This Month
Warning on the growing solar panel scrap heap
The industry is nearing a tipping point as the nation grapples with unprecedented levels of waste.
- Nina Hendy
August
- Exclusive
- Environmental protection
‘Circular economy’ to be examined by Productivity Commission
The government has asked its economic adviser to explore ways to cut waste going to landfill and encourage the more efficient use of raw materials.
- James Eyers
PE-backed Minemet buys Victorian scrap dealer, hunts for NSW bolt-ons
The business, which is among the state’s leading scrap metal dealers, is understood to have rung in $21 million revenue for the 2024 financial year.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
July
- Property Winner
- Sustainability Leaders
How to get to net zero with recycled building rubbish
Nu-Rock founder Maroun Rahme says reusing waste products could deliver Australia its net-zero target by 2030 as the company takes out the Property and Construction category.
- Larry Schlesinger
- Retail Winner
- Sustainability Leaders
Customers love this cool solution to getting rid of old fridges
Winning Group brand Appliances Online has stopped 80,000 tonnes of electronics and appliances from being dumped in landfill, earning the company top spot in the Retail category.
- Gus McCubbing
- Manufacturing Winner
- Sustainability Leaders
How Amcor gave us guilt-free cream cheese
Soft plastics are piling up in warehouses around Australia. Amcor says it has a solution, taking out the Manufacturing category.
- Sylvia Ramsey
- Special Award
- Sustainability Leaders
Showing the way: Major brands embrace new recycling symbols
Making it easier for households to recycle packaging for food and consumer goods has won Australasian Recycling Labels a special award for Education Enabler.
- Alexandra Cain
May
- Exclusive
- Mergers & acquisitions
Government-backed green tech firm goes broke, gets acquired for $5m
Scipher Technologies, an e-waste processor that the government invested $15 million in, has been bought for $5 million after it entered administration in March.
- Paul Smith
April
Federal contract bidders will need to hit sustainability targets
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said government departments would use their purchasing power to reduce waste and promote recycling, part of new reporting rules.
- Tom McIlroy
- Opinion
- Review
Plastic recycling needs to be freed from the oil price cycle
Until it’s always cheaper to use repurposed materials, the industry has little hope of success.
- Steve Hardman
March
Turning turbines into sneakers: a recycling idea takes flight
Renewable energy giant Acciona was unsure how to dispose of its fibreglass and carbon-fibre wind turbine blades. Its solution came out of the box.
- Hans van Leeuwen
February
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Victoria’s PE play on scrap metal recycling turns to junk
Pacific Metal was backed by the state’s investment fund and big super. But its collapse raises the question of whether governments can really pick winners.
- Anthony Macdonald
November 2023
Why it’s getting harder to find a designer label op-shop bargain
Charities and dedicated boutiques know the value of second-hand luxury goods and are tapping into a growing market for these items.
- Maida Pineda
Why glass is the material of the moment in homewares
Alchemist Ben Edols has produced a series of exquisite works for Sydney interior designer Alexandra Kidd’s inaugural Prima collection.
- Stephen Todd
October 2023
Why your Lululemon yoga pants could be a good investment
An Australian start-up has found a way to turn plastics otherwise destined for landfill into yoga pants and T-shirts. And fashion brands are seeing an opportunity.
- Julie Hare
How these Aussie cafes are keeping laptops out of landfill
Repair cafés are part of a growing culture of re-use, recycle and repair around Australia as garbage levels soar and recycling systems break down.
- Tom McIlroy
Repair and reuse movement booms as inflation bites
Research by waste management giant Veolia shows Australians facing rising consumer prices are fixing important items, rather than replacing them.
- Tom McIlroy
September 2023
Recycling infrastructure outfit CDSA rattles the tin
CDSA pitches itself as a more efficient alternative to manual recycling depots.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Recycling is a must for the mining industry, BHP boss says
Mike Henry’s comments raise the question of whether BHP might follow Rio Tinto with a bigger investment in the scrap industry.
- Hans van Leeuwen
This fintech lets you pay for fuel with bitcoin
A small, but growing, cohort of consumers is tapping their crypto wallets to pay for fuel, powered by a local payments innovation.
- Tess Bennett