Turning residual plastic into fuel and nanomaterials

No matter how many times you try and recycle plastic, one day it will reach end of life. As a waste stream it is problematic – landfills don’t want it, while environmentalists believe burning it when it is in is residual state, no matter how ‘clean’ the technology, is unacceptable. Those who champion zero waste would rather researchers, and those that produce plastic, work on ways of making it more biodegradable, or give it properties that greatly reduce its end-of-life impact on the environment. Read More

Sydney students turn brewery wastewater into energy

Australian start up switch2 Engineering has developed a technology that can convert brewery wastewater into hydrogen, a clean burning fuel. By doing so, breweries are able to repurpose the hydrogen as a fuel for heating, transportation and electricity. Using this technology, breweries can not only save costs on utility bills, but do so sustainably, according to the founders. Read More

Translating waste tech from laboratory to local manufacturing

Founded in 2008 by Professor Veena Sahajwalla, the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) at the University of New South Wales, collaborates with industry, global research partners, not-for-profits, and governments to develop innovative environmental solutions for some of the world’s largest waste challenges. Read More