Integrated, systems-based approach required for zero waste

Australia must maximise the life span of resources and recover as much as possible for as long as possible, for many good reasons (including job creation, carbon mitigation and when we finally grasp that recycled/ secondary raw material really is as good as virgin – planet protection).  However, I cannot help but feel that in the calls for ‘zero’ waste and creating a ‘circular economy’, we sometimes lose sight and knowledge of the essential role that our industry and facilities play in making this happen; particularly when one considers that while a ‘zero waste’, resource efficient society is desirable, it is not instantly achievable – and query if it is at all when we consider impact of natural disasters for example.   Read More

Waste Expo Australia draws near

When it comes to waste production, Australia is amongst the top developed countries in the world to contribute – responsible for more than 76 million tonnes of waste on a yearly basis – an alarming figure that continues to rise. Read More

Cheese factory at centre of anaerobic digestion pilot

Gaia EnviroTech is the Bioenergy and Waste management division of Gekko Systems, based in Ballarat, Victoria. As part of a Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL) Research Project, Gaia EnviroTech has been working with a cheese factory site in Tasmania to process their waste in a multi-stage Anaerobic Digestion (AD) system. Read More

Waste goals achievable for regional and city councils

Growing up north-west of Melbourne on a farm in the Macedon Ranges was idyllic for a young Raymond Trevorah, but not without its challenges. Having a learning difficulty didn’t stop Trevorah from realising his potential. Being severely dyslexic might have been a roadblock to many careers in science-based industries, but Trevorah realised early on that while language wasn’t his strongest suit, science and maths were. So strong that he ended up with a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering with Honours from RMIT University and then went on to earn a PhD. Was it environmental engineering that piqued his interest in the waste industry? Not quite. Read More