In an innovative effort to reduce cotton waste, a Queensland cotton farmer is turning cotton ginning byproducts into valuable compost.
Cotton growers Matthew and Julia Barnes, from Tinkelara in Emerald, Central Queensland, have developed a process that creates a soil conditioner while alleviating gin trash (residue from the cotton plant such as sticks, leaf and plant), and liquid waste, making the product more sustainable.
The process takes about six months. The gin trash is blended with the liquid additives to create the mixture. From here, it has air circulated through it to ensure it breaks down enough and cures.
“The soil compost is like a conditioner that you would use on your hair. We use it on the farm, and several horticultural and broadacre farmers also use the product.”
The compost product is regularly tested to ensure quality and to measure nutrients.
By diverting waste from landfill, these farms are creating a beneficial product while reducing environmental impact. Though demand for natural compost is growing, high freight costs remain a challenge for customers.
Matthew and Julia, like the Australian cotton industry, are committed to sustainability, ensuring every part of the cotton plant and process is utilised. The lint is transformed into various products, the seed is used to feed cattle, and the trash is re-purposed into nutrient-dense compost.
Nothing goes to waste.
Matthew and Julia first started their composting project about 17 years ago. Not only do they utilise the compost on their own land to help improve soil health, but they on-sell the product to other farmers.
Together, they farm about 650 acres, of which, the composting project takes part.