Dunmore Resource Recovery Facility - Aggregated Source Separated Organics Diversion projects

The Dunmore Resource Recovery Facility - Aggregated Source Separated Organics Diversion project is a waste diversion initiative located at the Dunmore Recycling & Waste Disposal Depot, approximately 4km south of Shellharbour on the New South Wales South Coast. Registered in April 2016, the project is centered around the council's waste management facility which serves the Shellharbour Local Government Area. The surrounding region is a mix of peri-urban development, coastal lowlands, and historical extraction industries, specifically sand mining and dredging operations which have occurred adjacent to the site.

This project operates under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative, Source Separated Organic Waste) Methodology Determination 2016. This methodology credits the reduction of methane emissions achieving by diverting organic material, such as food and garden waste, away from landfills. Instead of decomposing anaerobically in a landfill and releasing methane, the waste is separated at the point of generation (typically via "FOGO" bins) and processed using eligible treatment technologies. In this specific project, the waste is treated using an enclosed composting facility.

The Illawarra region, where Dunmore is situated, is characterized by a temperate coastal climate with generally high rainfall. The local soil composition is heavily influenced by the area's geological history, featuring significant sandy alluvial deposits near Rocklow Creek, evidenced by the long-standing sand dredging operations in the immediate vicinity, as well as volcanic latite soils common to the Kiama Shellharbour area.

The project coincides with Shellharbour City Council's introduction of Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) collection services in 2016. The on-site enclosed composting facility, operated by Re.Grow, has a processing capacity of approximately 26,000 tonnes per annum and produces nutrient-rich compost for reuse. The facility's design and operational success were recognized when it became a finalist in the 2019 Operational Excellence Awards. Mike Ritchie and Associates Pty Ltd is listed as a participant, consistent with their industry role in assisting councils with carbon project development.