A big tick goes to the South Australian business, Mushroom Exchange, for conducting its compositing activities in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner.
Prior to this EPA-licensed business taking over operations at Monarto, the EPA had previously received a number of complaints for odour at the site, due to the nature of its composting activities.
EPA Chief Executive Tony Circelli who recently visited the site said that the company’s change of ownership has resulted in no complaints about the impacts of its production activities.
“This is a great outcome that should be congratulated,” Mr Circelli said.
“It is a classic case of an organisation taking its environmental responsibilities seriously and doing a great job in executing them.”
Mushroom Exchange now stockpiles long lines of compost on concrete flooring which is equipped with a temperature-controlled aeration system.
Any liquid that drains from the windrow is diverted and collected in a purpose built wastewater lagoon.
The liquid is aerated and treated so it can be reused to moisten straw bales prior to mixing with raw material for further compost production.
In addition, the site also features a purpose-built stormwater lagoon, where stormwater is collected and used to moisten feedstock.
The facility boasts minimum impacts from odour, dust and noise, due to its operations being conducted in an enclosed undercover facility.
Mushroom Exchange is the largest producer, packer and marketer of fresh mushrooms in the Southern Hemisphere.
