While some details may have changed since this case study
was undertaken, the principles and the positive outcomes, both
financial and environmental, remain the same and are transferable
to any business.
 LF
Jeffries Nominees Pty Ltd
Company profile
Jeffries (previously known as Jeffries Garden Soils) produces
and markets a variety of horticultural and landscaping products.
Jeffries produces quality certified mulch, compost, soils and
potting mixes primarily using green organics collected from kerbside
recycling and council transfer stations. The Jeffries business
is a fourth generation South Australian company.
Manufacturing processes
Jeffries receives kerbside green organic material on their production
site at Wingfield. Plastic and general refuse contamination is
removed via both purpose built machinery and manually. The “green
organics” are passed through a grinder before liquid from
wet organic pits is added. This material is then used to form
windrows – the basis for open composting. Water is added
to gain optimum moisture content and the windrows are turned to
maintain the required and optimal temperature range. These parameters
are monitored for 3 months until the windrows are ready for screening.
Once screened, the finished compost is sold or used in soil mixes.
Due to increased demand, Jeffries has purchased a larger site
on the northern Adelaide Plains, where the manufacturing operations
will be relocated. The Cormack Road site at Wingfield will be
used for retail and distribution purposes.
 Link
to Yalumba
Jeffries supply a variety of compost, mulch and potting mixes
(for propagation of new vines) to many vineyards throughout South
Australia. Jeffries operates a satellite operation in the Barossa
Valley in partnership with Kuchel Contractors. Jeffries supplies
potting mixes to the Yalumba Nursery. Jeffries is also involved
in trialing the use of compost and mulch on the various Yalumba
vineyards.
Action undertaken
An eco-efficiency audit was conducted at Jeffries in March 2002
that inspected and reviewed the company facilities and activities.
This included assessment of the:
- Supply chain (transportation and logistics),
- Inputs including energy usage (electricity, gas) and water
usage,
- Outputs including products, bi products and residual waste.
Several eco-efficiency initiatives were identified during the
program and were included into an Action
Plan including:
- Composting options for winery waste streams
- Reduced water consumption.
The following table provides a summary of the Action Plan.
| AREA |
ACTION |
POTENTIAL BENEFITS |
| Composting |
Investigate composting options for winery waste streams
including grape marc, stalks and timber. |
Reduction in material being sent to landfill. Re-use of
current waste material. Reduced water consumption and improved
soil conditioning for growers. |
| Water usage |
Water windrows in the evening. Investigate various re-use
and application options in the planning for Jeffries new site. |
Reduce evaporation and water consumption from the municipal
supply. |
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
|
Take the Greenhouse Challenge. |
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. |
Project outcomes
The development of composting options for winery waste streams
has provided opportunities for product value adding. The resultant
process turns a landfill waste into a valuable resource.
As a result Jeffries has received direct cost savings and identified
the following specific outcomes:
Environmental benefits
Developed composting facility for winery wastes at source (Barossa
satellite) thus reducing freight, fossil fuel use, waste going
to landfill and water usage.
Economic benefits
Estimated cost saving in freight and dumping costs in the order
of $20,000 per annum.
Other issues that have arisen include:
The GBAP was a worthwhile project for Jeffries to be involved
in. They believe that the whole industry needs to take part in
similar projects to become more eco-efficient.
This page was last modified 23-10-2007
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