Going for compost gold turns Coast into new sustainability supplier

Innovative Gold Coast businesses are strengthening the city’s position as a key player in the rapidly growing organics recycling and soil fertility industry.

Seed the Ground is a not-for-profit organisation that collects and composts two tonnes of spent coffee grinds from local cafes. Photo: @amydeboer_photography on Instagram

Joining the Gold Coast’s traditional reputation built on the tourism attributes of sun, sand and surf, is the healthy soils push, which is increasing the capacity and economic contribution of organics recycling operations in South East Queensland.

Gold Coast-based Wormtec is at the forefront of the composting movement, supplying organic microbial fertiliser development to support healthy soil across Australia and worldwide.

“It’s getting bigger every week,” Wormtec owner and founder Greg Plevey said.

“We’re currently pushed about as far as we can be pushed.”

Having developed innovative technology to extract soil microbes from high-grade worm castings and composts, Plevey said the niche product was in high demand across agricultural sectors.

“It’s real science and real innovation that goes back to how nature intended your soil to be,” he said.