Yarrabilba Circular Food Economy

The Challenge

Designing sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities for a growing population is a challenge faced across the world. The origins of the food we eat are increasingly obscure and people in urban centres are often detached from food production. How can communities be designed to increase food security, minimise waste, build knowledge and skills, drive employment and enhance the natural environment? How can communities actively participate in the food economy of their region?

The Solution

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By applying circular economy principles, supported by digital technologies such as sensors, communities can work together to transform their food system. The team of  researchers  at QUT and Lendlease created a framework and “how to guide” to help transform local food  systems. This involves collecting kitchen waste, making compost and growing food, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The design uses recycled and waste materials.  

Outcomes

This project developed a community app to track food waste and offer incentives. Sensors were made from e-waste and monitored the quality of the compost via methane readings that push data into the app. Alerts tell the community when the system needs attention such as such as watering the grow beds, or adding materials  to the compost

These new technologies and research outcomes will be embedded into Lendlease’s development plans, which will see the population of Yarrabilba grow to 45,000 by 2041.

Impacts

• New, scalable model for urban agriculture that can be applied in other Australian towns and cities
• Prototype digital community composting system with in-built sensors, dashboard and incentive system
• Smartphone-enabled community credit/bartering system where people can exchange goods and services related to food
• Community engagement program to build local skills and knowledge

More information:

Visit QUT's website for access to knowledge, tools and resources to start building your own zero-waste circular food economy for communities, schools and other institutions.

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