Team to manage and monitor NZ earthquake waste established
12 June, 2012Local agencies in New Zealand have combined to make sure the current disposal of earthquake waste is efficiently managed and monitored to ensure protection of the natural environment in both the short and longer term.
Pilot project, with compostable bags for biodegradable waste, successful
11 May, 2012Municipal waste management company Berliner Stadtreinigung (BSR) and chemical company BASF have successfully completed a joint pilot project involving the use of organic waste bags made of the biodegradable plastic Ecovio FS. The bio-based bags meet European standard EN 13432 for compostable plastics, and in accordance with the amendment to the German Organic Waste Regulations at the end of 2011, they can be used to collect organic waste.
Liquid Waste Assessment & Waste Classfications in Australia reports available
26 April, 2012The 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.
Publication of National Waste Report 2010 Evaluation Workshops study
13 March, 2012The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has released the ‘National Waste Report 2010 Evaluation Workshops’ study. The ‘National Waste Report 2010’ was launched on 7 May 2010 and is intended to assist government, businesses and the community to make sound policies and decisions, and help individuals to contribute to waste minimisation in meaningful and achievable ways.
Place of sustainable building design
23 November, 2011A collaborative effort between Lend Lease and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) has seen the completion of the $550 million Darling Quarter development in Sydney’s CBD. In the heart of the development is the new Commonwealth Bank flagship campus which has used CSR Gyprock’s EC08 plasterboard.
Rubbish revolution around the corner
19 September, 2011Noisy trucks collecting garbage bins in the early morning could be a thing of the past, thanks to an automated system that silently gathers garbage via an underground pipe network.The automated system is just one part of the City of Sydney’s new draft waste strategy - which details how the city will reduce landfill and greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Griffith Uni becomes UN advisor on waste management
06 June, 2011Griffith University’s appointment as the Australia and New Zealand sub-regional secretariat of a UN global partnership on waste management will mean Queensland local authorities receive improved advice.
Taking control of e-waste
27 April, 2011Electronic waste or ‘e-waste’ is one of the fastest growing waste streams in Australia. It has been reported to be growing at three times the rate of municipal waste, mainly a result of technological change, shorter life spans of equipment and increased consumption.
NZ food waste collection trial
31 March, 2011Some 2000 new food waste collection bins have been delivered to Putaruru residents for a new kerbside collection service. Putaruru is the first town in New Zealand to trial the innovative dedicated food waste collection service which has been initiated by Earthcare Environmental and the South Waikato District Council.
Sorting waste for overseas market
30 September, 2010Adelaide Resource Recovery (ARR) operates from Adelaide’s Wingfield Recycling Centre and is receiving regular enquiries from businesses in Hong Kong and China that are keen to buy SA’s waste plastic.
New research reduces footpath footprint
24 June, 2010Melbourne’s newly laid footpaths will leave much smaller carbon footprints than their predecessors, thanks to new research from Swinburne University’s Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure.
Coffey Environments awarded Australia’s first accreditation for asbestos clearance inspections
01 June, 2010Coffey International subsidiary Coffey Environments has been awarded Australia’s first accreditation for asbestos and hazardous materials clearance inspections by the National Association of Testing Authorities.
Carbon neutralisation of commercial property
25 May, 2010With Queensland businesses reeling from a progression of double-digit electricity price hikes in recent years combined with a highly competitive commercial property rental market, many property owners are looking for a new competitive edge to help attract increasingly discerning tenants who are seeking smart ‘green’ buildings with low electricity consumption.
Waste management solution
25 May, 2010Peacock Bros and Software Integrators have joined forces to produce a real-time waste management solution for truck fleets working on government waste management contracts. The solution, first developed for waste collection contractor J R Richards & Sons, includes real-time monitoring of every truck’s position, instant recording of waste bin pick-ups and a full history of the trucks’ activities during the day, including trips to the tip for unloading, breaks and time spent travelling versus time spent collecting.
2009 waste volumes lowest for 25 years
15 January, 2010The annual amount of waste sent to landfill in 2009 by Canterbury residents in New Zealand was the lowest in 25 years.