Our Story

Compost Connect helps Australians and New Zealanders access composting services for their compostable food packaging and food waste.

Our reason for being

At Compost Connect, we recognise reducing food waste as one of the most important strategies to combat global warming and the opportunity in diverting organic waste from landfill. Food production and waste account for 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions and food waste breaking down in landfill emits methane, a greenhouse gas that is 26 times more harmful than CO2. Furthermore, less than 8% of the 1,000,000 tonnes of organic waste generated by the foodservice and hospitality sector is recycled. Without a national composting infrastructure in Australia and New Zealand, it was clear that we needed a local solution for the food waste recycling crisis.

By connecting packaging and food service businesses with the organic waste industry, Compost Connect is helping to grow access to organic recycling and instigate widespread change. We can make a global impact, all by making changes at the local level.

Our mission is simple:

Divert food waste from landfill

Lift recycling rates

Make a positive difference to the environment

Waste less, compost more

Organic waste recycling, such as industrial composting, is a huge opportunity to divert and recover organic waste from landfill – creating a valuable resource, compost, instead of leaving it to waste.

Organic waste includes garden waste, food scraps and some plant-based products like compostable packaging. Organic waste recycling is part of the circular economy which is based on the principles of “designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems.” By recovering and composting this waste, we are effectively closing the loop and able to reinsert the nutrients back into the cycle.

By connecting businesses that produce food waste with the organic waste industry, Compost Connect is building the links and commercial partnerships to build a truly circular economy.

Circular solutions

Compostable packaging is the ideal solution for the foodservice industry where food residues impact packaging’s recyclability in curbside recycling. Compostable packaging is a proven, cost-effective solution that enables the recovery and recycling of food and packaging waste generated by the foodservice industry, and leads to a cleaner recycling stream for conventional recyclable materials.

The challenge is building the necessary infrastructure and promoting the partnerships that will form the foundation of this industry. Only through the collaboration of industry and consumers can we transform compostable materials from a niche initiative to a core pillar of a circular and sustainable economy.