Biosolids production in Australia 2010 – 2021
The total biosolids production of Australia identified in the ANZBP commissioned 2021 survey was about 349,000 tonnes per year of dry solids (also called dry tonnes). This compares to 300,000 tonnes in 2010, 330,000 tonnes in 2013, 310,000 in 2015, 327,000 in 2017 and 371,000 in 2019.
The average solids content of dewatered biosolids in the 2021 survey was around 25% (weighted average). Therefore, the total 2021 production in Australia equates to around 1.4 million tonnes of biosolids in dewatered form (also called wet tonnes).
Figure 1: Biosolids total production in Australia from 2010 to 2021
Biosolids end-use in Australia – 2021
In Australia, about 83% of biosolids were beneficially used in 2021, down from 91% in 2019 and 94% in 2017. This change is due to the increase stockpiling of biosolids, particularly in Victoria (13% stockpiled in 2021 compared with 5% in 2019).
Figure 2: Biosolids end-use (dry mass basis), Australia from 2010 to 2021
* Other includes Forestry
** Landscaping changed from landscaping (compost) this year
Biosolids production in New Zealand 2013 – 2021
The total biosolids production of New Zealand identified in the 2021 survey is approximately 66,000 tonnes per year of dry biosolids, which is the same as what was produced in 2019. Total production remains lower than that recorded in the 2017 survey (64,000 tonnes) and 2015 survey (77,000 tonnes). The solids content of the dewatered biosolids ranges from approximately 3% to 94%, with an average of 30.5%. Approximately 363,000 tonnes of the dewatered biosolids are produced per year, comparable to the 350,000 tonnes produced in 2019.
Figure 3: Biosolids total production in New Zealand from 2013 to 2021
Biosolids end-use in New Zealand – 2021
The total mass percentage of biosolids sent to landfill was 33% in 2021 (down from 38% in 2019).
Figure 4: Biosolids end-use in New Zealand (Mass Basis)
ANZBP members can review these statistics on a state by state level and explore the other insights gained in this and previous surveys here.