From waste to value
The project creates a long-term carbon sink by transforming biomass waste from construction, crop residues, plantation forestry, food, and wood processing into biochar. It is estimated that only in Australia there are over 20 million tonnes of accessible crop and woody wastes which are burned or landfilled every year, with just a fraction of that being recycled. Transforming organic waste into a valuable horticulture and agriculture product prevents releasing large amounts of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. However, only carbon net removals and storage of emissions are accounted for, leaving reduced and avoided emissions outside of the scope of the carbon calculations.
Biochar is produced through the process of pyrolysis, which involves burning organic waste at high temperature without oxygen. Each tonne of biochar is over 80% pure carbon and removes 2.88 tonnes of CO2. The solid structure of biochar ensures that carbon removals have a permanence of several hundred years. In addition, the biochar production process generates renewable energy which is used for heating, cooling and electricity.
Circular is sustainable
The biochar production technology was developed as a circular economy system that utilises low value organic materials. The first commercial biochar production module, ECHO2, converts recycled wood, which would otherwise be burned or landfilled, into biochar used in the composting products of a local business. The circular approach creates local jobs, sustainable air, soil and water ecosystems, while creating long-term carbon sinks and enabling new markets and economic opportunities. Local farmers and wine growers buy the composted biochar in order to increase the drought tolerance and fertility of soils and decrease the need for synthetic fertilisers.
Income from carbon credit revenues allows Rainbow Bee Eater’s next biochar production module to be commissioned and new biochar and syngas commercial products to be developed, accelerating the pace of carbon removals and contributing to sustainable growth.
Rainbow Bee Eater is one of the projects from which Compensate buys emissions reduction units from the Puro marketplace. The project has been in Compensate’s project portfolio since November 2020.
Photo credit: Rainbow Bee Eater
The circular approach creates not only long-term carbon sinks but also local jobs, sustainable ecosystems, and new markets and economic opportunities.