Birth of the Environmental Movement
“To see the Earth as it truly is, small and blue and beautiful in that eternal silence where it floats, is to see ourselves as riders on the Earth together, brothers on that bright loveliness in the eternal cold – brothers who know now that they are truly brothers.” – Archibald Macleish 1968 (Gore 2006)
In 1968, the photo “Earth Rise” was taken – the first photo of the Earth ever taken from space. It was taken by astronaut Bill Anders just after Apollo 11 touched down on the surface of the Moon. Earth Rise flooded the public consciousness – a reminder that all mankind were connected to the planet. The resulting paradigm shift moved humanity to a perspective of preservation and stewardship – it was now imperative that the Earth be protected. Within 2 years, the first environmental movements were born.
Growth of Food Waste Reduction
Food waste is a prime contributor to carbon emissions. As a result, reducing the amount of food sent to landfill has been recognised as a key intervention point in slowing global warming. Numerous government and not-for-profit organisations have formed to aid the reduction of waste. Some utilise websites, blogs and social media platforms to spread awareness and facilitate networking between stakeholders. Empowered by the interconnectedness of the internet, food waste webpages are highly accessible, visually dynamic and fast moving; allowing the message of food waste reduction to quickly captivate and mobilise its viewers. Many other organisations have developed sophisticated composting technologies to provide a practical solution to food waste at scale, including machines that dehydrate, compost, and convert waste into usable resources.
C-Wise
In Western Australia, a company called C-Wise developed a proprietary composting technology called the Mobile Aerated Floor (MAF). This technology pumps fresh air through pipes into a concrete base covered with compost. The air activates bacteria and microorganisms in the waste, resulting in an increase in temperature up to 80 degrees (Co). Waste that has spent time in an MAF is converted into a composted product that can be used for horticulture, agriculture and viticulture. This material has been used in the Manjimup Shire Council to upgrade a Timber Heritage Park and local council roundabouts.
C-Wise have been supplying equipment, training and expertise to farms, communities and industry ever since they were established in 1996 as the business partnership “Custom Composts”.
They have quite an unconventional view on waste, show in their website statements saying:
“We recycle wastes including manures, timber mill wastes, restaurant cooking oils, engine coolant, fuel and even paint. Anything that is based around carbon could potentially be recycled by composting. We open ourselves to the possibility that there is really no such thing as organic wastes, just components in an industrial ecosystem where organic carbon cycles around and around.” (C-Wise 2014)
Their website can be found here: http://www.cwise.com.au/news/maf-system/62-organic-waste-recycling.html
ecoguardians
Ecoguardians are an environmental sustainability company in Victoria that offer a whole suite of products and services relating to organic waste. Like the CLO-300’s developed by Closed Loop, ecoguardians have developed a line of on-site waste processors that produce two reusable resources – biomass and water. They operate by heating and shredding waste, then dehydrating and re-condensing the collected moisture into water for irrigation or grey-water applications. Their machines’ capacities range from 30kg – 100 tonnes per day and are capable of reducing the volume of biomass to 10% of its original size. Greenhouse gas reductions of 90% are achieved, along with 0 leachate created.
Ecoguardians’ vision is:
“To provide economic yet sustainable solutions to a range of problems that today’s businesses face with their environmental obligations. The environment should not be treated as a dumping ground.” (ecoguardians 2013)
Their website can be found here: http://www.ecoguardians.com.au/products/valpak
Accessibility
These companies can be found by running a Google Search for “Companies Managing Organic Waste”. They can be found on the first results page, or indirectly by accessing the Environmental XPRT website (also on the first page). This website is a global database for publicly registered companies working within the Environmental Industry. The ability to locate and contact organic waste management companies means that individuals, communities and whole cities can access waste management services and change their environmental impact, contributing to a greener, healthier future.
References:
C-Wise 2014, About C-Wise, viewed 13 June 2017, <http://www.cwise.com.au/news/maf-system/62-organic-waste-recycling.html>.
Ecoguardians 2013, Gaia Recycle, viewed 13 June 2017, < http://www.ecoguardians.com.au/products/gaia-recycle>.
Gore, A. 2006, An Inconvenient Truth – The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It, Rodale, New York.
Images:
C-Wise 2014, MAF in operation, C-Wise website, viewed 13 June 2017, <http://www.cwise.com.au/wastesolutions/maf/maf-benefits.html>.
ecoguardians 2013, Gaia Recycler, ecoguardians website, viewed 13 June 2017, <http://www.ecoguardians.com.au/products/gaia-recycle>.
Wealth From Waste 
Timo, it was really engaging to have highlighted the first environmental movement. I like how you made the link between the first time we were able to see Earth and our first movements to change our lifestyle to sustain it.
Our perception to waste, even organic waste, differs so much from person to person. For C-wise to have such a broad acceptance of waste really puts a spin on my understanding of ‘recycling’ and ‘composting’.
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