Red meat processing sustainable future is on track

The 2022 results of the Environmental Performance Review (EPR) for the red meat processor sector demonstrated the industry’s increasing level of engagement with sustainability.  

31 processing plants of different sizes took part in this year’s review, representing 60 per cent of total Australian red meat processor throughput. 2022 EPR had the largest ever participation rate since EPR’s commenced in 1998. 

AMPC program manager Matthew Deegan said, “The EPR helps processors build trust with their communities and stakeholders through transparency concerning the environment. It also allows processors to compare themselves against sectorial environmental performance.” 

“The 2022 EPR has been externally impacted by a 16% decline in sectoral throughput since 2020. Such a processing decline (where facilities are unintentionally operating below their capacity), will negatively impact resource efficiency. However, the 2022 EPR results are not dissimilar to 2020, so the sector is showing good resilience as far as their resource efficiency is concerned.”

“AMPC is also investing in a suite of activities across solar PV, refrigeration, wastewater, and biomass that should assist future EPR results”, he said. 

The Australian red meat processor sector’s EPR is now conducted every two years to track the red meat processor sector’s environmental performance across key environmental indicators such as water, wastewater, energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and solid waste to landfill.  

Processing plants that completed the EPR survey will have access to virtual one-on-one benchmarking sessions with Energetics, where they will use the industry calculator to provide emissions, energy, and waste benchmarking. This will help plants develop solutions and recommendations to improve future environmental performance.  

A snapshot of the key results from the EPR are listed below. To view the full report, visit the AMPC website at: https://www.ampc.com.au/research-development/sustainability/2022-environmental-performance-review-for-the-red-meat-processing-industry

Key results 

Water use 

• Water intake varied between sites from 3.8 to 14.9 kL/t HSCW
• Town water was the most important source of water intake (70%), followed by local groundwater (bore water) at 24%, and direct withdrawal from surface water (6%). This is almost identical to results reported in 2020.
• While water intensity has declined by 14.90% since 2010, recycled water only met 12% of water demand, a level that is comparable to previous years
• Water use efficiency targets were reported by 68% of sites, an increase from 60% in 2020
• The use of water submetering was reported by 77% of sites, a large increase from 28% in 2020
  
  

Wastewater 

• On average, wastewater discharge was 7.1 kL/t HSCW (89% of water intake)
• Wastewater was discharged mainly via irrigation (47%) or sewer (35%)
• No untreated wastewater was discharged to the environment
• The average nutrient content of treated wastewater discharged to surface water showed a 72% reduction since 2020
  
  

Energy use 

• On average, total on-site energy use was 3435 MJ/t HSCW, a similar result to 2020 but showing a decrease in energy intensity of 16.40% since 2010
• Electricity from grid and natural gas remained the largest sources of energy used. However, an increase in the use of biomass and biogas was apparent compared to 2020
• Since the 2020 EPR, bioenergy has overtaken on-site coal use as the sectors third largest source of energy, and the sector’s solar PV adoption pipeline has increased by 150%
• Energy use efficiency targets were reported by 68% of sites, an increase from 36% in 2020
  
  

Greenhouse gas emissions

• On average, GHG emissions were 447 kg CO2e/ t HSCW
• GHG emissions intensity for beef cattle processing was higher than in 2020. The reason likely relates to inefficiencies associated with beef cattle processors generally operating at substantial under capacity in 2021/2022
• On average, electricity from the grid made the greatest contribution to GHG emissions
• GHG emission reduction targets were reported by 52% of sites, an increase from 20% in 2020. This suggest that GHG emissions reduction is an increasingly important focal area for improvement across the red meat processing industry.
• Long term emissions intensity trend since 2010 is down by 19.30%
  
  

Waste to landfill 

• Most waste generated by red meat processors is in-organic, 94% of solid wastes to landfill include wastes such as plastic and cardboard
• On average, waste sent to landfill was 17.3 kg/t HSCW, with long term solid waste to landfill intensity up since 2010 by 53%
• It’s possible the increase in solid waste to landfill was due to more complete record keeping practices aligned with a heightened awareness of sustainability, as well as increased compliance reporting for used packaging materials
• Approximately 30% of sites had a solid waste reduction target. These sites sent less waste to landfill per t HSCW than sites without a target, suggesting a benefit from target setting.
  
  

AMPC investments and initiatives to address above

• Water – 9 water recycling pilot projects to increase confidence and capability around water recycling adoption
• Wastewater – bio resource recovery centres of excellence to demonstrate integrated wastewater treatment with more efficient water, energy, and nutrient recovery
• Energy – 3 biomass fuel assessment and testing pilots to increase confidence and capability around bioenergy adoption using circular economy principles
• Emissions – 150% increase in solar PV adoption pipeline stemming from low-cost assessment and design project
• Waste – diverting packaging and plastic from landfill project