June 2008 - Waste

QWESTNet aims to bring together sustainable technology users and retailers in an informal environment.

Introduction
Partner Presentation
Managing Your Waste
Edgy Info
Exhibitors
QWESTNet Homepage

Introduction

Agenda (PDF, 162K)*

On Wednesday 18 June 2008 QWESTNet held a forum held in partnership with the Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA). The topic for the day, 'Don't let your business waste away' looked at how businesses can reduce the waste they create and how this can have a positive impact on the business' bottom line.

Disclaimer: The presentation of a service, product or technology does not constitute endorsement of any kind by the department or Queensland Government.

Partner Presentation

The Waste Management Association of Australia

View presentation (SWF video file, 2.0M)†
Download PDF version (PDF, 58K)*

Troy Uren, Waste Management Association of Australia Queensland

Troy opened the forum with an inspirational message challenging delegates to take a holistic view of their business activities and how they can grow it at the same time as reducing negative impacts on society and the environment. Troy uses a thought provoking analogy of a Petri dish containing bacteria and the death they ultimately meet.

Managing Your Waste

Waste and Your Business

View presentation (SWF video file, 3.6M)†
Download PDF version (PDF, 601K)*

Harry Copeland, Brisbane City Council

Harry considers criteria businesses can use to reduce the amount of waste they bring into their organisation through their supply chain. Harry then considers other environmental impacts and business costs associated with waste generation and disposal.

Recycling e-waste

View presentation (SWF video file, 3.5M)†
Download PDF version (PDF, 2.2M)*

Zoltan Sekula, Sims E-Recycling

The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated in 2006 that there are 92.5 million electronic items held in Australia. Currently, much of this is destined for landfill when it passes its useful life. Zoltan provides more startling statistics and information about the problems associated with e-waste and some answers to what businesses can do to ensure their e-waste is treated in a less damaging manner.

Case Studies

Return & Reuse: the Coles story

View presentation (SWF video file, 11M)†
Download PDF version (PDF, 1.0M)*

Ian Neeland, Trans.L Systems

During his time at Coles Group Limited Ian introduced an integrated packaging system into the fresh produce supply chain. The system delivered net benefits of more than $50M per year and reduced the annual use of fibre board by 35 000 tonnes, replacing it with reusable containers.

Breaking Barriers With Waste Management

View presentation (SWF video file, 3.0M)†
Download PDF version (PDF, 138K)*

Paul Wilson, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

Paul provides an overview of how far Brisbane Convention Centre has come in terms of managing waste since the Centre opened in 1995. Responding to increasing customer demand, the Centre decided to take a sustainable pathway and discovered it's not as easy as some might have you believe. Paul discusses the difficulties Centre encountered including lack of information and organisational knowledge, and how these and other issues were resolved. Paul provides invaluable data and also the lessons learned along the way.

Resource Savings in the Food Industry

View presentation (SWF video file, 5.5M)†
Download PDF version (PDF, 899K)*

Steven Thygesen, Snap Fresh

Since mid 2005, Snap Fresh has reduced its annual water consumption to an amount equivalent to Logan's daily supply. Steven reveals the secrets and unexpected discoveries found along the way, accentuating the need to establish your baseline and measure. Steve reports that excellent returns on investment were gained and the process has encouraged Snap Fresh to continue to look to other areas for improvement.

Edgy Info

Changing Wasteful Habits

View presentation (SWF video file, 1.8M)†
Download PDF version (PDF, 887K)*

Bronwyn Elliott, Solutions in Store

To kick start her presentation Bronwyn gets everyone out of their seat to discuss reasons for getting staff involved in any workplace improvement project. Bronwyn They are at the coal face and see opportunity for practical improvement better than most. Building on earlier presentations, she also provides some useful methods to maximise participation.

Buy Recycle Business Alliance Directory (BRBA)

View presentation (SWF video file, 4.2M)†
Download PDF version (PDF, 2.6M)*

Lena Geraghty, Buy Recycle Business Alliance

The BRBA has been supported across all Australian jurisdictions to provide a free central web site providing detailed, transparent and comparable information on recycled products. Using examples, Lena worked through the web site demonstrating its effectiveness and usefulness for businesses seeking a wide range of products from five primary categories: Re-used, Remanufactured, Post-consumer content, Pre-consumer content, and Re-utilised material content.

What's next for the Covenant? - An APC update

View presentation (SWF video file, 3.0M)†
Download PDF version (PDF, 822K)*

Ed Cordner, Australian Packaging Covenant Secretariat

With over 650 signatory organisations across Australia, the Covenant covers 90% of packaging produced in Australia and an estimated 80% of retail brands sold. Ed provides an update on NPC activities so far, with wide ranging data and statistics of use to all businesses. Several signatory case studies are mentioned, and to what the future holds for the Covenant.

Exhibitors

Exhibitors on the day:

Disclaimer

The presentation of a product or technology does not constitute endorsement of any kind by the department and Queensland Government

QWESTNet Homepage

Previous Forums

Subscribe to receive the latest information from QWESTNet or to contact, please e-mail QWESTNet team.

* Requires Adobe Reader
† Requires an appropriate media player

Last reviewed 29 November 2011
Last updated 13 April 2011