CST Wastewater Solutions, in a partnership with Smith and Loveless, is providing grit seminars in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney on 19, 20 and 21 February. The seminars will focus on all the important aspects of grit removal. [ + ]

The Australian Packaging Covenant has announced joint funding of a state-of-the-art plastic recycling facility to be built this year in Queensland. [ + ]

Engineering, architecture and environmental consulting company GHD has merged with Hill Michael, an Australian firm specialising in the development and operation of electricity supply systems. [ + ]

Is it your New Year’s resolution to be eco-friendly? Consult your friends first. [ + ]

The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has released a consultation paper on the efficiency of reporting under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme. [ + ]

A wireless vibration sensor being developed by a Victoria University student could provide a low-cost solution for engineers to monitor the damage of buildings affected by earthquakes. [ + ]

A growing body of evidence suggests tackling food waste could help resolve many of the sustainability challenges faced by the food industry. [ + ]

A new joint Australian-US research institute led by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) will foster rapid development of ‘over the horizon’ photovoltaic technology and establish Australia as the solar cell research and education hub of the Asia-Pacific region. [ + ]

The federal Climate Change Authority’s (CCA’s) final review of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) has been released after almost six months of detailed analysis and extensive stakeholder engagement. [ + ]

Professor Veena Sahajwalla has won the $30,000 top prize in the Innovation Challenge awards run by The Australian. [ + ]

A fellowship program aiming to stimulate collaborative research between the water re-use industry and academia has been launched by the Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence. [ + ]

Eco-Buy and Net Balance have merged, combining their sustainable supply chain and sustainable procurement advisory services to create Australia’s largest sustainable supply chain consulting group. [ + ]

New Zealand’s Environment Canterbury is working with water consent holders with takes of 20 litres per second and more to ensure compliance with the national regulations to install a water measuring system. [ + ]

Minimising Australia’s carbon footprint, while saving Australians millions of dollars a year, is the focus of a new $100 million partnership between the Gillard government, researchers and the construction industry. [ + ]

A University of Sydney engineer has ruled ocean iron fertilisation an uneconomical solution to carbon storage, despite its early promise. [ + ]