Search

Conference to explore how Aust can reach 2030 waste target

We are an online community created around a smart and easy to access information hub which is focused on providing proven global and local insights about sustainability

11 Oct, 2024

This post was originally published on Sustainability Matters

The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia’s (WMRR) inaugural Australian Resource Recovery Conference, to be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 16–17 October 2024, will explore how the nation can meet its 2030 target of an 80% resource recovery rate.

“Currently, Australia generates around 76 million tonnes of waste material a year and recovers only 45 million tonnes for a resource recovery rate of 63%,” said WMRR CEO Gayle Sloan. “This means the nation needs a net increase in resource recovery rate by about 1.5 million tonnes a year if it is to reach its 80% target by 2030.”

Sloan said this would require a huge shift in behaviour and action across the entire value chain given that, to date, per capita waste material continues to increase.

“Achieving this means there needs to be both a paradigm shift and behaviour change to address unnecessary consumption and overproduction of products in the first place,” she explained.

“There also needs to be a drive to create market demand for recycled materials, a reduction in the reliance on virgin material, and investment in all stages of extending life (reuse, repair) to increase local remanufacturing capacity and grow both Australian jobs and skills.”

This new national conference aims to bring together operators, practitioners, policymakers, regulators and product developers from across the country to discuss all aspects of material recovery, the manufacturing of products and maintaining a circular economy. At the same time, it will examine the waste recovery industry’s role in addressing emissions and biodiversity loss.

Keynote speakers include South Australian Deputy Premier Susan Close; SEC Newgate’s Sue Vercoe; CSIRO Environment’s Dr Heinz Schandl; Greens Spokesman on Waste and Recycling Senator Peter Whish-Wilson; and Green Industries SA CEO Josh Wheeler. There will also be a virtual address from Reloop co-founder and CEO Clarissa Morawski on lessons from Europe.

There will be eight technical and specialist sessions covering regulation; planning, infrastructure and investment; data insights; product and market development; education and behaviour change; regional and remote; innovation and technology; and disaster recovery.

“One of the challenges for the WARR industry is to educate the community that recycling doesn’t end when material goes in the recycling bin,” Sloan said. “It needs to extend to what people purchase in order to create the circularity required to make the system work as effectively as possible.

“Consumers, business and government should actively choose to buy recycled. Consumers need to use their purchasing power to influence business to use products made from recycled materials, be it packaging, compost or building products — the list goes on and on. Ask the question ‘is this made from recycled material and if not, why not?’

“The benefits of this are twofold — it is good for Australian green jobs and good for the planet.”

For more information, including the full program, click here.

Image credit: iStock.com/Rawpixel

Pass over the stars to rate this post. Your opinion is always welcome.
[Total: 0 Average: 0]

You may also like…

How Can We Tackle the Food and Climate Crises Together? Food Systems Transformation for a Sustainable Future

How Can We Tackle the Food and Climate Crises Together? Food Systems Transformation for a Sustainable Future

How Can We Tackle the Food and Climate Crises Together? Food Systems Transformation for a Sustainable Future
jschoshinski
Mon, 11/11/2024 – 20:53

This session will explore how transforming food systems can address the dual crises of climate change and food insecurity. Panelists will highlight innovative strategies, including nature-based solutions and climate-smart agriculture, as well as finance mechanisms that promote emissions reduction while maintaining sufficient and nutritious food production. We will provide actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners to advance sustainable development goals while addressing climate and food crises.

Teaser Text
This session will explore how transforming food systems can address the dual crises of climate change and food insecurity.

Event Date
Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 11:00 am
– 12:00 pm +04
(7:00 – 8:00 am UTC)

Event Location
Pavilion F9, Baku Olympic Stadium

Sponsored by
CGIAR

Advanced registration required
Off

External Link
Learn More and Watch Livestream

Event Format

Virtual
In-Person

Event Type
Conference

Topic

Agriculture
Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Climate Finance
Food Security
Nature-based Solutions

Strategic Objective

Adaptation
Mitigation

Sectors

Agriculture and Food Systems

Region

Global

Add to calendar
Add to Calendar
2024-11-19 07:00:00
2024-11-19 08:00:00
How Can We Tackle the Food and Climate Crises Together? Food Systems Transformation for a Sustainable Future

This session will explore how transforming food systems can address the dual crises of climate change and food insecurity. Panelists will highlight innovative strategies, including nature-based solutions and climate-smart agriculture, as well as finance mechanisms that promote emissions reduction while maintaining sufficient and nutritious food production. We will provide actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners to advance sustainable development goals while addressing climate and food crises.

Pavilion F9, Baku Olympic Stadium

Global Climate Change
team@climatelinks.org
UTC
public

Can Wet Wipes Be Recycled?

Can Wet Wipes Be Recycled?

Baby wipes, moist towelettes, wet naps — whatever you call them, they all serve essentially…
The post Can Wet Wipes Be Recycled? appeared first on Earth911.

UK Shows Plans for Low-Carbon Heat Network in London

UK Shows Plans for Low-Carbon Heat Network in London

The UK government set out plans this week for one the country’s largest heat networks, which is slated to provide low-carbon heat to about 1,000 buildings in central London.  The network is part of a £1 billion ($1.29 billion) initiative to provide low-carbon heating throughout Westminster, a city and governmental hub within Greater London. The […]
The post UK Shows Plans for Low-Carbon Heat Network in London appeared first on EcoWatch.

0 Comments