A new water and waste processing centre in western Sydney will have the potential to divert as much as 30,000 tonnes of organic waste from landfill each year by 2030.

At the same time, it could help to power 120,000 homes through the capture and use of biogas generated from food scraps, wastewater, fats, oils and grease diverted from landfill.

The Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre, the first stage of which is due to come online in the Western Parkland City precinct in 2025, will also be Sydney Water’s largest investment in water resilience in a decade.

“Every $1 million spent turning food waste into energy generates $2.67 million worth of value,” said Roch Cheroux, Managing Director of Sydney Water.

“This has the potential to activate a circular economy ecosystem in the Western Parkland City, acting as a hub and catalyst for circular management of water, energy and other resources.

“We can generate enough renewable electricity through biogas power to reduce annual emissions by 70,000 tonnes, as well as promote skills and create jobs in the state’s largest growth area.”

The Centre will have the potential to convert waste matter into energy using a blend of current and new technologies… possibly sending electricity back into the grid, while producing ‘green energy’ gas.

More than 80% of Australia’s food waste currently goes to landfill, where it decomposes and releases methane.

Waste industry forum

The Centre was a topic of discussion at a forum, Unlocking the value of food waste in Western Sydney, hosted last week by the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue.

“The opportunities to drive innovation, fuel new industries and deliver sustainable environmental and economic outcomes aren’t exclusive to Western Sydney,” said Adam Leto, Executive Director of the Dialogue.

“But if we get it right here, the impact can be as profound as anywhere in the world.”

“The fact is, a transition to a circular economy is not a nice-to-have, it’s a must have,” added Lisa McLean, Managing Director of Circular Australia.

“The successful transition to a circular economy requires the integration of water, energy, productive industry and waste management — to go beyond traditional silos to develop innovative partnerships that will keep resources in the economy while designing out waste.

“This project will be part of a circular economy wave that can become a trillion-dollar industry for Australia.”