Fuji Xerox Australia's Supplies Division was last month recognised at the Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) Awards for its commitment to packaging product stewardship. The division received the Australian Packaging Covenant High Performers Award for the highest annual reporting score in the Small-Medium Communications and Electronics category. [ + ]

Enphase Energy has partnered with YHI (New Zealand) to distribute its microinverter-based solar photovoltaic (PV) system to the New Zealand solar installer community. YHI will ship Enphase's products from six warehouses throughout New Zealand, meaning the company's products are now shipping in 12 countries. [ + ]

Joint venture developers of the $2 billion Central Park mixed-use precinct, Frasers Property and Sekisui House, yesterday morning (14 August) provided a construction tour of the water recycling facility while the plant is undergoing commissioning before becoming operational early next year. [ + ]

Steve Atherton has been appointed chief executive officer at biotechnology company BioGill. The company was established to commercialise BioGill wastewater treatment technology, developed in ANSTO research laboratories. [ + ]

Groundbreaking research on using ultrahigh-intensity blasting to improve mine productivity has been awarded the 2014 CEEC Medal by the Coalition for Eco-Efficient Comminution (CEEC). [ + ]

Software company Autodesk is offering secondary schools, vocational institutions and universities in Australia and New Zealand free access to the company's professional 3D design software and creativity apps. [ + ]

A trial of underground communal rubbish chutes in a Sydney inner-city suburb has replaced an unsightly, cluttered bin bay with new recycling and waste chutes linked to an underground storage system. [ + ]

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has launched the Future Green Leader Award to recognise and reward emerging sustainability leaders with creative ideas and commitment to the property and construction industry. [ + ]

The United Nations Global Compact Cities Programme has received a renewed commitment and investment from RMIT University, which is providing $5 million to the program over five years. The program is the urban component of the Global Compact, which is dedicated to the promotion and adoption by cities of 10 principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. [ + ]

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) held its annual awards last week, honouring individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the global sustainability movement. [ + ]

Scientists from Seoul National University have converted cigarette butts into a high-performing material that could be integrated into computers, handheld devices, electrical vehicles and wind turbines to store energy. [ + ]

First Solar and The University of Queensland have begun construction on a 3.275 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) research facility at UQ's Gatton campus. [ + ]

The Australian Smart Lighting Summit, to be held in Melbourne from 18-19 August, will attract developers, contractors, lighting industry professionals and local government authorities. [ + ]

Townsville City Council is upgrading its utilities infrastructure in the CBD. The project involves upgrading approximately 12 km of water and sewerage underground pipework and construction of a new reservoir, as well as stormwater drainage and footpaths. [ + ]

A report detailing paint consumption and disposal in Australia, released by the National Paint Stewardship Scheme Implementation Working Group, will form a cornerstone in the development and economic modelling of a national voluntary paint stewardship scheme in Australia. [ + ]