Diverting organic waste away from landfill

ReWaste is an award-winning solution to the problem of organic waste polluting our environment. Established by Yarra Valley Water, the facility processes a broad range of food waste, turning it into renewable energy to power vital sanitation services.

This diverts thousands of tons of waste away from landfill and creates 8,600,000 kWh in renewable energy every year.

The facility, located at Wollert in Melbourne’s north, became fully operational in 2017. It is a first for Victoria, and a first for the water industry in Australia.

ReWaste benefits businesses, communities and our planet.


Relying less on conventional energy sources

ReWaste contributes to collective efforts to reduce the impact of energy production, particularly fossil fuel burning, on the environment.

Additionally, it gives Yarra Valley Water a level of energy security as costs of water and energy production rise. Reduced reliance on conventional energy sources keeps costs down, in turn relieving pressure on customer bills.

Victoria produces more than two million tons of organic waste annually. Reusing some of this waste to generate energy will divert it away from landfill towards a useful purpose, according to the environmental principles of reducing, re-using and recycling. It will also extend the lifetime of existing landfill sites.

 

Reducing Victoria’s
carbon emissions

ReWaste was established by Yarra Valley Water to reduce the water utility’s reliance on coal powered energy and its impacts of increasing costs of providing water and sanitation services to our customers. In turn Yarra Valley Water is also able to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. It diverts organic waste away from landfill towards a useful purpose – generating renewable energy. That energy powers a nearby sewage treatment plant.

At full capacity, ReWaste generates 25% of Yarra Valley Water’s annual electricity demand. Excess energy – usually around 70% of what is generated – is exported to the electricity grid. This helps to reduce Victoria’s carbon emissions.

Visit Yarra Valley Water’s website for more information on its commitment to sustainable development.

Visit Yarra Valley Water

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An award-winning solution

Banksia Sustainability Awards Logo
Winner: Banksia Award for Leadership in the Circular Economy. The Banksia Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation working to recognise excellence in sustainability. Our facility won this award for its leading contribution to the concept of a circular economy – a regenerative system, which reduces waste and emissions through innovative design and recycling.

Australian Organics Recycling Award (AORA) Logo
Winner: Australian Organics Recycling Award (AORA). AORA works on behalf of its members to raise awareness of the benefits of recycling organic resources. ReWaste won this award as an outstanding corporate initiative in collection, processing and marketing.

Shared Value Project Logo
Highly Commended: Shared Value Awards. The Shared Value Awards recognise policies and practices that enhance the competitiveness of companies while improving social and environmental conditions in the regions where they operate. We were highly commended as a contribution by an organisation or collaboration.

Premier's Sustainability Awards Logo
Finalist: Premier’s Sustainability Awards. This award, presented by Sustainability Victoria, the Victorian Government and the Premier of Victoria, recognises and rewards Victorians who are leading the way in sustainable innovation and practices across all sectors within Victoria. We were recognised for our contribution to sustainability.