Energy Minister David Parker has announced the appointment of four new members to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

Hume City Council has won the Spatially Enabling Government Award for its development of a spatial mapping system to support its waste collection process. This has significantly improved the efficiency of its customer services department, which received over 11,000 queries relating to waste collection in the last 12 months.

Waste tyre recycling company Reclaim Industries Ltd has announced that it has been awarded a government grant to the value of $567,500.

Applying a proper business approach to environmental flows and freeing up the rules for private ownership and management could play a key role in ensuring the long-term ecological sustainability of Australian rivers, according to Professor Gary Jones, CEO of eWater Cooperative Research Centre.

Armstrong World Industries has been awarded Gold Certification, in Sustainability Victoria’s Waste Wise Program at the company’s manufacturing plant in Braeside, Melbourne.

The NZ Wood program was officially launched at Parliament by Jim Anderton, Minister of Forestry. The launch kicks off the first promotional phase of NZ Wood — to present the environmental credentials of forests and wood to the building and design sector — and coincides with the launch of the NZ Wood website, www.nzwood.co.nz.

Australian manufacturing has taken a giant green step forward with the opening of a steel de-zincing plant in Melbourne.

Former vice-president of the United States, Al Gore urged those attending a dinner in Melbourne recently to open their eyes and look clearly at climate change.

The Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA) launched the Sustainability Leadership Discussion Paper at the association’s annual general meeting in Melbourne.

Thirty-one leaders across business, agriculture and forestry, science and the environment, the union movement and non-government organisations have joined a group to advise the government on emissions trading and related issues.

Commercial plastics recycler Astron Plastics has received an award for outstanding management of packaging waste at the Packaging Evolution Awards in Australia.

Davey Water Products is aiding plumbers and apprentices in training through the supply of its RainBank systems to almost 60 TAFE College’s and similar training centres throughout Australia.

Waste management company AnaeCo Limited has announced it is seeking a November listing on the Australian Stock Exchange. The company is aiming to raise $5 million to fund its share of the construction of its first advanced waste treatment facility for the Western Metropolitan Regional Council (WMRC) in Perth.

Reducing the amount of polystyrene in its packaging has not only produced greater efficiency for Criterion, it also resulted in being recognised at a national level for its environmental focus.

An emissions trading scheme will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote environmentally friendly behaviour and create business opportunities for New Zealanders, according to Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Climate Change Minister David Parker.