Resource recovery

PROJECT | 2020

Sustainability and heat mitigation measures for Western Sydney's Aerotropolis

ISF as a part of consortium of consultants advised Western Sydney Partnership on the development of plans for the Aerotropolis priority precinct by conducting a study on sustainability and heat. The study derived advice on sustainability and heat mitigation taking an approach of extending traditional methods and business-as-usual approach to using innovative and flexible planning solutions that respond to emerging issues such as urban heat, water management and circular economies.

PROJECT | 2019

Recycling and resource recovery infrastructure advice

Infrastructure Victoria commissioned ISF and AlfaBeta to assess the state of waste resource recovery and reprocessing technologies in other Australian and international jurisdictions, together with their associated policy and market settings.

This work informed Infrastructure Victoria and the Special Minister of State on secondary processing, and residual and organic waste processing infrastructure requirements.

Client: Infrastructure Victoria

Researchers: Melita Jazbec,  Nick Florin,  Ben Madden

PROJECT | 2019

Sydney Airport waste strategy

ISF was commissioned by Sydney Airport to develop a waste strategy incorporating a commitment to improved recycling, resource recovery and waste minimisation across airport activities including retail, passenger terminals, construction and demolition.

The waste strategy and roadmap, guided by the principles of zero waste and planning for a circular economy, was designed to reduce waste across all waste streams within Sydney Airport’s control. It presented actions and responses to the main challenges identified through interviews and workshop with the relevant stakeholders.

Our research informed the client's Sustainability Strategy and Sydney Airport Master Plan 2039, including commitments to better environmental efficiency, sourcing responsible materials and managing the social and environmental impact of procurement.

Client: Sydney Airport

Researchers: Melita Jazbec,  Damien Giurco,  Rachael Wakefield-Rann

PROJECT | 2018

Packaging material flows through the Australian waste and recycling system

ISF was commissioned by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation to undertake and update a material flow assessment of packaging waste flows through the Australian waste and recycling system. This analysis provided a baseline data-set, characterising packaging circularity and highlighting potential opportunities for future resource recovery.

Material flow assessment is a mathematical modelling approach that provides an analysis of material flows and stocks within a defined system. This work combined best available data from government, industry and academic sources, expert interviews and peer review with the application of a detailed mathematical model of the post-consumer packaging lifecycle. It also assessed the adequacy of existing resource recovery infrastructure in Australia. Significantly, it provided the starting point for further action towards the 2025 National Packaging Targets.

The project demonstrated the need to improve packaging recovery and recycling rates across all materials streams. It also highlighted key data and infrastructure gaps which need be addressed to drastically improve resource recovery.

Client: Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)

Researchers: Nick Florin,  Ben Madden

PROJECT | 2017

Evaluation of improving recycling in multi-unit dwellings

ISF undertook an evaluation of a trial of infrastructure and education interventions to reduce contamination and leakage in multi-unit dwellings in the Southern Sydney Region of Councils area.

The evaluation involved quantitatively analysing bin data from 75 apartment buildings (with over 1,800 individual units), using descriptive, bivariate and multivariate statistics, and synthesising findings with the results of a residential qualitative and quantitative survey. It also included in-depth interviews with key staff involved in managing the project and delivering the interventions. Our research led to the development of a project proposal to further explore how recycling systems can be optimised in high-rise buildings, currently being considered by the City of Sydney.

Client: Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC)

Researcher: Melita Jazbec

PROJECT | 2016-2017

Product stewardship for energy systems

ISF has worked with state and territory governments to support the development of product stewardship approaches for energy systems.

ISF advised the ACT Government (ACT NOWaste) on viable product stewardship approaches for lithium ion batteries. The Queensland Department of Environment and Science engaged ISF to undertake an international review of best practice of battery stewardship, including interviews with international stakeholders. ISF also invited key industry stakeholders to participate in a workshop to inform a stewardship process for PV solar systems, and is a member of the Battery Industry Working Group. 

Client: ACT Government

Researcher: Nick Florin

PROJECT | 2016

Child-safe battery recycling

Every week around 20 children present at Australian emergency departments with an injury related to a button or coin cell battery. They are extremely dangerous if swallowed, and can cause serious injury or fatality.

The recycling rate for batteries is less than 3 per cent, so most of the 300 million button and coin cells sold in Australia per year end up in landfill, where they can contaminate the land or groundwater. Additionally, in 2016, there was no child-resistant storage container or collection system for the disposal or recycling of button cell batteries.

Supported by the NSW Environmental Trust, ISF collaborated with the Australian Battery Recycling Initiative to investigate new systems for the child-safe collection and recycling of button cell batteries. As part of this project, new child-resistant storage containers were designed, and the project outcomes contributed to recommendations for a national scheme for recycling button cell batteries.

Client: Australian Battery Recycling Initiative (ABRI)

Researchers: Elsa Dominish,  Damien Giurco

PROJECT | 2015-2017

Characterisation of battery collection channels in Australia

The Australian Battery Recycling Initiative commissioned ISF to explore battery collection channels in Australia. The focus of this research was to identify well-supported, convenient and safe battery collection points that were efficiently connected to end-of-life processors (an essential factor in the development of a successful national battery stewardship scheme for all types of batteries).

ISF characterised existing and potential collection points by performing a preliminary assessment of points and channels, conducting targeted stakeholder interviews with organisations across the recycling supply chain, and provided a final evaluation and recommendations. The study highlighted the diversity of collection channels and possible pathways to recycling that characterise the Australian waste battery management system, spanning from collection, aggregation, sorting, pre-processing and local and international manufacturing of new products.

Client: Australian Battery Recycling Initiative (ABRI)

Researchers: Nick Florin,  Rachael Wakefield-Rann