Industry News
‘Green steel’ from old rubber tyres produces no waste or toxic fumes
The seemingly impossible dream of producing steel with the help of recycled materials such as old rubber tyres and plastics is now a reality thanks to close researcher-industry collaboration. [ + ]
Australia’s coal production set to soar but carbon emissions to decline from 2018
Modelling from carbon analytics firm RepuTex indicates investment in new mines will continue to drive production for the best part of the next decade, with output and resultant carbon emissions forecast to rise to record levels. [ + ]
Carbon calculator helps to boost timber pallet recycling and jobs
On 21 June, Stephen Mitchell, Sustainability Program Manager with the Timber Development Association of NSW, launched the online end-of-life wood pallets and packaging diversion calculator at Direct Pallets and Recycling, a new recycling centre at Ingleburn in Sydney’s south-west. [ + ]
Pilbara to boost water savings by billions of litres
Pilbara communities will save up to 1.15 billion litres of water each year through a $1.5 million expansion of water-efficiency projects. [ + ]
Landmark report shows economic benefits of wind farms
A typical 50 MW wind farm pays host farmers some $250,000 per year, is constructed by workers who spend up to $1.2 million locally and contributes up to $80,000 annually to community projects, according to a landmark study into the economic benefits of wind farms. [ + ]
Westfield almost trebles recycling rate
Following the successful installation of new recycling bins at Westfield Shopping Centres nationally, the recycling of bottles and cans has almost trebled from 542 to 1492 tonnes a year, equivalent to more than 62 million small plastic PET containers. [ + ]
Brother joins ANZRP to provide a free national e-waste recycling service
Brother International Australia, a provider of home and business IT peripherals, has joined the Australia and New Zealand Recycling Platform (ANZRP), to provide a free e-waste recycling service for Australian consumers. [ + ]
Building tomorrow’s markets: governments and businesses join UNDP to boost sustainable agriculture
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) yesterday presented an initiative to boost sustainable agriculture in developing countries through partnerships between governments, businesses and smallholder farmers to coordinate the production and export of key commodities like coffee, grains and cocoa. [ + ]
Clean Energy Regulator determination on local government landfills
The Clean Energy Regulator has made a determination on the number of local councils with landfill sites that could be emitting large amounts of methane and other gasses. [ + ]
ALS Water Sciences Group joins GHD
The Water Sciences Group (WSG) of Australian Laboratory Services (ALS) has joined engineering, architecture and environmental consulting company GHD. [ + ]
Financial services licensing for emissions units
From 1 July 2012, various types of emissions units will be financial products under the Corporations Act. Financial services in these products will be regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). [ + ]
Communities share in $42 million for smarter energy use
The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, have announced over $42 million in grants to improve energy efficiency across community buildings and facilities. [ + ]
Rate your community with the Green Star - Communities tool
A new sustainability rating tool is set to transform Australia’s cities and communities. The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released Green Star - Communities, an independent, national rating tool which will drive more sustainable, productive and liveable communities. [ + ]
First Solar to provide solar power projects for AGL under Solar Flagships Program
First Solar has announced that it will supply, construct and maintain large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects totalling 159 MWAC for AGL, following AGL’s selection as the successful proponent in the solar PV category of the Solar Flagships Program independent reassessment process. [ + ]
Australia “needs national groundwater strategy”
Australia will not have enough fresh water to meet the combined needs of a rapidly growing population, expanding industries and conservation of native landscapes in the mid-21st century if it fails to articulate a national groundwater strategy for the future. The caution comes from two of the nation’s most eminent water scientists, Professor Craig Simmons and Professor Peter Cook of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NGCRT). [ + ]