Social Impactor
2022 AWARD FINALIST
Sponsored by MAS
MyNoke began 15 years ago, when founder Dr Michael Quintern was working as a soil scientist with big ideas for finding a solution for environmentally conscious waste disposal at an industrial level. Michael developed a trial worm farm to accept and process large volumes of pulp mill fibre waste at a Waikato-based mill.
MyNoke, meaning ‘my earthworms’ in te reo Māori, has grown to encompass biosolids disposal, as well as food and paper waste at several locations.
Waste materials from industry and local councils are sent to vermicomposting sites. Carefully managed proportions of ‘dry’ (paper) wastes are mixed with ‘wet’ (nitrogen-rich) food and biosolid waste to create the optimum diet for a range of earthworms. The earthworms process the waste and reduce it by approximately 80%. As a result, a rich and valuable soil conditioner, called ‘Vermicast’ results. This is sold to agriculturists and gardeners to improve soil productivity.
MyNoke has diverted over one million tonnes of organic waste. The aim is to make this an annual figure. The company works with industries, councils, community groups, schools and non-for-profit organisations to educate and support people to reduce their environmental impact while enriching people’s lives.