Dehydration in High-Rise Residential Buildings: What We've Learned from the City of Melbourne Pilot

‍Pilot Program Overview

During the pilot program, enrich360 technology was introduced to five out of six participating residential buildings. The core objective was to reduce food waste and promote sustainability by implementing card-access dehydrators for food recycling. The results were promising:

Pilot Scope:

- 5 apartment buildings

- 1382 apartments 

Pilot Period:

12 months (Jan 2023 - Dec 2023)

Pilot Diversion:

- Over 20,000kgs of food waste diverted in 12 months

- Annual average diversion per participating apartment: 92kgs 

What Worked

Several key factors contributed to the success of the enrich360 technology implementation:

- Innovative Technology: The use of card-access dehydrators allowed residents to dispose of food waste at their convenience, eliminating the need for rigid schedules and facilitating user-friendly operation.

- Automatic Cycle Times: Programmable dehydrators operated automatically, minimising the need for manual intervention and reducing operational overhead.

- Economic Viability: The scalability of the solution proved highly economical for large-scale buildings, making it a cost-effective choice for comprehensive food waste management.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Despite its successes, the pilot program also highlighted areas for improvement:

- Cost-Efficiency Challenges: In smaller residential buildings, the per-apartment cost of implementing commercial size dehydrators was somewhat higher than those with more apartments.

- Placement and Convenience: Centralised placement of dehydrators meant that residents had to visit a shared location within (or outside of) the building to utilise the service, reducing convenience and accessibility for some.

- Engagement: As with all new technology, a large part of implementation is education and supporting engagement. The pilot saw incredible interest and uptake in the earlier stages of the pilot. After 3 months, a decrease in participation was noted, which was largely attributed to limited education and ongoing engagement with residents.  There were certainly buildings with higher engagement than others, especially in buildings where a passionate pilot champion kept the momentum going.

Future Opportunities

Looking ahead, advancements in residential technology have paved the way for exciting new developments in our approach to residential sustainability. In upcoming residential pilots, the introduction of benchtop units, like the Eco 5, marks a transformative shift towards in-apartment solutions for food waste management. 

This innovation addresses both the practicality and cost-efficiency challenges. By placing a benchtop dehydrator in each apartment, we eliminate the need for residents to visit a centralised location, enhancing convenience and accessibility. Allocating one unit per apartment improves cost-efficiency, particularly for smaller residential buildings.

Moreover, the adoption of benchtop dehydrators cultivates a sense of personal responsibility and community impact. Each resident takes ownership of creating a resource from their food waste which fosters community engagement. Direct involvement in the recycling process empowers residents to see firsthand the positive environmental impact of their actions, reinforcing a culture of sustainability.

In conclusion, the City of Melbourne pilot from a technology provider POV has proven to be a successful option for food waste diversion in high-rise settings. By effectively managing food waste at its source, we not only reduce the community’s environmental footprint but also foster a sense of community responsibility and engagement. 

As we look ahead, these learnings will guide us in refining and expanding our efforts to create food waste diversion solutions for all residents. With innovation and technology as the backbone, and continually improving education and connection, there is no reason for any food waste to end up in landfill.