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Stories of change – Ocean2Earth

Ocean2Earth converts waste materials into a value-added product, finding opportunities to grow through challenging times.

Ocean2Earth’s is an excellent illustration of how businesses can adapt during challenging times, and how seeking opportunities in the face of adversity can not only help overcome difficulties but also elevate a product.

“Know where resources are located, what is available locally, and how you can use that to take your product”

Environmental composting business Ocean2Earth is the coming together of two brothers who were looking to launch a war on waste. Based in the Bega Valley – an area boasting beautiful hinterlands, winding rivers and coastal waterways – Ocean2Earth had access to an abundance of local natural waste resources.

By using local resources and products, Ocean2Earth have been able to demonstrate its passion for the environment and circular economy, all while making a difference to its local landscape and community.

Ocean2Earth’s success can be attributed to its connection with the land and community, and its collaborative effort with local businesses and the Bega Valley Shire Council to reduce excess waste in the Shire.

“Think outside the box and beyond your market in the local area, always think about the next step”

Utilising local fish waste from fishing boats and seafood processes, timber by-products and a house-made microbial inoculant, Ocean2Earth has created a 100% natural product that not only works to keep the local community free of waste but also brings great benefits to the garden.

Having launched in April 2019, the start-up was impacted substantially by the Black Summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. Through support from government grants and subsidies and pivoting to support a booming online market driven by the pandemic, Ocean2Earth was able to continue to thrive despite the odds.

“Secure your infrastructure, sort out your regulatory items and make sure your business is in a position where other businesses will want to take you on as a partner”

Major suppliers like Mitre 10 began to show interest in the Ocean2Earth Soil Enhancer, but the business didn’t have the infrastructure at that stage to take it to the next level.

By partnering with Pentarch Group and pulling the product from the self for a few months to focus on establishing the appropriate infrastructure, Ocean2Earth was able to grow into the next phase of its business.

This article has been supplied by BVSC – https://begavalley.nsw.gov.au/business/stories-of-change-ocean2earth

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Starlo throws a line to innovative fish composting start-up

Australian fishing legend, sports fishing writer and television personality Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling says a business turning marine waste into compost is one of the most exciting developments for recreational fishing and recycling industries he’s seen in 50 years.

In a new film Ocean To Earth, Starlo takes anglers on a journey that starts in the pristine waters of the Far South Coast of NSW and finishes in the Old Mill Road biofarm with chef, television and radio host and author Paul West.

“In a world that so often seems to be dominated by bad news, it’s an absolute joy to be able to bring you the good news story of Ocean2earth,” Starlo says.

“Two brothers with a passion for fishing and the environment have been able to take fish and other marine waste that would normally have gone to landfill and polluted our environments and turned it into a rich, productive compost.

“It’s one of the most exciting developments I’ve seen in my half century as a fishing communicator.”

Eden brothers Tim and Kyran Crane founded Ocean2earth in 2019 to address fish waste problems at boat ramps in the Bega Valley. Through collections at the ramps and from seafood processors they are diverting between 200 and 300 tonnes of waste away from landfill annually. The end product is Australia’s only EPA-approved naturally processed fish compost.

Bega Valley Shire Council Waste Strategy Coordinator Joley Vidau says the community had been asking Council for a long time to come up with a better solution at boat ramps.

“We had stinky bins and the material was going to landfill and we knew there was something better we could do. Along came Ocean2earth, two local guys, with a solution to a problem faced by every boat ramp in Australia.”

Ms Vidau says Ocean2earth also played a key role in helping Council change the way people think about waste.

“We spend a lot of time at local government level getting people to choose the right bin, because if you don’t what happens is that it ends up costing the community, and the environment, a lot,” she says.

“What blows my mind about Ocean2earth is there was a problem, and these guys came up with the best solution, taking waste out of landfill and making it into a valuable resource – premium grade fish compost. I love it, and Council is so proud to see this innovation start right here in our shire.”

Starlo says there was potential to expand Ocean2earth Australia wide for the benefit of the recreational fishing industry and broader community.

“If you see their collection bins where you’re cleaning your catch make sure you use them, and use them properly. And if you don’t see them there, ask your local Council why not. Because this is the way of the future, it’s got to be the way of the future” he says.

  • The Ocean To Earth film was funded through the NSW DPI Recreational Fishing Trust.