Hi everyone,

It was a scorching start to October, a warm 37 degrees here in Camden, Western Sydney. So I decided to spend Monday indoors producing the podcast edition of our weekly newsletter called What's Up In Waste. 

🎙️ If you'd prefer to listen to a 3-minute recap, it's now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and our website.

Next up for this month's feature focus, we're going to be shining the spotlight on a big question:

It's all about the green skills gap and it is sparking some heated debates.

In the US, President Biden launched the Climate Corps last month, an initiative to recruit 20,000 young people into environmental gigs. Is this something that we should be doing here in Australia?

If you want the full lowdown as we investigate this story and more, subscribe to our weekly email newsletter.

Till next week, stay cool.

Jane & Team Laying Waste Media

👇 And now, onto this week's recap: Bricks, Bottles & Biochar.

💡 Waste Innovation Spotlight

Biochar, the product of heating organic waste like wood or plants in an oxygen-deprived environment, is capturing global attention for its environmental potential.

Not only can biochar store carbon for centuries, but its diverse applications—from enriching soils to being incorporated in roads and concrete—are opening new avenues for sustainable development.

With the US and EU markets embracing biochar and corporations showing interest in related carbon credits, the material promises both environmental benefits and economic opportunities.

ANZ Biochar Industry Group experts shed light on these insights and more in a fascinating webinar hosted by the WMRR.

🌱 Our subscriber feature, From Waste to Worth: The Science of Biochar & Beyond, also explores the tech transforming waste into valuable resources and energy.

🚀 Are you a waste innovator? Contact us if you want to be featured on our upcoming podcast interview series or email newsletter.

Get your mission in front of investors, businesses, partners and organisations worldwide who want to make a positive impact.

🔆 Weekly News Picks

01/ The UN Environment Programme announces the historic decision to establish a "Global Framework on Chemicals – For a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste.

Based on 28 targets, the framework outlines a roadmap for countries and stakeholders to collaboratively address the lifecycle of chemicals, including products and waste.

It's a historic outcome of discussions at The Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), which concluded in Bonn last week.

Key directives include:

• The prevention of illegal chemical trade.

• Phasing out hazardous pesticides by 2035.

• Transitioning to safer chemical alternatives.

• Improved transparency.

The framework elevates the issue of chemical pollution to the same urgency as climate change and biodiversity loss. Germany has pledged EUR 20 million to fund its implementation. Read more here. 

02/ 🧱 In an example of the challenges of product innovation, last week, LEGO shared they are pausing work on a prototype material sourced from recycled plastic.

After two years of testing and development on rPET, they've assessed that the rollout of this particular project, unfortunately wouldn't have helped to reduce overall carbon emissions. So they are moving on and testing alternatives. LEGO have tested more than 300 types of materials and there have been some successes with a material called bio-PE, which is derived from sugarcane. This is used in all of the little plant and botanical elements in the Lego sets. You can read more about their sustainability initiatives and progress here.

[On a side note, I had an idea for LEGO - how about an old brick return and earn program? Is there a way that we could send in our old bricks for reuse? I would be a millionaire]

03/ 🍅 Meanwhile, in the UK, Heinz is topping their squeezy tomato ketchup bottles with a 100% recyclable cap, making the whole bottle recyclable.

This means up to 300 million plastic caps could be recycled each year instead of being sent to landfill.

The cap is made from a 'first of its kind' material, designed to be compatible with kerbside recycling schemes.

It's launching UK-wide from next month. Let's hope this goes worldwide. Read more here.

📌 Bid Bulletin

Do you have a great idea on how to use AI to improve recycling and help the environment?

Bankstown City Council is hosting market-sounding sessions and seeking like-minded organisations and developers to discuss AI recycling contamination models. More info here

📖 Book Of The Week

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport.

How do you find the time? That is a question I was asked last week. One book that helped me a few years back when everything was getting a bit overwhelming was this one on time blocking. Basically, you block out each hour of your work day and put boundaries around focus tasks (for example, writing or analysing a report) and admin tasks like checking emails. There's no fancy app or diary needed: just a pencil/pen and a lined notebook. I found it super helpful and hope you do, too.

🌱 Fun Thing Of The Week

Did you know biochar has been found in ancient Amazonian soil which is known to be very fertile, the dark earths are called Terra preta.

🎙️ Stay Tuned

Get the latest waste innovation news & stories before everyone else does, subscribe to our new podcast.

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This Week In Waste: From Leftovers To Lights - The Brilliant Upside of Food Waste

While it might seem that food would harmlessly compost, the reality is different. In landfills, decomposing food releases methane – the greenhouse gas that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide. So, even though it's 'just food' when left to rot in vast quantities, it contributes significantly to our planet's environmental challenges.

Our first stop on this food waste tour is an Asian city of 10 million residents where almost 100% of food waste is recycled, can you guess which one?

And we're looking at more than just curbside bins. We're sailing the high seas with Royal Caribbean Cruise liners who've implemented their own proprietary waste-to-energy system and AI tech aboard their newest luxury liners to efficiently manage food and solid waste.

We're also exploring how modern retailers are turning to AI to keep track of and minimise food surplus and waste throughout their supply chains. And that's just the tip of the compost heap. So let’s dive in!

Which Asian city recycles almost 100% of its food waste?

The answer. Seoul 🇰🇷 . The city of 10 million residents (yes that’s half the population of Australia) produces 2,500 tonnes of food waste daily.

In a recent article from the LA Times titled "How South Korea’s composting system became a model for the world," journalist Max Kim sheds light on South Korea's impressive food waste management system that has been embedded into the daily lives of Seoul residents and turns food waste into biogas powering residential homes.

"Since South Korea banned land-filling food waste in 2005, followed by another ban on dumping its liquid byproduct (known as leachate) into the ocean in 2013, the country has operated a comprehensive composting program that recycles almost all of its discarded food into fertilizer, animal feed or, in the case of Nanji Sewage Treatment Center, a type of fuel called biogas."

This progressive approach, established almost two decades ago, stands as an inspiration for cities worldwide aiming to achieve sustainable food waste management. Read full article here.

A similar model could be rolled out in Sydney where Race2030 has been working on a fascinating project with Sydney Water and UTS to map the potential of using Sydney’s urban organic waste as a source of bioenergy.

The Race2030 study mapped the city's organic waste potential, uncovering its significant capability for bioenergy generation through anaerobic digestion. The opportunity could save 33,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year for the across the 3 local council areas included in the study, which covers about 18% of Sydney’s population, or nearly 1 million people.

Key takeaways include:

• Wastewater Treatment Plants' Power: Three key wastewater treatment plants in Sydney namely Malabar, St. Mary’s and Riverstone might hold the key to fulfilling 20% of the city's anaerobic digestion infrastructure gas needs by the end of this decade.
  

• Biogas Boom: The diversion of organic waste from landfill could lead to the production of a whopping 38 billion litres of biogas. This translates to an impressive energy value of 1.37 billion MJ!
  

• Waste Breakdown: Among the organic waste sources, food remains king, accounting for 49% of the potential energy. Garden organics follow at 38%, with the balance coming from sewage, and fats, oils, and greases.

For a deeper dive into this groundbreaking research and the roadmap to greener energy in Sydney, check out the full study on the Race2030 website.

Jumping offshore, we explore the revolutionary way cruise ships are powering their luxury liners using waste.

🛳️ From Fine Dining to Fuel: The Revolutionary Way Cruise Ships Are Powering Their Luxury Liners

Large cruise ships generate over 200,000 gallons of sewage and 8 tonnes of solid waste weekly. If diverting and reducing waste on land is a challenge, imagine tackling waste management on board ships while travelling from port to port. Read our latest feature.

🥬 When Silicon Met Lettuce: Preventing 26,705 Tons CO2e Emissions in One Fresh Move!

In a groundbreaking pilot program, the Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment in the U.S. working with large grocery retailers used the power of AI to predict demand and optimise ordering.

The pilot focussed on fresh produce and ran across 2 years resulting in an impressive 14.8% average food waste reduction per store and preventing the release of 26,705 tons of CO2e emissions.

The core takeaway? Using AI early on in the supply chain to tackle ‘low hanging fruit’ can proactively address food waste before groceries reach households.
Read more here.

And now a Sneak Preview into This Week's Waste Spotlight: E-waste & Green Metals

Last week, I had the unique opportunity to visit Mint Innovation’s biorefinery in Smithfield. The cutting-edge facility, situated in Western Sydney, is at the forefront of transforming e-waste. Using smart chemistry, they're extracting green metals from waste — think half a tonne of gold and 1,000 tonnes of copper a year — metals that play a pivotal role in electrification and decarbonisation efforts. This visit was an eye-opener, and I'm excited to dive deep into the world of e-waste, green metals, and mining decarbonisation in our next newsletter. Stay tuned for an in-depth article complete with insights from the visit, photos, and a look into how these industries are evolving to meet the demands of a sustainable future.

📈 Funding & Policy Pulse

AgriFutures Rural Womens Award 2024 is open for entries. If you’re working to positively impact and future-proof regional Australia, apply now!

Each State and Territory Winner receives a $15,000 Westpac grant for their project, business or program, access to professional development opportunities and alumni networks. Deadline is 13 September. More at AgriFutures website.

📅 Social Diary

Thursday 7/9 @ AIMEX, Sydney, Sydney Showground.

We’re visiting AIMEX this week to learn about mining decarbonisation initiatives and attending a session on the value of using circular economy principles in a session to be presented by Valentina Petrone, Circular Economy Lead at WSP.

You can register for free on the AIMEX website. If you’re there let us know and we’ll come and say Hi!

📕 Book of the Week

Actually 5 Aussie Cookbooks This Week To Kickstart Your Zero-Waste Kitchen Journey

A good place to start on reducing waste is in the kitchen Here’s our pick of the top five must-read books that will inspire you to embrace a zero-waste meal prep approach. Check out the list.

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Spring is here! And we’re excited to be hatching the next issue of our magazine and the first season of our podcast series for November.

If you have a story to share or would like to be featured please reach out to us.

Till next week,

Jane, Helen & Laying Waste Media Crew

This Week In Waste - Second Lives

In our latest waste innovation round up, we kick off with the Aussie invention that's cleverly filtering reusable water from cement slurry that has saved 4.5million litres of water to date to our top trends spotted at AWRE and end with a sunlit twist on retired landfills, plus policy and funding updates and more: get ready to jump into a world where waste is just the beginning.

Enjoy!

Waste Tech Spotlight

In our latest interview with SLURRYTUB™ CEO David Flintoff, we learn how their surprisingly simple, cost effective and ingenious portable filtration system is providing a best practice environmental solution for tradies, changing the way wet trade slurry is being managed and saving an estimated 4.5 million litres of water in the process! Full article here.

AWRE Expo Insights: Top 3 Waste Tech Trends

1/. Your Avo on Toast Today, Tomorrow's Topsoil Treasure

A highlight at the recent AWRE expo was the increasing number of technologies to convert organic, food and even plastic waste into soil, fertilisers and biochar. With soil degradation being an issue globally, these technologies hold promise for restoring soil health and improving agricultural yield.

While there's a national target to cut our individual waste by 10%, recent findings in the National Waste Report 2022 have estimated that our household waste has surged by 3% since 2017. As landfills approach their limits and waste numbers grow, technologies that turn waste into soil, biochar and fertiliser could provide a potential circular solution with added benefits. What was waste yesterday can be the foundation of tomorrow's harvest.

2/. Battery Burnout or Born Again

By 2030 it's forecast 30,000 tonnes of used EV batteries will need to be disposed of in Australia according to a report by the University of Technology Sydney – commissioned by the not-for-profit Battery Stewardship Council.

Managing spent batteries is becoming critical with the undeniable rise of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and the use of battery-powered devices in our everyday lives.

These are more than just your typical A.A. batteries we're discussing; the lithium-ion batteries powering EV cars and e-scooters are a significant waste and safety problem.

Just because an E.V. battery has reached the end of its life for vehicle use doesn't mean it's entirely spent. Many innovators are exploring the "second life" of these batteries. Once they're no longer efficient for cars or buses, batteries could be repurposed for applications like grid energy storage, which can function for several years. This novel approach uses their remaining capacity for meaningful purposes.

3/. Ditch the Plastic Ocean, Embrace the Plastic Road.

With a tidal wave of plastics flooding our environment, the pressing question emerges: how can we repurpose plastics into valuable products for our local economy? Beyond the usual consumer goods, envision plastics finding new life in the infrastructure we rely upon—like car parks and roads.

A prime example? Look no further than the road under your feet. Pioneering researchers from RMIT University are steering a groundbreaking project to use recycled plastics as a performance enhancer in asphalt. And it's not just any plastic: the project focuses on incorporating recycled materials, including industrial waste and the difficult-to-manage soft plastics.

With the support of the Australian Research Council, Austroads, and 10 Victorian councils, this initiative is not just about recycling waste. It's a vision to redefine the future of our infrastructure by integrating sustainability. So, the next time you're on a smooth drive in Victoria, remember – that stretch of road could be more than just asphalt; it's paving the way to Net Zero. Read more.

What's Trending From The Blog: "The New Alchemists"

In a world drowning in waste, we explore the intricacies of cutting-edge waste transformation technologies like plastic pyrolysis and biochar production in our exclusive subscriber feature. Ready to unearth the magic?

Mining The Sun?

Meanwhile, in the U.S., the EPA 'Re-powering America's Land' initiative has identified enough landfill sites, mine lands, and brownfields to build half the solar capacity needed to achieve net zero targets by 2050. So says an upcoming report by The Nature Conservancy that suggests repurposing former mine lands, landfills and brownfields is an affordable path to building clean energy hubs. Read more here.

Policy Pulse

The Australian ACCC has published draft guidelines on environmental and sustainability claims for businesses. An important initiative in the wake of 'greenwashing' and hopefully will provide much needed guidance and assurance for consumers, customers and businesses alike. Read more here.

Funding Focus

Applications for the Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF) Plastics Technology stream are open from 18 July 2023 to 13 November 2023.

Up to $60 million is available under the Plastic Technology stream. Its purpose is to deliver national solutions for hard-to-recycle plastics. Some state or territory governments will also contribute funding. Each state has a different deadline. More details here.

Social Diary

We've got a packed calendar for August and we're buzzing with excitement. If you're attending any of these events, let us know– we'd love to catch up!

Building a Circular Future - 22/8 We'll be heading to St Mary's RSL Sydney for workshop sessions on managing building and industrial waste in our journey towards a circular economy. With panel discussions and presentations from Circular Australia, NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Department of Regional NSW, Urban Development Institute of Australia (NSW), Coreo, SaveBoard, Western Sydney Parkland Authority and Penrith City Council. More about it here.

The 2023 Consensus Awards - 24/8, 6pm-10.30pm Get ready for a night of innovation and recognition at the UTS Ariel Function Centre, Sydney. We're particularly excited to see The Hon Ed Husic, our Minister for Industry & Science, presenting the awards including those for the GreenTech category. Now in their 23rd year, the Consensus Awards identify and award locally designed and developed innovation across Australia and New Zealand. Did you know? 9 out of 10 winners from these awards have seen 10x returns. Mind-blowing, right? Learn more at www.consensus.com.au and maybe grab a ticket here.

Book of the WeekThe Clean Tech Revolution: Winning and Profiting from Clean Energy by Ron Pernick and Clint WilderAn insightful look into how the U.S. approached clean tech's evolution, from concept to concrete. Unpack the game-changers across eight sectors: solar, wind, biofuels, green builds, next-gen transport, smart grid, mobile apps, and water tech. A masterclass on how pioneering clean tech companies kickstarted a movement. Available on Amazon here.

To thank you for reading this far we have a surprising fun fact for you, we learnt at AWRE that it is possible to pulverise an entire cow into soil in under 90 mins.🐄📩 Got something to share? Email our team and let's make it happen!

Have you enjoyed this edition? Please share it with a friend! Or have feedback? We'd love to hear from you.

Signing off for now!

Jane @ Team Laying Waste! Media