Search

CSIRO gathers innovators to tackle plastic waste

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

02 Nov, 2024

This post was originally published on Sustainability Matters

The rate of plastic production has grown faster than any other material since the 1970s, making plastic waste an urgent global concern. Currently, about 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced every year.

Plastic waste flows into riverways and oceans, with an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic on the ocean floor. CSIRO’s Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network (IPPIN) was formed in order to respond proactively to this massive problem.

The Australian national science agency is in the process of gathering environmental entrepreneurs from across the Indo-Pacific region for a Demo Day to showcase innovative methods for tackling plastic waste. More than 20 international teams will take part in the IPPIN Accelerator+ Program, with these entrepreneurs set to converge at locations across Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok to show how their solutions are transforming the way we produce, use and recycle plastic materials.

Kirsten Rose, CSIRO’s Deputy Chief Executive, emphasised the critical role of international partnerships in addressing global challenges like plastic waste and enhancing Australia’s innovation ecosystem.

“Plastic pollution is a global crisis that knows no borders and we cannot tackle it alone,” Rose said.

“Collaborating with our neighbours is crucial for advancing technology and business innovation, enabling us to weather economic uncertainty. By working together across borders, we can create a more resilient, healthier and prosperous region.

“Initiatives like IPPIN foster joint innovation, leading to sustainable and organic solutions to boost industry profitability.”

Those attending Demo Days can expect to see advanced waste management systems, creative methods for repurposing single-use plastics, and initiatives to empower marginalised communities most impacted by plastic pollution.

IPPIN Senior Program Manager Andrea Sosa Pintos said that CSIRO’s IPPIN program enables innovative solutions to accelerate rapidly and at scale.

“By 2040, global plastic use is estimated to double. Australia’s commitment to the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, as part of the negotiations for a UN treaty to end plastic pollution, firmly highlights our role as a regional leader in combating plastic pollution,” Sosa Pinto said.

“To date, IPPIN has engaged with over 3000 people in program activities and supported 130 global entrepreneurial teams to scale up sustainable and innovative technologies to find lasting solutions to address plastic waste.

“We have seen humble ideas grow into fully fledged, profitable innovations that revolutionise upstream and downstream plastic solutions. Continuing to support future innovators will be critical in tackling plastic waste regionally, together.”

Image ©Greenhope

One such success story is IPPIN alumnus Greenhope, a startup that has developed technology that utilises cassava starch to produce commercialised biodegradable bioplastic packaging.

Since its venture began, Greenhope has replaced 12 billion pieces of conventional plastic with biodegradable plastic and improved the welfare of 179 Indonesia cassava farmers.

CSIRO said IPPIN highlights the agency’s ongoing commitment to ending plastic waste and changing the way plastic is reduced, reused and recycled.

To find out more about the IPPIN teams, click here.

Top image caption: IPPIN 2023 alumnus The Ocean Cleanup deploys its ocean-cleaning technologies around the globe. Image ©The Ocean Cleanup.

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

You may also like…

Land, Sea, and Wiry Trees Converge in 100architects’ Imaginative New Playground

Land, Sea, and Wiry Trees Converge in 100architects’ Imaginative New Playground

A new public park in Guangzhou re-envisions the possibilities of play.
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Land, Sea, and Wiry Trees Converge in 100architects’ Imaginative New Playground appeared first on Colossal.

Got Eco-Anxiety? This Activist Is Showing Us How to Keep Hope Alive

Got Eco-Anxiety? This Activist Is Showing Us How to Keep Hope Alive

In her new book, Climate Is Just the Start, activist Mikaela Loach helps young readers understand the climate crisis and its implications. It comes at an important moment as a recent survey found that 78% of primary-aged children have eco-anxiety, and they’re not the only ones—it’s affecting adults, too. Here, Loach explains her inspiration for […]
The post Got Eco-Anxiety? This Activist Is Showing Us How to Keep Hope Alive appeared first on Good On You.

Rethinking IT sustainability

Rethinking IT sustainability

Sustainability has become a critical business priority, connecting environmental responsibility with financial performance. For many companies, the focus is shifting from simply upgrading technology to maximising value across the entire device lifecycle.

As businesses rethink how they manage their IT infrastructure, embedding sustainability into daily operations is proving essential for reducing environmental impact, controlling costs and driving meaningful outcomes. Embracing a more circular approach to technology management can help organisations meet both their sustainability and financial goals, according to Blue Connections IT.

Gordon Brownell, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Connections IT, said, “One of the most overlooked aspects of sustainable IT is how companies handle surplus or end-of-life technology. Recycling is an essential part of any sustainability strategy, yet it should be the last resort. The focus should be on reuse, redistribution and resale wherever possible. For example, businesses can collaborate with social enterprises to provide viable technology to benefit underprivileged communities, schools and non-profit organisations while minimising the environmental impact of e-waste.”

Traditional IT asset management practices often lead to excessive waste and missed opportunities, with devices discarded before the end of their usable life. By contrast, strategic asset recovery, refurbishment and resale can transform IT sustainability into a cost-saving initiative. A modern approach to device lifecycle management helps extend the value of IT assets while reinforcing a commitment to environmental responsibility.

The shift to hybrid work has added complexity to sustainable IT practices. With more employees working remotely, traditional office-based asset recovery processes are no longer sufficient. Companies must now implement flexible collection services, including direct-to-home shipments and remote device retrieval. Secure, trackable return options let businesses account for every device, whether it’s being refreshed for another employee or responsibly retired.

Brownell said, “Sustainability must be embedded in everyday IT operations, beyond procurement and disposal. Organisations that adopt reusable and secure packaging solutions can significantly reduce waste. For example, using durable, returnable shipping crates instead of single-use cardboard packaging cuts down on landfill contributions and lowers overall logistics costs. Small adjustments like these create long-term environmental and financial benefits.

“Investing in robust reporting and compliance tracking is another valuable step to give companies full visibility into how their IT assets are managed from initial deployment through to end-of-life disposal. Detailed sustainability reporting that outlines the proportion of devices refurbished, resold, donated or responsibly recycled demonstrates accountability and helps businesses meet corporate social responsibility and environmental, social and governance commitments.”

A well-executed device lifecycle management strategy reduces the total cost of ownership of IT infrastructure by extending the usable life of devices, lowering capital expenditures, and generating financial returns from resale or repurposing. Organisations that embed sustainability into IT decisions are also better positioned to attract customers and partners who prioritise responsible business practices.

Gordon Brownell said, “Companies must shift their mindset to integrate sustainability into IT management successfully. Businesses should recognise sustainability as an opportunity to drive efficiencies, reduce risks and differentiate themselves in the market instead of a mere box-ticking exercise. Aligning IT decisions with sustainability goals creates long-term value through technology investments that support both business growth and environmental responsibility.

“Sustainable IT is also about making smart procurement choices from the outset. Organisations that prioritise energy-efficient devices, long-life hardware, and vendor take-back programs support sustainability proactively. Companies can extend sustainability throughout their supply chain by selecting IT suppliers that share their commitment to reducing environmental impact, whether that’s through recycled materials, low-power consumption designs or e-waste management solutions.”

By embedding sustainability into IT practices, businesses not only contribute to a healthier planet but also build more efficient, resilient and future-ready operations.

Image credit: iStock.com/Foxeel

0 Comments