From trash to treasure: whole orchard recycling project shows promising signs

A ground-breaking project which turns agricultural waste into regenerative solutions for the future has shown promising outcomes for Australian almond growers. 

Funded by Hort Innovation and delivered by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the whole orchard recycling project is investigating a circular approach that will benefit both the environment and future crops. 

Whole orchard recycling is an innovative practice where trees that have reached their end of productive life are chipped down and incorporated back into the soil, helping to sequester carbon, regenerate soil health, and support the establishment of new orchards. The project has been developed to explore application on Australian soil for the almond industry, following proven success and wide adopted in perennial crops in California.

The three-year trial, which has just concluded in a commercial orchard near Merbein, Victoria, compared whole orchard recycling with compost applications and untreated control plots over three growing seasons. The results revealed a 30 per cent increase in soil organic carbon in the whole orchard recycling treatment, along with healthy tree growth and strong establishment of the new orchard. 

Brett Fifield, CEO at Hort Innovation, said the results of the project are promising for Australian almond growers.

“We know sustainability is a focus for growers, so through projects like this, we are aiming to create solutions that will help achieve climate goals while also having holistic benefits for growers,” Mr Fifield said.

Beyond increasing soil organic carbon, this process was also shown to reduce nitrate leaching, helping to retain nutrients in the root zone and support long-term soil fertility. This creates more favourable conditions for young trees and supports growth. 

By investing in evidence-based innovation, the almond industry is taking proactive steps towards a more sustainable, circular future. As the sector continues to evolve in response to climate challenges, initiatives like whole orchard recycling are setting a new standard for sustainable orchard management – turning waste into growth and paving the way for a more resilient future.