A novel adsorbent for removing emerging contaminants from wastewater that is claimed to be more effective, re-usable and environmentally friendly has been developed by researchers in Temple University's Water and Environmental Technology (WET) Center. [ + ]

Founding Managing Director of TES-AMM Australia New Zealand Alvin Piadasa provides an inside perspective on the fledgling electronics recycling industry. [ + ]

Business consulting firm Frost & Sullivan has completed its report ‘Strategic Analysis of the Australian Waste-to-Energy Sector’, which is based on interviews with industry stakeholders and an extensive literature review. The report finds that the Australian waste-to-energy market is poised for significant growth. [ + ]

EnviroGroup installed a 90 kW Yingli solar system at Balgownie Estate in Victoria to help control energy production, reduce electricity bills and to further reduce carbon emissions. [ + ]

Taiwanese researchers have discovered a new and unusual application for audio CDs: breaking down sewage. Their wastewater treatment technology will be presented at The Optical Society's Annual Meeting, to be held from 6-10 October in Orlando, Florida. [ + ]

Northumbrian Water, a provider of water and sewerage services in the north-east of England, has chosen Atlas Copco screw blower technology to help reduce energy consumption and minimise service costs at its sewage treatment works in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. [ + ]

Research led by CSIRO has shown that carbon farming schemes, which pay landholders for planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide, should consider other benefits such as the reversal of land clearing and the restoration of ecosystem services, including pest control, pollination and soil and water conservation. [ + ]

Many leading global companies - including those in Australia and New Zealand - are seriously embracing sustainability practices. Their leaders understand that this approach is not simply a reporting exercise, but that full and transparent disclosure to all stakeholders is crucial for success in today’s competitive market. [ + ]

As part of the Fletcher Building Group (FBU), the Laminex New Zealand plant in Hamilton is committed to improving energy efficiency and reducing CO₂ emissions by 10% by 2020. But finding and implementing improvements in a busy 24/7 manufacturing operation has its challenges. [ + ]

A single advanced building control now in development could slash 18% - tens of thousands of dollars - off the overall annual energy bill of the average large office building, with no loss of comfort, according to a report by researchers at the US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. [ + ]

Western Sydney builder Neil Turrell has created an online marketplace that is changing the way in which Australians purchase, sell and dispose of unwanted building products. The BuildBITS app and online market allows people to sell excess building products that would typically be thrown in skip bins and contribute to landfill. [ + ]

Human waste could be used to combat climate change, helping to lock up our carbon emissions and build more fertile soils. This is according to Professor Nanthi Bolan of CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE) and University of South Australia. [ + ]

A Siemens control system is providing free-range hens with more comfort and also reducing their risk of infection. The system automatically controls the daily routine - eg, feeding, lighting changes and chicken release onto pastures - in transportable chicken coops. [ + ]

Business consulting firm Frost & Sullivan has completed the study 'Voice of Customer' on the Australian industrial waste management industry. Its findings are based on in-depth interviews with a sample of environmental managers and directors, as well as operations managers at industrial companies across the country. [ + ]

Australian scientists have developed a new type of water filter that combines microalgae with bacteria taken from soil contaminated with heavy metals. The technology could prove an effective, cheap and safe way to clean up the potentially deadly arsenic that pollutes the drinking water of tens of millions of people around the world. [ + ]