An association dedicated to promoting plastics that are biodegradable, compostable and based on renewable resources is set to represent the industry and provide a streamlined view on issues relating to the benefits of bioplastics in Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]

A Sydney-based company, Packaged Environmental Solutions (PES), has won a contract to provide eco-friendly and sustainable infrastructure facilities for an island resort in Fiji. [ + ]

Researchers at Melbourne University have been awarded a $734,000 grant from the Australian Research Council to evaluate and develop a new planted-soil capping technology for landfills known as phytocapping ('phyto' = plant). [ + ]

A senior technical officer from Gosford City Council in NSW has been awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to study alternative and traditional solid waste management technologies and practices overseas. [ + ]

The Natural Edge Project has won a Banksia Award for Environmental Leadership, Education and Training for a book entitled The Natural Advantage of Nations and an associated training program for engineers called the Engineering Sustainable Solutions Program. [ + ]

Three innovative Australian technologies have won Global 100 Eco-Tech Awards at the 2005 World Expo currently being held in Aichi, Japan. [ + ]

The Australian Council of National Trusts (ACNT) and the Australian Wind Energy Association (AusWEA) have released a collaborative report on the visual impacts of wind farms. [ + ]

The Victorian government has announced its partnership in the Enviro 06 Convention & Exhibition, which will be held in Melbourne from 7-10 May next year. [ + ]

Hundreds of tonnes of ferrous metals are being diverted from landfill by a giant magnet at the Jacks Gully Waste and Recycling Centre operated by WSN Environmental Solutions at Narellan, NSW. [ + ]

Outback Australia will be an additional focus for Clean Up Australia's activities next year. [ + ]

Australian designer and manufacturer of water pump and pressure systems, Davey Products has acquired the New Zealand-based water treatment company, Contamination Control. [ + ]

A wave energy generator has been positioned on the sea floor off Fremantle, Western Australia to start trial production of electricity and fresh water with no fossil fuel input. [ + ]

During March, the Steel Can Recycling Council and Coles Supermarkets ran a promotional campaign to boost the levels of awareness among consumers of the recyclability of steel packaging. [ + ]

New figures released in a Planet Ark report commissioned by the Australian government have revealed that Australians have cut their plastic bag habit by 1.34 billion bags a year. However, they are still using 5.58 billion plastic checkout bags a year. [ + ]

A seven-metre tall figure composed of three tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has been installed at South Bank, London. [ + ]