Industry News
Remarkable water savings for Booleroo and Melrose
The communities of Booleroo Centre and Melrose in South Australia's southern Flinders Ranges will save nearly six million litres of water each year through the use of an innovative water-saving technique. [ + ]
Urban Wind Map boosts city's renewable energy goal
San Francisco has received a boost towards its goal to meet 100% of electricity needs with renewable energy in the next 10 years with a new renewable energy tool, the Urban Wind Map. [ + ]
Toilet roll-rolling the way to improved environmental performance
In the UK, Sainsbury's is eliminating 500 trucks from the road each year simply by reducing the inner diameter of its toilet rolls. [ + ]
Liquid Waste Assessment & Waste Classfications in Australia reports available
The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has released two new waste policy reports: the Liquid Waste Assessment Report and Waste Classifications in Australia. [ + ]
Rural WA town embraces recycling
Mundijong, in rural Western Australia, is embracing new away from home recycling. The initiative, which is expected to divert more than 10 t of beverage containers from landfill annually (equivalent to more than 400,000 small plastic drink bottles), is a partnership between the Australian Food and Grocery Council’s Packaging Stewardship Forum and the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire. [ + ]
East Australian Current on science watch
CSIRO oceanographers have embarked on a 10-day, $2 million research voyage they believe will generate the most complete profile yet of one of Australia’s most influential environmental features, the East Australian Current. [ + ]
MobileMuster Local Government Awards nominations now open
Nominations are now open for three categories of the MobileMuster local government awards - Best Promoter, Working with Schools and National Excellence. [ + ]
Solar cell efficiency breakthrough
The early-stage breakthrough of a University of Sydney researcher and his German collaborators could see the realisation of 40% efficiency for low-cost solar cells suitable for rooftop panels. [ + ]
Stormwater greening Geelong Botanic Gardens and Eastern Park
Geelong’s Botanic Gardens and Eastern Park will be greener thanks to the construction of new stormwater irrigation infrastructure. The Australian Government is providing funding of $415,000 for the Eastern Park project, which is part of $2.79 million in Australian Government funding for the broader Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse - Geelong’s Plan project. [ + ]
World’s first ecofriendly, super-elite muscle car to unveil at MotorEx 12
Car constructor and green homes builder Mick Fabar plans to stun car enthusiasts, politicians and environmentalists alike at Meguiar’s MotorEx in Sydney’s Olympic Park Dome on 21 July, when he unveils ZERO’D, a 600 horsepower, turbocharged, biodiesel V8-powered sedan built with a ‘zero carbon footprint’ approach. [ + ]
Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) market could soar, says GlobalData report
A new report by GlobalData predicts a steep rise in the market for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) as energy-efficient lighting becomes increasingly important as an immediate solution to rising electricity consumption and as CFLs become more compatible with existing lighting infrastructures. [ + ]
Solar to play big role in New Zealand’s electricity future
Small-scale renewables could play a big part in New Zealand’s electricity future, says Brendan Winitana, Chair of the Sustainable Electricity Association of New Zealand. [ + ]
Feds put $3.75 million on table for a greener Green Square
Lord Mayor Clover Moore, today, welcomed a $3.75 million federal government grant to begin rolling out Australia’s first large-scale trigeneration network that will transform Sydney’s Green Square into a new retail, residential and employment hub. [ + ]
BlueScope Steel launches sustainability website
BlueScope Steel has launched a sustainability website for sustainability specialists, industry personnel and the general public that showcases sustainable solutions for building, infrastructure, mining, energy and manufacturing. [ + ]
James Cook University launches carbon neutral food recycling system
Queensland’s James Cook University claims to be the first university in the world to install a machine that takes food scraps and turns them into a liquid bio-fertiliser. The Bio-Regen system, created by local company VRM, has the potential to revolutionise management of commercial food waste and is already attracting worldwide attention. [ + ]