The Ellen MacArthur Foundation Plastics Pact network has expanded with the launch of the US Plastics Pact at Circularity20 (an online event that aims to accelerate the circular economy).
Waste-derived products and wastes exports see strong May decline
In May, Australia exported about 312,000 tonnes of waste-derived products and wastes with a value of $198 million, representing a 22 per cent tonnage decrease and 21 per cent value decrease compared to the previous month.
Exploring the merits of a WARR carbon plan – towards net zero together
The Monday, May 18 2020 episode of Four Corners was a sobering reminder of what Australia has lost while the wheel of exhausting and riven climate change politics has been turning.
WARR leader picks up industry advocacy honour
The 2020 Woman in Industry Awards Industry Advocacy prize has been awarded to National Waste and Recycling Industry Council (NWRIC) CEO, Rose Read.
Landmark recycling and waste legislation for Australia
Groundbreaking legislation, the Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020, that will enable Australia take responsibility for its waste and establishes a national industry framework for recycling is being tabled in Parliament.
Bingo grows up in the time of COVID
The waste management operator Bingo Industries has delivered an extraordinary profit result, moving from a $22.3 million profit in FY1 9 to $66 million in FY20, a 196 per cent increase.
What one business is doing to make zero-waste coffee
A social enterprise start-up powered by a City of Sydney grant has devised the zero-waste solution, of ‘lending’ coffee beans to local businesses and taking back the coffee grounds for reuse.
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ACT transitions single-use plastic phase out
The ACT Government will transition the phase out of certain single-use plastic following the recent tabling of the exposure draft of the Plastic Reduction Bill 2020.
$10 million grants for NSW solar panel and battery storage
The NSW Government is investing $10 million to help improve environmental performance by diverting end-of-life solar panel systems from landfill, with the first round of grants now open.
Although current waste volumes are relatively low, this emerging waste stream is expected to rapidly increase over the next decade as installed systems reach their end-of-life.
Waste stream expected to grow
In NSW it is forecast that this waste stream could generate up to 10,000 tonnes per year by 2025 and up to 71,000 tonnes per year by 2035.
EPA Director Circular Economy Kathy Giunta said the investment in recycling through this Circular Solar grants program would help NSW meet its commitment of net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
“While current amounts of waste are low, now is the time to invest in developing systems for collecting and recycling these valuable resources like scarce and rare metals, including lithium batteries.
“We want to recycle and re-use the materials in solar panels and battery systems as NSW transitions towards cleaner energy and this program is an important step in building a productive circular economy in NSW.
“It will see NSW well placed to manage waste solar systems over the coming years and will stimulate much needed job creation in the solar power and recycling sectors,” Giunta said.
The NSW Government is inviting Expressions of Interest for grants to run trial projects that increase the collection, reuse and recycling of solar panel and battery storage systems. Applications for projects that trial whole of supply chain approaches to collecting and reusing and/or recycling can be made until 17 September 2020.
$2 million is available in this funding round, with the remaining funding to be made available following evaluation of this EOI process.
For more information visit https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/working-together/grants/infrastructure-fund/circular-solar-trials-expression-of-interest or email infrastructure.grants@epa.nsw.gov.au.
How food scraps will power 3,200 WA homes
Local food retailers and restaurants in the WA City of Cockburn are encouraged to apply to join the first free commercial food waste trial in Western Australia.