- WA Government invests $320,000 to help business explore innovative waste solutions
- Food waste costs the Australian economy about $36.6 billion each year
- Reducing the cost of doing business means consumers may also benefit from more affordable products
The Cook Government is helping Western Australian food and beverage businesses to explore opportunities to transform and reduce food waste.
The State's $320,000 commitment to the Post Harvest Food Waste Transformation project will assist small to medium-sized businesses quantify their food waste and investigate value add opportunities to cut costs, boost income and reduce landfill.
The research will also identify waste hotspots within the WA food and beverage manufacturing sector. By reducing the cost of doing business consumers may also benefit from more affordable products.
Three businesses have already signed up to map their waste streams to identify and quantify new product development options, with further businesses expected to join in coming months.
Bassendean-based Fresh Frontier is a ready-made meal company, which is investigating how to extend existing product lines and the possibility of developing new products using what would usually be thrown away.
Carnarvon-based Sweeter Banana Co-Operative and Avena Mills in the Wheatbelt are also on board and mapping their waste streams.
The project is a collaboration between the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre and its WA delivery partner Curtin University. End Food Waste Cooperative has also committed $370,000 to the project.
The WA Government recently hosted the Turning the Dial flagship sustainability event in Perth, bringing together leading innovators in food waste transformation and sustainable packaging to examine solutions for food and beverage manufacturers and build business resilience.
The event provided insights into the latest research on food waste transformation, how Australia is tracking towards 2030 food waste targets, as well as practical solutions to boost environmental, social and governance credentials and enhance the circular economy.
For more information about the Post Harvest Food Waste Transformation project, visit the DPIRD agriculture and food website: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/foodindustryinnovation.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"With food waste costing the Australian economy about $36.6 billion each year, our Government is working alongside local businesses to develop innovative solutions that reduce waste, boost business and grow this important sector.
"Our Government is helping small to medium-sized businesses to remain internationally competitive by supporting them to improve environmental, social and governance credentials, which are an essential component of modern business operations.
"I look forward to seeing the innovative solutions to come from the Post Harvest Food Waste Transformation project and how they benefit local businesses."
