In this newsletter, you will find important updates from ANZBP, upcoming events, as well as the latest news and publications on biosolids.
Latest News and Updates
Welcome to our newest ANZBP members
ANZBP members consist of representatives from across the biosolids value chain including utilities, consultants, academics and government bodies, working together and committed to the sustainable management of biosolids. We are delighted to welcome Aurecon, DEECA and Pyrocal as the newest members of the ANZBP.
National Biosolids Conference 2025
17 - 18 March 2025 - Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart
The Australian & New Zealand Biosolids Partnership's National Biosolids Conference is making its return to Hobart, Tasmania, in 2025, in collaboration with the Australian Water Association.
Under this year’s theme, Biosolids: Future Possibilities, the conference aims to empower participants to embrace the uncertainties ahead. By shifting the focus from potential obstacles to the vast possibilities within the biosolids sector, presentations will highlight the significant contributions that biosolids can make to the circular economy.
We encourage submissions from the following sub-themes:
- Engagement & Education
- Product Development and Technological Innovation
Queenslanders are invited to have their say about a proposal to amend the threshold values (or levels) for per and polyflouroalkyl substances (PFAS) in regulated waste. The consultation is open to community and industry stakeholders and closes 5pm, Friday 27 September 2024.
Feedback from this consultation will be reviewed and will inform consideration about the proposal to amend the threshold values for PFAS in regulated waste.
How to participate in the consultation:
1. Read the consultation paper and/or the plain language fact sheet for more information about the proposed changes.
Your input can help shape the future of waste management in Queensland. For more information click here.
Hybrid Workshop: Circular Management of Sludge and Biosolids
8 November 2024 | Chania, Greece
This upcoming hybrid workshop on the current topic of sludge and biosolids management in the circular economy era is funded by the Green Fund of Greece and part of the "Management and Valorization of Sludge in Circular Economy Using Green Technologies and Methods" project. For online attendance (with/without abstract presentation) register here until30 September 2024. Click here to find out more about the workshop topics and agenda.
Webinar recording: The carbon footprint of removing PFAS and similar contaminants from Biosolids (Oceania)
This webinar, delivered by Cambi, takes a look at the latest studies on PFAS (particularly in biosolids) and pyrolysis and discusses biochar as a regulated product. It also provides a carbon footprint analysis comparing conventional anaerobic digestion with pyrolysis scenarios to assess the environmental impact of destroying PFAS via these methods. Click here to watch the webinar recording.
ANZBP Fact Sheets on Biosolids & Microplastics and Biosolids & PFAS
Recent research and media stories refer to microplastic contamination of agricultural land through the application of biosolids. The ANZBP Advisory Committee is looking to review and refresh the microplastic factsheets to provide interested parties with information about our current understanding and management of these substances in biosolids.
If you would like to contribute to the review of the factsheets, please send your thoughts or comments to admin@biosolids.com.au for consideration by the ANZBP Advisory Committee.
In collaboration with Pitkin County, Mesa County supports a feasibility study establishing SAF production facilities closer to Western Slope airports. The feasibility study will assess the availability of feedstock, biosolids, beetle kill, and agricultural waste, along with market conditions, production capacity, location suitability, infrastructure, environmental and economic impacts, and regulatory factors.
Boosting biogas with biochar: A 7% increase in methane yield A recent study demonstrates adding biochar to biogas plants can significantly enhance methane (CH₄) yield, with certain types of biochar increasing production by up to 7.93%. The results were published in May 2024, in a peer-reviewed paper by C.Margreiter et al. from the Department of Microbiology at the University of Innsbruck.
Latest Academic Research
Don't forget to take a look at our latest national and international academia round-ups on the ANZBP website.
If someone forwards you this newsletter, please consider signing up directly. If you work in one of our member organisations, contact us to create an individual login for the ANZBP website so that you can access all our research and other member-only resources.