Digital tool for driving circular economy outcomes in the Australian red meat industry

Abstract

This study presents the development of a novel digital tool aimed at facilitating the preliminary sizing and economical evaluation of integrated resource management facilities for wastewater treatment in red meat processing plants. The tool is designed to transform conventional wastewater treatment facilities in these plants into resource recovery plants, with a strong emphasis on enhancing environmental compliance and reducing the overall carbon footprint. Key objectives include the reduction of nutrient emissions, wastewater recycling, waste minimisation, and biogas energy production. The framework for developing this digital tool incorporates considerations of scale, the urgency of wastewater issues outlined by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for Australian red meat processors, and adaptability for plants of varying sizes. By providing decision support for wastewater treatment and waste management, this model aims to assist the red meat processing industry in aligning with net-zero goals through resource recovery and the adoption of a circular economy.