can be increased if needed from nearby Victorian sources if this makes the operation more viable
- are known, characterised and able to be secured for the life of the equipment
- contain mostly organic material (preferably food waste) that would otherwise be used for a lower value purpose or disposed of in landfill
outputs of the AD technology (in tonnes and megajoules) are known and have an end use / safe disposal option
where required, EPA works approvals and licences have been or are close to being obtained
the project meets EPA’s Energy From Waste Guidelines (1559, December 2013) available at www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/adorganicsgrants
the project meets Sustainability Victoria’s Guide to Best Practice Organics Recovery available at www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/adorganicsgrants

Eligible Applicants

The Advanced Organics Processing Technology Grants is targeted at food manufacturers, local government and other small to medium sized businesses that produce organic waste onsite and have an anaerobic digestion solution well developed but not yet investment ready.

To be eligible for funding applicants must:

have a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
classify as either:
- a small or medium sized business with less than 200 employees
- local government
meet the co-contribution requirement of the grant ($1 SV: $2 industry or $1 SV: $1 for local government)
be prepared to participate in the running of site tours and the development of a detailed case study of the project
have not had any Environment Protection Authority (EPA) or Victorian WorkCover Authority violations in the past five years, or if any violations:
- the violations were not serious
- the violations have been satisfactorily resolved
- the applicant has made appropriate efforts, including implementing management systems, to ensure the violation is not repeated and
- since the violation, the applicant has had a satisfactory level of compliance with environmental and WorkCover Authority legislation
agree to comply with the Terms and Conditions of Sustainability Victoria’s Funding Agreement.

Timing

Applications close 21 March 2016.

Media Release

The Andrews Labor Government is exploring new ways of capturing energy from organic waste by supporting investment in alternative technologies.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lisa Neville today announced $300,000 for innovative projects that will help keep organic waste out of landfill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The funding will support local government and businesses to install small-scale on-site or precinct-scale anaerobic digestion technology for organics recovery and as an alternative energy source.

Anaerobic digestion is a process that breaks down organic waste, such as food and compost, to produce heat and gas which can then be used to produce energy.

The funding aims to help overcome barriers to uptake of these technologies by supporting pilot projects that demonstrate the viability of organics recovery and processing, and which can easily be replicated.

There is a significant opportunity to increase the recovery and reprocessing of food waste in the commercial and industrial sector. In 2011-12, over 280,000 tonnes of food waste was generated by the commercial and industrial sector with only 10 per cent recycled.

It also presents opportunities for economic development with the potential to create jobs and drive investment in Victoria’s waste and resource recovery industry.

Applications close 21 March 2016. For more information on these grants, visitwww.sustainability.vic.gov.au

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