tag:theconversation.com,2011:/ca/topics/circular-economy-9017/articlesCircular economy – The Conversation2024-01-11T17:16:17Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2089672024-01-11T17:16:17Z2024-01-11T17:16:17ZOne-and-a-half billion tyres wasted annually – there’s a better way to recycle them<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/535367/original/file-20230703-274753-70lubj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C6016%2C4016&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/landfill-old-tires-tyres-recycling-reuse-2020571027">Maksim Safaniuk/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Production of natural rubber has claimed over 4 million hectares of forest in south-east Asia since 1993 according to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06642-z">a recent study</a>. This destruction of tropical forest for rubber plantations is thought to be <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/rubber-drives-at-least-twice-as-much-deforestation-as-previously-thought/">two to three times greater</a> than previous estimates.</p>
<p>Natural rubber is vital to tyre production since it is stronger, more wear-resistant and more flexible than synthetic rubber. Multiple blends of natural and synthetic rubber are used for making different parts of a tyre. </p>
<p>If more of these tyres were recycled, it would reduce how much oil, energy and forest is consumed to make rubber-based products. Recycling tyres also means less waste accumulating in landfill or being burned.</p>
<p>Yet, most rubber products contain little or no recycled material. A 2021 paper claimed that, globally, less than 2% of rubber products are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2021.109761">recycled or reused</a>. So what’s stopping us?</p>
<p>Many materials can be melted and reset in new forms once they have been separated and cleaned. Not rubber. To make tyres and other products, rubber must be chemically treated in a process known as curing or vulcanisation. This produces a material that is resistant to chemicals and heat – and difficult to recycle.</p>
<p>But that could change thanks to a new recycling process my colleagues and I have developed.</p>
<h2>A tough problem</h2>
<p>Heated rubber will burn rather than melt, releasing lots of energy. In fact, rubber contains <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542504822000392">more energy per gram than coal</a>. That’s why most waste tyres from Europe are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956053X1200219X">burned for energy</a>. </p>
<p>Burning <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301420799000252">only recovers 37%</a> of the energy embedded in rubber, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/30/worse-than-plastic-burning-tyres-india-george-monbiot">generates toxic fumes</a>. That’s why it’s better to recycle rubber, recovering more of its material value and limiting its pollution.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Fire and black smoke engulfing rubber tyres." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/568420/original/file-20240109-23-rrphzr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/568420/original/file-20240109-23-rrphzr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=359&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568420/original/file-20240109-23-rrphzr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=359&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568420/original/file-20240109-23-rrphzr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=359&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568420/original/file-20240109-23-rrphzr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=452&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568420/original/file-20240109-23-rrphzr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=452&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568420/original/file-20240109-23-rrphzr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=452&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Not sustainable: burning rubber causes air pollution.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/burning-rubber-tires-creating-big-black-499685203">Alexander Ishchenko/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Several companies have recycling technologies which can break down waste rubber. <a href="https://www.tyreandrubberrecycling.com/articles/news/tyre-to-tyre-recycling-partnership-between-tyromer-and-continental-tires/">Continental</a> signed an agreement with one company to supply recycled rubber which claims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 90% compared with using the original material (known as virgin rubber). </p>
<p>However, raw recycled rubber can typically only be used in concentrations of up to 25% before the new product has inferior properties. Fortunately, my colleagues and I recently made a material composed of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/app.54435">70% recycled rubber</a> that matched the stiffness of natural rubber. </p>
<h2>How do we recycle rubber?</h2>
<p>Recycling rubber requires breaking chemical bonds introduced by “curing” without damaging the bulk material. </p>
<p>I like to think of rubber like the mess of cables behind my TV, but on a microscopic scale. If I pull on one of the cables, there is some flexibility: it might snag on other cables, but I can probably free it. </p>
<p>Curing rubber clips those cables together. You can’t free them without either removing the clips or applying more force. In recycling, you have to be careful to break the clips without breaking the cables. The good news is that the clips are weaker than the cables, you just need a way to target them. </p>
<p>Early attempts at recycling rubber in the 1980s weren’t very good at doing this and broke clips and cables somewhat indiscriminately. Recycling rubber in this way means it cannot compete with virgin rubber. </p>
<p>As a result, recycled rubber (in the form of ground tyre rubber or “crumb rubber”) became a low-value material used as filler for artificial turf (those horrible bits that get in your boots if you play on older pitches). </p>
<p>There is already enough low-quality rubber <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10098-010-0289-1">to meet demand</a>. Higher quality recycled rubber is needed to make tyres and seals which have a much greater value in the global market and so could incentivise more rubber recycling worldwide.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A close-up view of a crumb rubber surface in a playground." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/568419/original/file-20240109-23-flo0lf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/568419/original/file-20240109-23-flo0lf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568419/original/file-20240109-23-flo0lf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568419/original/file-20240109-23-flo0lf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568419/original/file-20240109-23-flo0lf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568419/original/file-20240109-23-flo0lf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568419/original/file-20240109-23-flo0lf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Useful for artificial turf, playgrounds and… not much else.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/mason-hand-trowel-spreading-leveling-soft-2296421405">Anastasija Vujic/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>At the University of Bradford, we selectively broke down rubber using a technology developed by collaborators at Sichuan University in China over the past 30 years that shears away the “clips” and leaves the “cables”, producing a kind of powder that could be used to make new rubber products. By keeping the cables intact, the powder more closely matches the properties of virgin rubber.</p>
<h2>A circular solution</h2>
<p>Ultimately, the amount of virgin rubber that can be replaced by these new recycling methods will depend upon manufacturers, and turning the powder into products will require further work. Tyres contain a complex mix of synthetic and natural rubber, fillers, processing oils and other chemical additives. </p>
<p>Similar to plastic recycling, it’s hard to tell apart and separate different types of rubber before recycling. We found a huge range of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214993722000380">rubber and metal impurities</a> in rubber waste sent to recycling facilities in China.</p>
<p>Tyre manufacturers have set <a href="https://blackcycle-project.eu/">targets</a> for increasing the recycled rubber content of their products. Figuring out the best way to blend recycled rubber with virgin rubber to match the quality of existing products will require their input.</p>
<p>In future, with sufficient funding, my colleagues and I hope to study what happens to the chemistry of rubber as it is recycled. This could encourage more manufacturers to trust and accept recycled rubber in their products.</p>
<p>Today, defunct tyres are still treated as waste and cost money to dispose of. But if recycled tyres can be used in the making of high-value products, they will finally be seen as a valuable resource. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/568423/original/file-20240109-17-bzmvli.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A hand cupping a black powder." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/568423/original/file-20240109-17-bzmvli.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/568423/original/file-20240109-17-bzmvli.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568423/original/file-20240109-17-bzmvli.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568423/original/file-20240109-17-bzmvli.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568423/original/file-20240109-17-bzmvli.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568423/original/file-20240109-17-bzmvli.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/568423/original/file-20240109-17-bzmvli.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Recycled rubber powder.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/borispol-ukraine-august-14-2015-workers-1723640854">Vitaliy Holovin/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>An increase in the material value of waste tyres would prevent their <a href="https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/23655485.company-fined-10-000-judge-slams-illegal-tyre-storage/">illegal storage</a>, which can lead to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-55042282">toxic fires</a>. More uses for recycled tyres could also help prevent the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-asia-waste-tyres-insight-idUSKBN1WX0LD">export of waste tyres to developing countries</a> where they are burned. </p>
<p>Further investment could help make the circular economy for tyres a reality, giving new life to the 1.5 billion wasted every year.</p>
<hr>
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<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>James Robert Innes received funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).</span></em></p>New technique could drastically improve the recyclability of rubber tyres.James Robert Innes, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Sustainable Polymer Materials, University of BradfordLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2177042023-11-28T16:52:43Z2023-11-28T16:52:43ZWind turbine blades: inside the battle to overcome their waste problem<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/561361/original/file-20231123-23-daf9ep.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">What to do with them?</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/wind-turbine-sunset-background-ecosystem-design-119697847">thaiview/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Wind-farm owners in Europe are holding off on scrapping their old turbines to maximise the power they can generate from them. That’s the latest news from <a href="https://iea-wind.org/task45/">a meeting</a> we recently attended on the industry’s future. Wind turbines are designed to last 25 years, but the calculus for owners appears to have shifted because of the <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/589765/average-electricity-prices-uk/">surge in electricity prices</a> due to the Ukraine war.</p>
<p><a href="https://windeurope.org/intelligence-platform/product/wind-energy-in-europe-2021-statistics-and-the-outlook-for-2022-2026/">According to</a> industry representative Wind Europe, only 454 megawatts (MW) of old turbines were decommissioned in 2022 compared to an expected 1.5 gigawatts (GW). That equates to more than 1,000 turbines whose lives have been extended in Europe. </p>
<p>Indeed, it is apparently the third year in a row in which decommissioning has undershot their expectations. Meanwhile North American turbine decommissioning fell year on year from 668MW to 276MW, we are told by the Global Wind Energy Council. </p>
<p>This creates a little more breathing room to solve a problem that has troubled recycling specialists for some time. Whereas most of a wind turbine can be recycled, <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/16/12557">blades</a> cannot. They are mostly made from glass fibre or carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. Designed to be highly durable and hard, this material is very difficult to cut or grind. </p>
<p>At present, most old blades are either dumped in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/942/1/012016/pdf">landfill</a> or <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.12.043">incinerated</a>. There had been capacity at a German plant to process them into cement, but this was <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S1755-0084(09)70045-6">limited</a> and placed a very low value on the blades. </p>
<p>Around <a href="https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/news-insights/wind-turbine-blades-options-at-end-of-life/">8,000 blades</a> were expected to be retired in the US this year and <a href="https://ore.catapult.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Catapult_Summary_Blade_Report_web.pdf">another 4,000</a> in Europe, amounting to some 40,000 tonnes of material. The final figure may now be lower, depending on how many wind farms are able to extend their planning permission. </p>
<p>Looking ahead, the global forecast for annual blade waste a decade from now is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105601">about 200,000 tonnes</a>. </p>
<p>Despite the current lull, that’s a huge number of blades. And the figures will only increase in subsequent years as the current generation are much longer and heavier than the last, which only adds to the waste problem. </p>
<h2>Aspiration and reality</h2>
<p>Wind-turbine blades take a lot of punishment. Like aircraft wings, they work most efficiently when they are smooth, but can be damaged from sand in the air, as well as lightning and rain. This explains their limited lifetimes.</p>
<p><a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32008L0098&qid=1698784651517">Europe</a> and <a href="https://www.epa.gov/homeland-security-waste/waste-management-hierarchy-and-homeland-security-incidents">the US</a> have agreed a hierarchy of priorities for dealing with them, among other materials. High priorities include keeping them in use, designing them to last longer and repurposing. Then comes recycling, followed by incineration and finally landfill at the bottom of the list. </p>
<p>At present, however, the alternatives to the worst two options are very limited.
Europe is <a href="https://www.energyvoice.com/renewables-energy-transition/330595/windeurope-landfill-ban/">rapidly moving</a> to stop putting blades in landfill, so mostly incinerates them, since this at least produces some energy. </p>
<h2>Repurposing</h2>
<p>Repurposing is a growth area. This means cutting up blades and using the pieces to make new products. Blades have been used to replace the steel girders in bridges, for instance. <a href="https://www.re-wind.info/">Researchers from</a> numerous universities recently teamed up with Cork County Council to do this for a <a href="https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2022/0804/1287943-what-can-you-do-with-used-wind-turbine-blades/">small pedestrian bridge</a> for cyclists and walkers to the east of Cork city. </p>
<p>They used three 14-metre blades from an old turbine (much smaller than the <a href="https://www.ewea.org/wind-energy-basics/faq/#:%7E:text=How%20big%20is%20a%20wind,of%20about%2050%20metres%20length.">50m blades</a> on today’s onshore turbines). One blade was tested to destruction to estimate the strength of the other two, which then replaced the old girders. </p>
<p>The 5.5m bridge, which can support a 12-tonne emergency vehicle, is the second of its kind, following <a href="https://www.compositesworld.com/news/anmet-installs-first-recycled-wind-turbine-blade-based-pedestrian-bridge">another in Poland</a>. There is also one in <a href="https://www.qub.ac.uk/News/Allnews/featured-research/wind-turbines-turned-into-footbridges.html#:%7E:text=The%20bridges%2C%20which%20are%20made,street%20furniture%20and%20telecommunications%20towers.">Draperstown, Northern Ireland</a> and another being built in Atlanta, Georgia. </p>
<p>There is also research into how to <a href="https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%29CC.1943-5614.0001136">make used blades</a> into <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7108/1/2/7">electricity poles</a>. This takes advantage of the fact that the material doesn’t impede phone or wifi signals. These structures don’t need guy wires, meaning they take up less space and you don’t need to rent so much land. </p>
<p>Among <a href="https://www.re-wind.info/">many other possibilities</a> are animal-feeding troughs, bus and bicycle shelters, cattle partitions, glamping pods, housing materials, noise barriers, public furniture, railway ties/sleepers, thermal insulation and wave attenuators. Blades can also be re-purposed for <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b324c409772ae52fecb6698/t/636bd07125aeb5312a8e320e/1668010099748/Re-Wind+Design+Catalog+Fall+2022+Nov+9+2022+%28low+res%29.pdf">building materials</a> such as roofing and deep foundations, which happens to be our focus. We’re always open to other possibilities, so do get in touch with suggestions. </p>
<h2>New types of blades</h2>
<p>There is a great deal of research into blade recycling. The big issue is separating the polymers from the binding resin. The two main methods involve heating them in an oxygen-free environment (pyrolysis) or separating out the resin using a solvent (solvolysis). Unfortunately, both produce fibres that are weaker than new ones and more expensive. </p>
<p>Manufacturers are developing resins that can be more easily recovered. There have recently been claims of success by <a href="https://www.siemensgamesa.com/en-int/-/media/siemensgamesa/downloads/en/newsroom/2021/09/siemens-gamesa-produces-first-recycable-blade-en.pdf">Siemens Gamesa</a>, <a href="https://www.ge.com/news/reports/break-it-down-this-big-wind-industry-player-is-seeking-to-make-future-turbine-blades-100">General Electric</a> and <a href="https://www.vestas.com/en/media/company-news/2023/vestas-unveils-circularity-solution-to-end-landfill-for-c3710818">Vestas</a>, yet none have given much detail about their methods, so the outlook is unclear just now. </p>
<p>Another possibility is to make blades from thermoplastic polymers – that is, plastics which can be made soft with heat. Unlike today’s thermoset polymers, these would be easier to repair and to make into new blades. Potentially they could be manufactured on site to avoid transportation. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/561359/original/file-20231123-27-i0g2cv.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Lorry transporting a wind turbine blade" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/561359/original/file-20231123-27-i0g2cv.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/561359/original/file-20231123-27-i0g2cv.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=326&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/561359/original/file-20231123-27-i0g2cv.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=326&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/561359/original/file-20231123-27-i0g2cv.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=326&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/561359/original/file-20231123-27-i0g2cv.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=410&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/561359/original/file-20231123-27-i0g2cv.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=410&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/561359/original/file-20231123-27-i0g2cv.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=410&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A whole lotta lorries required.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/transportation-wing-wind-turbine-by-truck-30156292">sspopov</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.nrel.gov/wind/assets/pdfs/engineering-wkshp2022-8-3-murray.pdf">A 14-metre blade</a> is being tested in the US, which is very promising, but this is <a href="https://todayshomeowner.com/eco-friendly/guides/wind-turbine-blades-size/#:%7E:text=Blade%20Size&text=Offshore%20turbines%20have%20massive%20blades,80%25%20of%20the%20tower%20height.">less than one fifth</a> the blade length of today’s biggest onshore turbines (let alone offshore turbines). If the tests are successful and can be scaled up, this could be a gamechanger. </p>
<p>It’s also important to emphasise that wind-turbine blades are only part of the problem. There is also a great deal of fibre-reinforced plastic material used in boats and planes. These are only <a href="https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/vision/recyclable-aircraft-materials-could-prove-key-to-jet-zero-success">being recycled</a> to a <a href="https://www.textiletechnology.net/technical-textiles/news/composite-recycling-closing-the-loop-on-boats-made-of-gfrp-33303">very limited extent</a>, so again there’s a major waste problem. </p>
<p>For today’s waste, the answer is push hard on repurposing. With any luck, the research into recycling will eventually make these problems a thing of the past.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/217704/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Peter Deeney receives funding from the EU, Irish Research Council, INVEST Norther Ireland/Department for the Economy (DFE),
Science Foundation Ireland, the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Kieran Ruane is a co-director in BladeBridge.ie, a spin-off company which offers bridge manufacturing and outdoor furniture made from used wind turbine blades. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Paul Leahy receives funding from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, INVEST Norther Ireland/Department for the Economy (DFE), the Science Foundation Ireland, and the U.S. National Science Foundation. He is also a co-director in BladeBridge.ie, a spin-off company which offers bridge manufacturing and outdoor furniture made from used wind turbine blades. </span></em></p>Wind farm owners are keeping old turbines in service to capitalise on high electricity prices.Peter Deeney, Principal Investigator and Senior Post Doctoral Researcher in Energy Finance, Environmental Research Institute, University College CorkKieran Ruane, Lecturer in Civil and Structural Engineering, Munster Technological UniversityPaul Leahy, Lecturer in Wind Energy, University College CorkLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2163042023-11-15T23:14:16Z2023-11-15T23:14:16ZWhat designers can do to make textiles healthier for people and the planet<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/555594/original/file-20230927-29-m4ke9q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=4%2C0%2C994%2C720&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The glamourous aspect of fashion obscures the health and socio-environmental issues of the textile industry.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Shutterstock)</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwp0Bx0awoE">pollution caused by the textile industry</a> is often discussed, but its <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30278363/">impact on health</a> is less emphasized. Nevertheless, the petrochemical compounds used in the manufacturing of our clothes have harmful effects on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onD5UOP5z_c">workers</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxVq_38BoPE">surrounding communities</a>, and <a href="http://www.cec.org/files/documents/publications/11777-furthering-understanding-migration-chemicals-from-consumer-products-en.pdf">consumers</a>. This issue has a <a href="https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2012/11/317d2d47-toxicthreads01.pdf">global impact</a>, but its assessment is complex due to our low chronic exposure to a <a href="https://www.leslibraires.ca/livres/perturbateurs-endocriniens-la-menace-invisible-marine-jobert-9782283028179.html">“cocktail” of synthetic substances</a> whose cause-and-effect relationships are difficult to identify.</p>
<p>Moreover, most of these substances prove to be toxic through interaction or degradation, as is the case with <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/chemical-substances/substance-groupings-initiative/aromatic-azo-benzidine-based.html">azo dyes</a> that are ubiquitous and persistent in the environment.</p>
<p>Through my research in sustainable textile design, I explore how design can contribute to making the textile industry more environmentally friendly, focusing on raising ecological awareness among designers, decision-makers, and the general public.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/551518/original/file-20231002-15-cu6ppt.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="textile dyes" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/551518/original/file-20231002-15-cu6ppt.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/551518/original/file-20231002-15-cu6ppt.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=221&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551518/original/file-20231002-15-cu6ppt.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=221&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551518/original/file-20231002-15-cu6ppt.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=221&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551518/original/file-20231002-15-cu6ppt.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=277&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551518/original/file-20231002-15-cu6ppt.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=277&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551518/original/file-20231002-15-cu6ppt.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=277&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Dyes made from agri-food waste and inspired by Pantone.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Vanessa Mardirossian)</span>, <span class="license">Fourni par l'auteur</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Design-led solutions</h2>
<p>In the 1960s, designer <a href="https://papanek.org/archivelibrary/victor-papanek/">Victor Papanek</a> was the first to address <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/190560.Design_for_the_Real_World">environmental issues related to industrial product design</a>. Meanwhile, biologist <a href="https://www.rachelcarson.org/silent-spring">Rachel Carson</a> initiated the emergence of ecological consciousness, shedding light on the profound impact of human activity on the environment. </p>
<p>Then in the 1990s, <a href="https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/basics-green-chemistry">green chemistry</a> facilitated collaboration between design and biology to develop <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1278402">ecological textiles</a>. Aligned with <a href="https://mcdonough.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Hannover-Principles-1992.pdf">The Hannover Principles</a>, these textiles aimed to enhance waste management and preserve water purity. Intending to harmonize the interdependence between human activity and the natural world by eliminating toxic inputs at their source, these principles also gave rise to the “<a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780865475878/cradletocradle">Cradle to Cradle</a>” ecodesign philosophy that popularized the concept of circular design in the early 2000s.</p>
<h2>An inspired approach from nature</h2>
<p>Humanity has always drawn inspiration from nature to create. </p>
<p>However, in the late 20th century, biologist <a href="https://biomimicry.org/janine-benyus/">Janine Benyus</a> invited us to <a href="https://biomimicry.org">observe the operating mechanisms of living organisms</a>, encouraging a reevaluation of manufacturing processes through <a href="https://biomimicry.org/chapterone/">biomimicry</a> — a concept that draws inspiration from nature’s designs and processes to create more sustainable technologies.</p>
<p>Could we, for example, produce dyes at room temperature and without toxic molecules? This approach leads to a shared reflection between design, science and engineering. This multidisciplinary vision of design, where ecology, medicine, and politics play a role in the design process to better meet the needs of society, was already advocated by Papanek in 1969.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/551520/original/file-20231002-30-2h1680.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="diagram" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/551520/original/file-20231002-30-2h1680.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/551520/original/file-20231002-30-2h1680.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551520/original/file-20231002-30-2h1680.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551520/original/file-20231002-30-2h1680.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551520/original/file-20231002-30-2h1680.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551520/original/file-20231002-30-2h1680.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551520/original/file-20231002-30-2h1680.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Concept of ‘minimal design,’ by Victor Papanek.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Diagram taken from the work of Victor Papanek)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Developing ecological literacy</h2>
<p>In 1990, educator <a href="https://blogs.ubc.ca/lled3662017/files/2017/08/Orr_Environmental-Literacy-Ecoliteracy.pdf">David Orr</a> introduced the concept of ecoliteracy to address a major gap in traditional education, centered on humans and ignoring their interconnectedness with nature. He advocated for environmental education to develop a sense of belonging to one’s living environment and establish production models that promote the resilience of ecosystems. This concept helps to understand the intricate connections between human activities and ecological systems, to foster a sense of responsibility and informed decision-making.</p>
<p>In the 2000s, fashion design researcher <a href="https://katefletcher.com">Kate Fletcher</a> supported the development of this ecological literacy to help stakeholders in the industry (designers, consumers and manufacturers) understand the implicit interconnection of industrial and living systems, showing that fashion maintains a vital relationship with nature. </p>
<p>Then, in 2018, the sustainable design researcher <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/design-ecology-politics-9781350258778/">Joanna Boehnert </a>emphasized that ecological literacy not only promotes the development of new, more sustainable ways of producing, but also broadens our social, political, and economic vision to systemically address transdisciplinary sustainability challenges. </p>
<p>This is also supported by biologist Emmanuel Delannoy who offers a <a href="http://permaeconomie.fr/author/edelannoy">permaeconomy</a> model, blending permaculture and economics to establish a symbiotic relationship between economic systems and the natural environment, fostering resilience and prompting a reevaluation of our connection with living organisms</p>
<h2>A colourful heritage to rediscover</h2>
<p>My <a href="https://hexagram.ca/fr/qu-est-ce-que-la-recherche-creation/">research-creation</a> proposes a critical reflection on textile dyeing. </p>
<p>This field of investigation leads me to explore colouring beyond its aesthetic to raise ecological, economic and pedagogical questions. </p>
<p>While the glamourous aspect of fashion obscures the health and socio-environmental issues of the textile industry, I direct my thinking toward a more global understanding of dyeing, including its origins, manufacturing methods and interactions with living organisms. </p>
<p>I explore the development of non-toxic dyes by studying, on one hand, literature on <a href="https://www.belin-editeur.com/le-monde-des-teintures-naturelles">natural dyes since prehistory</a>, and, on the other hand, by meeting experts in the field such as scientific historian <a href="https://www.cnrs.fr/sites/default/files/download-file/CardonD.pdf">Dominique Cardon</a> or ecoliterate artisan <a href="https://fibershed.org/staff-board/">Rebecca Burgess</a>, founder of the <a href="https://fibershed.org">Fibershed</a> concept, which aims to produce biodegradable clothing in a limited geographical space. </p>
<p>I also study field practices, including those of the Textile Laboratory of <a href="https://www.luma.org/arles/atelierluma.html">Atelier Luma</a>, which works at the intersection of ecology, textiles and regional economic development. </p>
<p>And, I keep an eye on <a href="https://www.arts.ac.uk/subjects/textiles-and-materials/postgraduate?collection=ual-courses-meta-prod&query=!nullquery&start_rank=1&sort=relevance&f.Subject-test%7Csubject=Textiles%20and%20materials&f.Course%20level%7Clevel=Postgraduate">design education programs </a>that offer an art-science approach where deep ecology is integrated into the design process. </p>
<h2>Symbiosis between nature and the textile industry</h2>
<p>Additionally, in the <a href="https://speculativelifebiolab.com/2022/04/03/cooking-and-culturing-colour-part-iv/">research laboratory</a> where I work, I experiment with the intersection of traditional and prospective dyeing recipes.</p>
<p>Inspired by the concept of <a href="https://www.scirp.org/(S(lz5mqp453edsnp55rrgjct55))/reference/ReferencesPapers.aspx?ReferenceID=1999041">industrial ecology</a> (precursor of the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/conservation/sustainability/circular-economy.html">circular economy</a>), that values the waste of one industry as resources for another, I use <a href="https://www.lapresse.ca/societe/mode-et-beaute/2021-03-30/quand-les-dechets-se-melent-de-la-mode.php">agri-food waste</a> as a colouring source, combined with the use of <a href="https://hexagram.ca/en/demo2-vanessa-mardirossian-the-culture-of-color-an-ecoliteracy-of-textile-design/">pigment-producing bacteria</a> to expand the colour palette. </p>
<p>Thus, tannins from various waste materials can be used in dye recipes. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/551537/original/file-20231002-25-qtiisx.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="bits of coloured fabric" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/551537/original/file-20231002-25-qtiisx.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/551537/original/file-20231002-25-qtiisx.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551537/original/file-20231002-25-qtiisx.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551537/original/file-20231002-25-qtiisx.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551537/original/file-20231002-25-qtiisx.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551537/original/file-20231002-25-qtiisx.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/551537/original/file-20231002-25-qtiisx.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Fabric dyed from waste and bacteria.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Vanessa Mardirossian)</span>, <span class="license">Fourni par l'auteur</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>But colouring a textile is only the visible part of the iceberg, as fibre preparation takes place upstream to ensure the colour’s resistance to light and washing, known as “mordanting.” Whether the fibre is animal or vegetable, different mordants will be used. </p>
<p>This expertise acquired iteratively between theory, prototyping, and results analysis contributes to gaining “textile ecoliteracy.” Coupled with a knowledge of biology, this allows for understanding the deleterious interactions between the material and living worlds. </p>
<p>Ultimately, the synthesis of ecoliteracy and biomimicry concepts has led me to reflect on a macro-vision of the fashion industry ecosystem, and to consider the concept of “textile ecoliteracy” as a means to deploy a network of intersectoral collaborations between design, health, education, and industry. </p>
<p>My research aims to show that <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/175693810X12774625387594">textile materiality must harmonize symbiotically with natural ecosystems</a> so that both parties benefit from their interaction.</p>
<p>In conclusion, the textile industry’s environmental and health impacts necessitate urgent attention and innovative solutions. This article has delved into the historical context, explored interdisciplinary approaches, and proposed the concept of “textile ecoliteracy” as a collaborative means to address these challenges. </p>
<p>By focusing on sustainable design, education, and the utilization of innovative practices, designers can play a pivotal role in reshaping the industry. The synthesis of ecological awareness and biomimicry principles highlights the potential for a harmonious coexistence between textile materiality and natural ecosystems. </p>
<p>As we move forward, fostering a symbiotic relationship between the textile industry and the environment is not just a choice but a collective responsibility — one that promises a healthier future for both people and the planet.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/216304/count.gif" alt="La Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Vanessa Mardirossian is a member of Acfas, Hexagram and Concordia University's Textiles & Materiality and Critical Practices in Material and Materiality research laboratories. She has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), Concordia University and Université du Québec à Montréal.</span></em></p>The production, use and end-of-life of clothing all have an impact on our health. But greater ecological awareness could turn the tide.Vanessa Mardirossian, PhD Candidate and educator in sustainable fashion, Concordia UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2145972023-11-14T14:11:48Z2023-11-14T14:11:48ZWest Africa’s plastic waste could be fuelling the economy instead of polluting the ocean: experts<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/557777/original/file-20231106-23-bfkep5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C4031%2C3024&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">A beach littered with plastic and other waste in the fishing village of Kayar, north of Dakar, Senegal.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Bara Deme</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Plastic pollution is an urgent environmental issue, globally. Every year, about eight million tonnes of plastic <a href="https://www.unoceandeplastique.fr/ocean-les-faits/">end up</a> in the oceans.</p>
<p>Most of the 17 west African countries have a problem managing plastic waste. Eight of them are <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1260352">among</a> the top 20 with the least effective plastic waste management practices – up from <a href="https://slacc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/10.-Jambeck2015.pdf#page=2">five</a> in 2015. This has worsened marine pollution and adversely affected activities in the region. </p>
<p>Coastal provinces account for about <a href="https://www.wacaprogram.org/">56% of west Africa’s GDP</a> and one-third of the population lives there. </p>
<p>In 2018, west African nations launched the West Africa Coastal Area Management Programme <a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/12/15/world-bank-approves-246-million-to-strengthen-coastal-resilience-in-west-africa#:%7E:text=The%20WACA%20Program%20was%20launched,erosion%2C%20flooding%2C%20and%20pollution.">to protect and restore</a> the ecological, social and economic assets of coastal areas. It’s supposed to do this by addressing coastal erosion, flooding and pollution. Last year it received an additional <a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/12/15/world-bank-approves-246-million-to-strengthen-coastal-resilience-in-west-africa#:%7E:text=The%20WACA%20Program%20was%20launched,erosion%2C%20flooding%2C%20and%20pollution.">US$246 million in funding</a> from the World Bank. This has brought the World Bank’s total financing of the project to US$492 million. </p>
<p>For many years, we have <a href="https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/persons/pierre-failler/publications/">researched</a> development economics, particularly the interface between the use of <a href="https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/persons/elhadj-deme/publications/">natural resources</a> and the development of countries. We’ve also been involved in research on plastic pollution through the interdisciplinary <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk/research/themes/sustainability-and-the-environment/revolution-plastics">“Revolution Plastics”</a> initiative of the University of Portsmouth’s Centre for Blue Governance.</p>
<p>Our findings on plastic pollution could help west African countries to spend World Bank funds effectively.</p>
<p>We recommend that nations first quantify the volume, type and origin of plastics discarded in coastal zones. Then they must focus on reducing plastics from source, as well as promoting reuse and recycling. They can draw on successful case studies globally, which can be adapted to local contexts.</p>
<h2>Healthy oceans and a circular economy</h2>
<p>The West Africa Coastal Area Management Programme has initiated studies to <a href="https://www.banquemondiale.org/fr/news/feature/2023/07/12/we-are-losing-our-treasure-the-west-african-coastal-areas-tackle-plastic-waste#:%7E:text=En%20Afrique%20de%20l%27Ouest,secteurs%20touch%C3%A9s%20de%20plein%20fouet">assess</a> the environmental and economic impact of plastic pollution in the region. These studies also aim to explore the benefits of moving to a circular economy: an economic system that reuses or regenerates materials or products in a sustainable way.</p>
<p>The programme expects that a circular economy will create new economic opportunities through markets for reusing products and materials. Rather than discarding products, they can be put back into the economy. This can create demand for services and technologies related to collecting and processing them. </p>
<p>The programme can benefit from research on sustainable plastic management from other regions to achieve its objectives.</p>
<h2>Research partnership</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-groups-and-centres/centre-for-blue-governance">Centre for Blue Governance</a> has expertise in blue economy, marine ecosystem management, climate change and circular economy. It has extensively researched plastic pollution in Portsmouth, a port city in the United Kingdom, and beyond. We have found that sustainable plastic management can be achieved in various ways. These strategies could be relevant for initiatives in west Africa. They include:</p>
<p>Inclusive partnerships: Collaborating with businesses, campaigners and citizens on the <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk/research/themes/sustainability-and-the-environment/revolution-plastics">Revolution Plastics</a> initiative, we apply research to develop eco-friendly fabrics and combat microplastic pollution. </p>
<p>Awareness campaigns through art: Community awareness of the harmful effects of plastic pollution is necessary. Through the <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects/masibambisane">Masibambisane project</a> in South Africa, we explored street art, theatre and song to create awareness about plastic pollution. </p>
<p>The project achieved significant results in KwaMhlanga, in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. It demonstrated that raising awareness through art could inspire people to change their behaviour. These communities now have a deeper understanding of the urgent need to act against plastic pollution. </p>
<p>In addition, the introduction of sorting facilities close to homes increased recycling rates and encouraged sustainable habits. The west African programme can incorporate these lessons into the e-book it is planning. This is a way to share information about best practices and encourage action in communities. </p>
<p>Reuse and recycling projects: Through our <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects/indigo-project">inDIGO-EU</a> and <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects/microseap">Microseap</a> projects we reduced plastic waste by promoting recycling and reuse. For example, the INdIGO project has developed biodegradable fishing gear that reduces the environmental impact of ocean fishing in the UK and France. Based on this project, the West Africa Coastal Area Management Programme can develop a sustainable alternative to the gear used for small-scale fishing in the region. </p>
<h2>From diagnosis to action</h2>
<p>Our research findings suggest that for optimal use of the World Bank fund, the West Africa Coastal Area Management Programme could consider the following action plans:</p>
<p>Collect data on plastic pollution: Start with a regional study to quantify the volume, typology and origin of plastics discarded in coastal zones. This could involve the use of technologies such as drones, sensors and remote sensing to map pollution hotpots. Perception surveys could also help to understand behaviours and attitudes related to plastic pollution. The aim is to establish precise indicators and predictive models that can measure how well future interventions work.</p>
<p>Plan for a switch to a circular economy: The plan should focus on source reduction, reuse, recycling and material recovery. A committee made up of government actors, private enterprises and local communities could oversee implementation.</p>
<p>Design community awareness and education programmes: These campaigns should instil a sense of environmental responsibility and give people tools to actively participate in reducing plastic pollution. Involving opinion leaders could increase their impact.</p>
<p>Develop ways to use plastic waste: Value chains for sorting, recycling and valorising require infrastructure, like modern sorting centres. Advanced recycling technologies and market mechanisms for recycled materials are also necessary. Partnerships could be established with local businesses to create products from recycled plastics, such as construction materials or textiles.</p>
<p>By investing in these targeted areas, it is possible to create a sustainable system that offers economic and social opportunities to local communities.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/214597/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Initiating a circular economy can help coastal west African countries to address plastic pollution with a World Bank fund.Elhadj Bara Dème, Research Associate, University of PortsmouthPierre Failler, Professor in Economics and Director of the Centre for Blue Governance, UNESCO Chair in Ocean Governance, University of PortsmouthLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2164002023-10-26T13:29:28Z2023-10-26T13:29:28ZPumpkin waste: three ways to stop your leftover lantern becoming a Halloween horror story<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/556091/original/file-20231026-20-6khnxr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C3003%2C1994&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/rotten-jackolandern-pumpkin-after-halloween-2074486096">Misuzu Henderson / shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>This Halloween, around 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins will go to waste in the UK alone. That’s because, of the 30 million purchased each year, about half go entirely uneaten. That’s <a href="https://hubbub.org.uk/eat-your-pumpkin-campaign">£27 million worth</a> of edible food. The global costs will be far higher, once we add in the waste in the US and other countries where pumpkin carving is also a Halloween tradition. </p>
<p>The money spent on buying pumpkins is only a fraction of the true cost. When a pumpkin is wasted, the water, energy and labour used to grow and distribute it is also wasted.</p>
<p>For every kilo produced, around <a href="https://apps.carboncloud.com/climatehub/product-reports/id/53494839181">260 grams</a> of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gases are emitted. Then when a pumpkin decomposes in a landfill it emits methane, which is a more potent greenhouse gas <a href="https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/reducing-waste-and-harvesting-energy-halloween">than carbon dioxide</a>. </p>
<p>Growing pumpkins also requires <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/pumpkins/grow-your-own">plenty of water</a>. When pumpkin leftovers are discarded, the freshwater used in their production is also wasted. The importance of freshwater reserves was well recognised in summer 2022 when much of the UK had <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/aug/12/yorkshire-water-announces-hosepipe-ban-after-record-low-rainfall">hosepipe bans</a>.</p>
<p>In a world where <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/fao-food-loss-and-waste-major-causes-of-global-hunger-and-malnutrition/6248891.html#:%7E:text=Food%20and%20Agriculture%20Organization%20is,people%20who%20populate%20the%20world.">2 billion people are malnourished</a>, despite the fact that <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/fao-food-loss-and-waste-major-causes-of-global-hunger-and-malnutrition/6248891.html#:%7E:text=Food%20and%20Agriculture%20Organization%20is,people%20who%20populate%20the%20world.">food systems could sustainably feed the total world population</a>, and where <a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/food-bank-demand-and-the-rising-cost-of-living/">families turn to food banks</a> even in wealthy countries, wasting perfectly edible pumpkin is immoral.</p>
<p>Despite all this, we can still make a difference this Halloween. As an academic expert in <a href="https://www.bradford.ac.uk/staff/ebalci/">circular food supply chains</a>, I know how important it is to avoid wasted food, and I have studied how to ensure leftover food is put to use. So I know that people can eliminate these negative impacts of pumpkin waste by simply using leftover pumpkins. Here are the three practical methods.</p>
<h2>Cakes, bread, soups and coffee</h2>
<p>According to a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/08/over-half-uks-24m-halloween-pumpkins-destined-for-food-waste">survey</a> of 3,000 Britons, only 42% knew that the inside of a pumpkin is edible. Repurposing leftovers in cooking and beverages can be one of the simplest ways to use up leftovers. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/556101/original/file-20231026-26-cjem6w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Pumpkin bread" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/556101/original/file-20231026-26-cjem6w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/556101/original/file-20231026-26-cjem6w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/556101/original/file-20231026-26-cjem6w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/556101/original/file-20231026-26-cjem6w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/556101/original/file-20231026-26-cjem6w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/556101/original/file-20231026-26-cjem6w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/556101/original/file-20231026-26-cjem6w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Cake-like pumpkin bread is similar to banana bread.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/fall-pumpkin-bread-slices-close-against-2048401262">JeniFoto / shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>There are numerous recipes on the internet for <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pumpkin-passion-cupcakes">cupcakes</a>, <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pumpkin-ginger-teabread">bread</a>, <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pumpkin-puree">puree</a> or <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pumpkin-soup">soup</a>. There are tasty <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pumpkin-spice-latte">coffee</a> and <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pear-pumpkin-ginger-juice-mocktail">mocktail</a> recipes, or you can use your creativity to build your pumpkin cocktails with your favourite ingredients. However, it is crucial to remember that leftover pumpkin should be stored in the fridge and will <a href="https://hubbub.org.uk/how-to-eat-your-pumpkin#:%7E:text=Steamed%20pumpkin%20flesh%20and%20raw,on%20top%20of%20a%20towel.">last for a few days</a>.</p>
<h2>Masks, scrubs and soap</h2>
<p>Not everyone feels comfortable using leftovers in food, and luckily, leftover pumpkins can be used for other purposes, such as do-it-yourself projects at home. Pumpkin is high in <a href="https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-pumpkin">iron, potassium, and copper, as well as vitamins A, B2, C, and E</a>, making it an excellent beauty ingredient. </p>
<p>You can use the leftover pumpkins for <a href="https://www.virginutty.co.uk/blog/diy-pumpkin-coconut-oil-face-mask-recipe-vegan">face masks</a>, <a href="https://jenniraincloud.com/diy-pumpkin-scrub/">body scrubs</a> and <a href="https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/pumpkin-puree-cold-process-soap-2/">soap</a> as do-it-yourself projects. You can even use it to make <a href="https://www.marthastewart.com/1505783/pumpkin-spice-candles">candles</a> as well.</p>
<h2>Feed some plants or animals</h2>
<p>If you don’t want to hassle with the leftover and carved pumpkins, you can always donate them – zoos, farms and community gardens often welcome pumpkin donations. They can use it as compost material or animal snacks.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/556100/original/file-20231026-15-egcok6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Meerkat with pumpkin" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/556100/original/file-20231026-15-egcok6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/556100/original/file-20231026-15-egcok6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=392&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/556100/original/file-20231026-15-egcok6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=392&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/556100/original/file-20231026-15-egcok6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=392&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/556100/original/file-20231026-15-egcok6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=493&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/556100/original/file-20231026-15-egcok6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=493&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/556100/original/file-20231026-15-egcok6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=493&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Meerkat meal.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Berny-1 / shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/BFJ-03-2021-0211/full/html">recent study</a> showed that if a person is aware that their actions will have a negative impact on the environment, they will try to adopt pro-environmental behaviour. Similarly, sharing the pro-environmental behaviour on social media sets examples and influences others to <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JCM-11-2021-5038/full/pdf?title=sustainability-advocacy-antecedents-how-social-media-content-influences-sustainable-behaviours-among-generation-z">be more sustainable</a>. </p>
<p>In this case, the pro-environmental behaviour will be using the leftover and carved pumpkins. You can adopt one of the above-mentioned practical ways and post the result on social media. </p>
<p>As I found in my own research, creating and using hashtags, as well as <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/BFJ-07-2021-0823/full/html">publicising your efforts on social media</a>, will motivate your family and friends to join you. The more the better. Because, in the end, every attempt to eliminate waste is worthwhile.</p>
<hr>
<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption"></span>
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<p><strong><em>Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?</em></strong>
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<hr><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/216400/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Ebru Surucu-Balci does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>About half of our Halloween pumpkins go entirely uneaten.Ebru Surucu-Balci, Assistant Professor in Circular Supply Chains, University of BradfordLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2144822023-10-12T19:03:00Z2023-10-12T19:03:00ZWe found 3 types of food wasters, which one are you?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/553386/original/file-20231011-21-cnr1fb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C11%2C998%2C654&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/throwing-away-leftover-food-trash-garbage-2103117227">Andrey Popov, Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Each year, Australian households discard about <a href="https://workdrive.zohopublic.com.au/external/06152b9ff5971843391f39fc4d32a847e56fb907c167a4a645887b0a4bc43000">2.5 million tonnes of food</a>. Most (73%) of this food waste <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652622042081">ends up in landfill</a>.</p>
<p>This is costly and contributes to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37118273/">escalating greenhouse gas emissions</a>, because food waste rotting in landfill produces methane. So reducing household food waste and diverting it from landfill saves money, improves food security and benefits the environment.</p>
<p>To address the problem, we need to understand how people generate and dispose of food waste. In <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.105000">our new study</a>, we found households fell into three categories – based on the amount of food wasted, how much of that waste was avoidable and how it was sorted. These insights into consumer behaviour point to where the most worthwhile improvements can be made. </p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JvAFaD5f1Lo?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Tips and tricks for reducing household food waste from the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-case-for-compost-why-recycling-food-waste-is-so-much-better-than-sending-it-to-landfill-205583">The case for compost: why recycling food waste is so much better than sending it to landfill</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Three types of households</h2>
<p>We conducted an online survey of 939 households in metropolitan Adelaide between April and May 2021. </p>
<p>The sample closely matched the national Australian population in terms of gender, age and income.</p>
<p>We asked about the types of food waste produced, the amount of food waste typically discarded in a week and motivations towards reducing and sorting food waste. </p>
<p>We identified three distinct types of households: </p>
<p><strong>Warriors</strong> are typically older and highly motivated to reduce and sort food waste. They generate minimal waste (9.6 litres per week), such as bones and vegetable peels, that is mostly unavoidable. This group comprised 39.6% of the sample.</p>
<p><strong>Strugglers</strong> mainly consist of families with children who produce the largest amount of food waste (33.1 litres per week). They produce the highest proportion of avoidable food waste, such as uneaten fruits and vegetables, bread and cereals. They are moderately motivated to reduce and sort food waste, but more than half of their food waste still ends up in landfill. This group made up 19.6% of the sample. </p>
<p><strong>Slackers</strong> are generally younger. They show little concern about reducing or sorting food waste. Slackers produce the smallest amount of food waste overall (9 litres a week), but the proportion of avoidable food waste (such as mixed leftovers) is significantly higher (38.9%) compared to warriors (24.5%). They are more than twice as likely to live in units, with 17.2% doing so, compared to just 7.8% of warriors. This group was 40.8% of the sample.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Graphic explainer showing the three types of households with their typical characteristics and food waste behaviours." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=361&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=361&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=361&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=454&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=454&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=454&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The three types of households with their typical characteristics and food waste behaviours.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.105000">Trang Nguyen using Canva.com</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">CC BY-NC-ND</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/we-cant-keep-putting-apartment-residents-waste-in-the-too-hard-basket-200545">We can't keep putting apartment residents' waste in the too hard basket</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>What can households do about their food waste?</h2>
<p>Reducing household food waste involves changing behaviours in both food management (“upstream”) and waste management (“downstream”). </p>
<p>Upstream measures aim to prevent food waste in the first place. For example, households can avoid buying or cooking too much food. Supporting households to plan and buy just the right amount of food is a great starting point.</p>
<p>Once food waste has been produced, downstream measures come into play. The focus shifts to how we handle and dispose of this waste. </p>
<p>When households engage in food waste recycling they <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su131911099">start thinking more</a> about their behaviour including purchasing and cooking.</p>
<p>In Australia, food waste management is mainly the responsibility of local councils. </p>
<p>There are three ways to target household food waste management and drive behavioural change:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>providing kerbside collection of food organics and garden organics, also known as “FOGO”</p></li>
<li><p>changing social norms around food waste</p></li>
<li><p>offering economic incentives and disincentives. </p></li>
</ul>
<h2>1. Providing a FOGO system</h2>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/553411/original/file-20231012-24-nqret2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A screenshot of the Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) interactive map, zoomed in on South Australia and the eastern states." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/553411/original/file-20231012-24-nqret2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/553411/original/file-20231012-24-nqret2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=727&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/553411/original/file-20231012-24-nqret2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=727&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/553411/original/file-20231012-24-nqret2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=727&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/553411/original/file-20231012-24-nqret2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=914&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/553411/original/file-20231012-24-nqret2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=914&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/553411/original/file-20231012-24-nqret2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=914&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The FOGO interactive map shows the local government areas that currently have a food waste collection service, data is current as of February 2023. Bright green is FOGO, dark green is garden organics only.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e6b5c78e1dac47f88e7e475ffacfc49b">The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Councils should provide this option at a minimum. This ensures sufficient infrastructure is available to support motivated households to sort food waste.</p>
<p>Unfortunately <a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e6b5c78e1dac47f88e7e475ffacfc49b">fewer than half of Australian councils</a> provide a garden organics system and only a quarter of councils provide a FOGO system. </p>
<p>You can explore <a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e6b5c78e1dac47f88e7e475ffacfc49b">the FOGO interactive map</a> to see how your area stacks up. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.greenindustries.sa.gov.au/resources/adelaide-metro-kerbside-waste-performance-report-2021-22">Most councils in metropolitan Adelaide</a> provide access to food waste recycling through the FOGO bin. But <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134636">our research</a> indicates more than half of household food waste still ends up in landfill. So we need additional programs to promote more sustainable behaviours.</p>
<h2>2. Changing social norms</h2>
<p>Social norms, the unspoken rules about what behaviours are deemed appropriate, can drive behavioural change. </p>
<p>Examples of promoting social norms around food waste reduction include a <a href="https://www.stopfoodwaste.com.au/stop-food-waste-nationwide-consumer-campaign-summit-communique/">nationwide consumer campaign</a> on stopping food waste and the <a href="https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/resident/recycling-waste/kitchen-caddies/">kitchen caddy</a> for benches to increase convenience for collecting food waste. </p>
<p>But our research suggests some groups, like slackers, remain unmotivated without additional incentives. Economic incentives might motivate this group to engage in more sustainable behaviours.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550948/original/file-20230928-27-m03u6f.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Closeup photo of a person scraping food scraps into a benchtop kitchen caddy with a compostable liner, for recycling in the food organics collection system" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550948/original/file-20230928-27-m03u6f.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550948/original/file-20230928-27-m03u6f.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=577&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550948/original/file-20230928-27-m03u6f.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=577&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550948/original/file-20230928-27-m03u6f.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=577&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550948/original/file-20230928-27-m03u6f.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=725&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550948/original/file-20230928-27-m03u6f.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=725&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550948/original/file-20230928-27-m03u6f.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=725&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A benchtop kitchen caddy with a compostable liner for food waste scraps, provided by Adelaide City Council.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Trang Nguyen</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>3. Economic incentives</h2>
<p>Currently, Australians pay for waste management through their council rates. This is a “pay-as-you-own” system.</p>
<p>The cost is determined by the property’s value, regardless of the amount of waste generated. Renters indirectly contribute to this cost by paying rent. </p>
<p>Neither owner-occupiers nor renters have any incentive to reduce waste generation when the cost is levied on property value rather than the amount of waste.</p>
<p>An alternative approach gaining momentum in other parts of the world is the “pay-as-you-throw” approach, such as <a href="https://www.collectors2020.eu/wcs-ppw/stockholm-se/">Stockholm</a> and <a href="https://pocacito.eu/sites/default/files/WasteCharging_Taipei.pdf">Taipei</a>. This system charges households based on the weight of their waste, usually the general waste that needs to be discarded in landfill, while the collection of food waste and other recyclables remains free to encourage waste sorting.</p>
<p>Recent <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137363">research</a> in Italy shows pay-as-you-throw schemes result in significant reductions in both the quantity of waste and costs associated with waste disposal in many Italian municipalities.</p>
<p>The reduced costs flow on to savings for councils that could potentially reduce waste management fees passed on to homeowners and renters through council rates. Giving households incentives to reduce waste and find alternatives to disposal encourages residents to place a higher value on food that may otherwise be sent to landfill.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/want-to-reduce-your-food-waste-at-home-here-are-the-6-best-evidence-based-ways-to-do-it-168561">Want to reduce your food waste at home? Here are the 6 best evidence-based ways to do it</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Reducing food waste is a win-win</h2>
<p>Tackling food waste is a win-win for people and the planet. It’s worth using various approaches to encourage people to change their behaviour.</p>
<p>Our findings can help inform the design of interventions aimed at reducing and sorting food waste in specific segments of the Australian population.</p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dx7RWtfgbVw?wmode=transparent&start=11" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">No time to waste: Halving Australia’s food waste by 2030 (Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre)</span></figcaption>
</figure><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/214482/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Trang Nguyen has received funding and is affiliated with the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Patrick O'Connor has received funding from the Australian Research Council, the South Australian, Victorian, New South Wales and Australian governments. He is a board director of the Nature Conservation Society of SA, a committee member of the Restoration Decade Alliance and a councillor of the Biodiversity Council.</span></em></p>A household survey has revealed three distinct patterns of consumer behaviour around food waste.Trang Nguyen, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of AdelaidePatrick O'Connor, Associate Professor, University of AdelaideLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2141532023-09-26T20:06:41Z2023-09-26T20:06:41ZNew study shows we can create value from food waste by turning it into a highly desirable material – nanocellulose<p>Food waste is a global problem with approximately <a href="https://www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/people-and-poverty/hunger-and-obesity/food-waste-statistics">1.3 billion tonnes</a> of food wasted each year throughout the food lifecycle – from the farm to food manufacturers and households.</p>
<p>Across the food supply chain, Australians waste around <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/food-waste">7.6 million tonnes</a> of food each year. This costs our economy <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/food-waste">approximately A$36.6 billion</a> annually. </p>
<p>In a recent study published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2023.101629">Bioresource Technology Reports</a>, we have found a way to use food waste for making a versatile material known as nanocellulose. In particular, we used acid whey – a significant dairy production waste material that it usually difficult to dispose of.</p>
<h2>Mixing waste with bacteria</h2>
<p>Nanocellulose is a biopolymer, which means it’s a naturally produced long chain of sugars. It has remarkable properties – bacterial nanocellulose is strong, chemically stable and biocompatible, meaning it’s not harmful to human cells. This makes it a highly marketable product with applications in packaging, wound treatments, drug delivery or food production. </p>
<p>The traditional approach for making nanocellulose can be expensive, uses large amounts of energy and takes a long time. Some types of nanocellulose production also use a chemical process that produces unwanted waste byproducts. </p>
<p>By contrast, our new approach uses just food waste and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY) – something you may be familiar with as a kombucha starter. Our process is low cost, consumes little energy and produces no waste.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-kombucha-and-how-do-the-health-claims-stack-up-87180">What is kombucha and how do the health claims stack up?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>We used a runny waste liquid known as acid whey from a local cheese manufacturer in Melbourne, Australia. In the dairy industry, acid whey is often disposed of as wastewater in large amounts (more than <a href="https://www.unimelb.edu.au/newsroom/news/2016/september/the-whey-to-go">100 million litres of acid whey</a> are produced annually in Australia alone), despite it being rich in carbohydrates and proteins. This is because it’s hard to process into other products due to a high lactic acid content. </p>
<p>We heat-treated the liquid and supplemented it with sugar and yeast extract before adding the key ingredient, SCOBY (obtained commercially from a Melbourne-based kombucha company).</p>
<p>Over four days as our mixture fermented, the bacteria worked to create nanocellulose material which floated to the top. Lovers of home-brewed kombucha may actually be familiar with the raw nanocellulose material – it forms as a floating off-white structure called a pellicle. Some people already use this kombucha by-product as <a href="https://www.instructables.com/Kombucha-Wallet/">vegan leather</a>.) A similar pellicle formed on our acid whey mixture. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550158/original/file-20230926-23-ylbqjc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A hand holding a gelatinous cream coloured substance shaped like a circle" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550158/original/file-20230926-23-ylbqjc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550158/original/file-20230926-23-ylbqjc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550158/original/file-20230926-23-ylbqjc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550158/original/file-20230926-23-ylbqjc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550158/original/file-20230926-23-ylbqjc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=633&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550158/original/file-20230926-23-ylbqjc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=633&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550158/original/file-20230926-23-ylbqjc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=633&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The pellicle - the white stuff that grows on top of a homemade kombucha brew - is actually a type of nanocellulose.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>A growing market</h2>
<p>Demand for nanocellulose is growing worldwide. The global market was valued at <a href="https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/nano-cellulose-market-56392090.html">US$0.4 billion in 2022</a> (A$0.6bn) and is expected to grow to US$2 billion by 2030 (A$3.1bn). Bacterial nanocellulose produced from food waste can help to satisfy this demand.</p>
<p>This growth is in part due to how we can use nanocellulose instead of petroleum-based and other non-renewable materials in things like packaging. Among its desirable properties, nanocellulose is also fully biodegradable.</p>
<p>Manufacturers around the globe are seeking sustainable sources of raw material for producing composite materials with various properties. Nanocellulose is easily customised in this way. For example, infusing nanocellulose with a compound called glycerol enhances its flexibility and makes it more pliant. As a food-safe material, we are now investigating nanocellulose as “smart” packaging by <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2023-08-14/food-waste-turned-into-packaging-to-save-produce-from-landfill/102718618">infusing nanocellulose with indicators</a> that signal when food is no longer safe to eat.</p>
<p>Additionally, using a single source of food waste (such as acid whey in our example) means we can produce highly pure nanocellulose – ideal for biomedical applications, such as wound dressings, pharmaceutical compounding and cell cultures.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550159/original/file-20230926-25-yhq86c.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A white filmy material draped across a person's forearm" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550159/original/file-20230926-25-yhq86c.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550159/original/file-20230926-25-yhq86c.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550159/original/file-20230926-25-yhq86c.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550159/original/file-20230926-25-yhq86c.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550159/original/file-20230926-25-yhq86c.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550159/original/file-20230926-25-yhq86c.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550159/original/file-20230926-25-yhq86c.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">An example of nanocellulose material that could be used for wound dressing.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Efficient circular economy</h2>
<p>A circular economy attempts to minimise waste and extend the lifecycle of products for as long as possible. Our study demonstrates an efficient circular economy approach for upcycling a dairy industry waste product into sustainable nanocellulose.</p>
<p>Additionally, the sediment residue we produced has a high nutrient value and potentially has commercial value as a fertiliser or animal feed, while the liquid culture can be reused for the next batch. </p>
<p>Our study was limited to a single source of food waste within a laboratory environment. A future challenge will be taking this approach out of the lab and scaling it up for commercial use. This will involve a series of steps throughout the value chain from waste collection and transport through to commercial production.</p>
<p>We also hope to explore alternative mediums such as mixed food waste. More research also needs to be done on how nanocellulose can be most effectively customised for various applications, such as different types of food packaging.</p>
<p>Overall, our proof-of-concept study demonstrates potential for producing nanocellulose in a sustainable, environmentally sound manner – from food waste to significant value.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-a-circular-economy-29666">Explainer: What is a circular economy? </a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/214153/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>We can’t entirely eliminate food waste – but we can find cheap ways to turn it into something useful.Alan Labas, Lecturer in Management, Federation University AustraliaBenjamin Matthew Long, Senior Lecturer, Chemistry, Federation University AustraliaDylan Liu, Lecturer in Food Science and Sustainability, Federation University AustraliaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2118252023-08-22T20:05:20Z2023-08-22T20:05:20ZBetter than net zero? Making the promised 1.2 million homes climate-friendly would transform construction in Australia<p>The national cabinet has <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/meeting-national-cabinet-working-together-deliver-better-housing-outcomes">announced</a> plans to build an extra 1.2 million homes by July 1 2029. The construction, operation and maintenance of buildings accounts for <a href="https://theconversation.com/buildings-produce-25-of-australias-emissions-what-will-it-take-to-make-them-green-and-wholl-pay-105652">almost a quarter</a> of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. If these new homes are built in a business-as-usual fashion, they will significantly increase national greenhouse gas emissions.</p>
<p>What if we committed to building homes that produced <a href="https://theconversation.com/net-zero-carbon-neutral-carbon-negative-confused-by-all-the-carbon-jargon-then-read-this-151382">net negative emissions</a>?
Put simply, such buildings <a href="https://carboncredits.com/carbon-negative-building-materials/">remove more carbon dioxide</a> (CO₂) from the atmosphere than are emitted during their lifecycle. This includes emissions from producing building materials and construction through to the end of building life and demolition. </p>
<p>Building <a href="https://whitearkitekter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/20210903_Sara_Carbon-budget-2.pdf">net-negative-emissions</a> homes can be done. <a href="https://www.modcell.com/projects/">Examples</a> have already <a href="https://whitearkitekter.com/news/sara-cultural-centre-opens-one-of-the-worlds-tallest-timber-buildings/">been built</a> overseas. </p>
<p>Building these homes in Australia would do much more than reduce national emissions. It would be a tangible symbol of our commitment to integrated problem-solving, in this case involving both housing and a climate-friendly future. We could produce houses that are part of the climate solution, not a big part of the problem. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/national-cabinets-new-housing-plan-could-save-renters-billions-211696">National Cabinet’s new housing plan could save renters billions</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>So how do we build these homes?</h2>
<p>Building homes that reduce rather than add to CO₂ emissions will require different planning, design, materials and construction methods. </p>
<p>For a start, the <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/orientation">orientation</a> of the buildings will have to be improved. In southern Australia, for example, ensuring living areas face north will reduce the need for heating by achieving greater sun exposure in winter. In summer, shade from the eaves of rooftops or awnings will help keep the home cool.</p>
<p>The design would use passive house principles. These require much <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/insulation">better insulation</a> to keep heat in during winter, and out during summer. Building airtight homes – known as a <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/ventilation-airtightness">tight building envelope</a> – avoids unwelcome heat gain or loss. </p>
<p>A house built like this <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17452007.2021.1901220">massively reduces energy use</a> in both winter and summer. Better thermal comfort is good for the <a href="https://theconversation.com/feeling-frozen-4-out-of-5-homes-in-southern-australia-are-colder-than-is-healthy-205293">occupants’ health</a> too.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/feeling-frozen-4-out-of-5-homes-in-southern-australia-are-colder-than-is-healthy-205293">Feeling frozen? 4 out of 5 homes in southern Australia are colder than is healthy</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Better planning includes providing tree cover and green space to moderate increasingly <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6458494/">extreme temperatures</a> and <a href="https://helenclark.foundation/publications-and-medias/sponge-cities/">flooding</a>. Tree cover and green space also <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12938">encourage active travel</a> such as walking and cycling, which has <a href="https://cur.org.au/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/active-transport-policy-brief.pdf">many benefits</a>. </p>
<p>Using materials such as <a href="https://www.boral.com.au/products/concrete/lower-carbon-concrete">low-emission concrete</a> and <a href="https://adaptavate.com/breathaboard-breathable-plasterboard/">negative-emission plasterboard</a>, which absorbs CO₂ from the air, can reduce the emissions associated with construction. Homes with solar panels or solar tiles, integrated with batteries and all-electric appliances, can produce more energy than they use during their operation. They’re <a href="https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0035/668591/save-money-and-the-environment-with-your-new-all-electric-home.pdf">budget-friendly</a> too. </p>
<p>At the end of the building’s life, recycling the materials <a href="https://theconversation.com/turning-the-housing-crisis-around-how-a-circular-economy-can-give-us-affordable-sustainable-homes-208745">in a circular economy</a> will reduce waste. Currently, building activity <a href="https://theconversation.com/building-activity-produces-18-of-emissions-and-a-shocking-40-of-our-landfill-waste-we-must-move-to-a-circular-economy-heres-how-206188">accounts for 40%</a> of our landfill waste.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/turning-the-housing-crisis-around-how-a-circular-economy-can-give-us-affordable-sustainable-homes-208745">Turning the housing crisis around: how a circular economy can give us affordable, sustainable homes</a>
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<p>Have we the capacity to do most of this right now? Yes. Examples of buildings with low, zero or negative net emissions already exist in the <a href="https://www.modcell.com/projects/">United Kingdom</a> and the <a href="https://whitearkitekter.com/news/sara-cultural-centre-opens-one-of-the-worlds-tallest-timber-buildings/">European Union</a>. </p>
<p>And more options are coming online every day. There are so many opportunities to demonstrate best practice and produce houses of the future efficiently. </p>
<p>Even now, sustainable buildings cost little more upfront. The premium for sustainability ranges from <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283740202_Green_buildings_cost_premium_A_review_of_empirical_evidence">-0.4% to 21%</a> compared to a conventional building. And they save from 24% to 28% on running costs <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328138784_Life_Cycle_Cost_analysis_green_vs_conventional_buildings_in_Sri_Lanka">over their lifetime</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="View of cycle path, benches and gardens running along the edge of white modern apartment buildings" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543842/original/file-20230822-23-rxg7pm.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543842/original/file-20230822-23-rxg7pm.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=307&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543842/original/file-20230822-23-rxg7pm.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=307&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543842/original/file-20230822-23-rxg7pm.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=307&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543842/original/file-20230822-23-rxg7pm.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=385&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543842/original/file-20230822-23-rxg7pm.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=385&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543842/original/file-20230822-23-rxg7pm.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=385&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">In the 116-hectare Bahnstadt development in Germany, every building complies with passive design principles – from apartments and laboratories to shops, daycare facilities and schools, even the fire station and cinema.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bahnstadt-Promenade-Heidelberg-009_%2814216232284%29.jpg">HDValentin/Wikimedia Commons</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>And what is the role of government?</h2>
<p>The benefits of aiming for net-negative-emissions housing are many. It would reskill the building sector, generate new industries, build confidence in public policy, boost national pride and show that governments can solve problems in ways that tackle social equity, health and environmental concerns. </p>
<p>However, realising such ambitions requires action on several fronts.</p>
<p>First, it requires political <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-world-has-changed-why-anthony-albanese-must-up-the-ante-on-climate-policy-at-labors-national-conference-211605">will to take ambitious action</a> on climate change. Implementation calls for skilful execution and sharing of risks between government and industry. This can be done by, for example, subsidising training and certification in the use of new building materials and approaches and supporting the industry to make these changes. </p>
<p>Climate-friendly building technology is now <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-third-of-our-waste-comes-from-buildings-this-ones-designed-for-reuse-and-cuts-emissions-by-88-147455">demonstrated</a> in buildings across Australia. Building 1.2 million homes that use such technology would scale it up, driving down costs. Building this many climate-friendly homes would be good for developing future-ready trade and professional skills and the capacity of the local building industry supply chain. </p>
<p>Second, the Commonwealth would need to adopt clear targets and criteria. The states, territories and building industry should then be left to work out how best to meet them in different local circumstances. </p>
<p>Third, any national housing programs should be a catalyst for good design and innovation in construction. This includes mandating emission and energy targets for the promised new housing stock. For example, New Zealand <a href="https://www.building.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/building-code-compliance/h1-energy-efficiency/asvm/h1-energy-efficiency-vm2-1st-edition-amendment-1.pdf">mandates</a> that new buildings are constructed to provide thermal resistance.</p>
<p>New housing programs should also promote innovative designs. This could include sponsoring prizes for excellence in sustainable housing. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-net-zero-and-passive-houses-can-cut-carbon-emissions-and-energy-bills-148587">How 'net-zero' and 'passive' houses can cut carbon emissions — and energy bills</a>
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<p>Fourth, new housing programs should deliver system-wide solutions integrated with energy and water networks. Progress has begun on updating urban systems in line with climate-friendly design principles for water and energy. </p>
<p>For example, <a href="https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/environment/waterways/the-hornsby-water-cycle/water-sensitive-urban-design-wsud">Hornsby Shire Council</a> has been applying water-sensitive urban design principles since the 1990s through the use of rainwater tanks, biofilters and raingardens, stormwater harvesting and wastewater recycling and reuse. The ACT government has <a href="https://www.planning.act.gov.au/planning-our-city/water-sensitive-urban-design">adopted these principles</a> in its <a href="https://www.planning.act.gov.au/planning-our-city/territory-plan">Territory Plan</a>. </p>
<p>The knowledge exists to create suburbs that <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/renewable/community-batteries">generate and store their own electricity</a>. Community batteries are operating in <a href="https://www.yef.org.au/community-batteries/yarra-community-battery-trial/">North Fitzroy</a> and in <a href="https://www.westernpower.com.au/faqs/community-batteries/community-batteries/where-are-the-community-batteries-located/">suburbs across Western Australia</a>. The ACT has plans for a <a href="https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/policy-programs/big-canberra-battery">community battery</a> serving the whole territory.</p>
<p>As anyone with a mortgage knows, houses are long-term commitments. Building all of the promised 1.2 million homes in a future-friendly way would show our governments recognise both the long-term imperative of climate action and this immediate opportunity.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/211825/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>We can construct buildings that reduce atmospheric CO₂ by more than their lifetime emissions. They now don’t cost much more – and a project involving 1.2 million homes would drive costs down further.Jason Alexandra, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National UniversityKate Lawrence, Climate Program Manager, Institute of Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National UniversityMark Howden, Director, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2106972023-08-07T20:02:11Z2023-08-07T20:02:11ZControversial ‘forever chemicals’ could be phased out in Australia under new restrictions. Here’s what you need to know<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/541416/original/file-20230807-20-siq78h.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=50%2C30%2C6659%2C4436&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/tasty-food-containers-wooden-knife-fork-2320021427">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>There’s growing global concern about potential risks to human health and the environment from a group of industrial chemicals commonly known as PFAS, or “forever chemicals”.</p>
<p>While the full extent of harm from PFAS is still emerging, the fact these chemicals persist in the environment and accumulate in the body is alarming enough. Some scientists believe they will <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.2c02765">never break down</a>.</p>
<p>Until now, Australia has not restricted the trade or use of most PFAS chemicals. But that’s about to change. </p>
<p>The federal government intends to stop the import, manufacture and use of some types of PFAS within two years. We want to raise awareness and encourage industry to be proactive about finding alternatives. The sooner industry acts on this, the faster we can eliminate PFAS from the products we use and our waste. With untold benefits for people and our planet.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/pfas-might-be-everywhere-including-toilet-paper-but-lets-keep-the-health-risks-in-context-201785">PFAS might be everywhere – including toilet paper – but let's keep the health risks in context</a>
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<h2>Hang on, what is PFAS again?</h2>
<p>PFAS (or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a group of around <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-are-pfas-the-forever-chemicals-showing-up-in-drinking-water-an-environmental-health-scientist-explains-185015">9,000</a> individual chemical compounds found in many everyday products. </p>
<p>These complex substances are made by joining carbon and fluorine atoms, creating one of the strongest bonds in organic chemistry. As a result, they are stain-resistant, water-resistant, grease-resistant and heat-resistant. That makes them enormously useful in products such as food packaging, non-stick cookware, semiconductors and other electronics, refrigerants, stain or waterproof textiles and cosmetics. PFAS has even been found in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/13/toxic-forever-chemicals-pfas-toilet-paper">toilet paper</a>. </p>
<p>But PFAS chemicals also appear to be toxic. They have been linked to a range of <a href="https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/etc.4890">human</a> and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/10/2/44">environmental health problems</a>. </p>
<p>The use of potentially hazardous chemicals such as PFAS also undermines recycling and the <a href="https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview">circular economy</a>. Compost made from food and garden organics may be <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666765722000102">contaminated</a> through packaging and other sources. PFAS in sewage also challenges the use of <a href="https://theconversation.com/forever-chemicals-have-made-their-way-to-farms-for-now-levels-in-your-food-are-low-but-theres-no-time-to-waste-192402">biosolids</a> as fertiliser on farms. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/forever-chemicals-have-made-their-way-to-farms-for-now-levels-in-your-food-are-low-but-theres-no-time-to-waste-192402">'Forever chemicals' have made their way to farms. For now, levels in your food are low – but there's no time to waste</a>
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<h2>What is changing and what will this mean?</h2>
<p>The federal government recently reviewed the industrial chemical regulatory frameworks protecting human and environmental health. As a result, the federal, state and territory governments established the new Australian <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/chemicals-management/national-standard">Industrial Chemical Environmental Management Standard</a> in 2021. </p>
<p>Chemicals with industrial applications are placed into <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/chemicals-management/national-standard/roadmap">one of seven categories</a> or “schedules”, according to the level of environmental risk they represent. The standard sets out the measures required to manage such risks.</p>
<p>Schedule 7 is reserved for industrial chemicals likely to cause serious or irreversible harm to the environment. </p>
<p>Last month, the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water announced its <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/news/consultation-open-pfas-pecb-management-standards">intention</a> to regulate three groups of PFAS chemicals and pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) under Schedule 7.</p>
<p>This means businesses will have to stop importing, manufacturing or using these PFAS groups, either as bulk chemicals or in consumer products. </p>
<p>Schedule 7 also states “<a href="https://treaties.un.org/doc/publication/unts/volume%201522/volume-1522-i-26369-english.pdf">no essential uses</a>”. This means the chemicals cannot be used, even when it is necessary for the health, safety or functioning of society, or when there are no other available alternatives. </p>
<p>The timing of the proposed Australian restrictions aligns with the <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32019R1021">EU phase-out</a>. The <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/03/14/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-takes-new-action-to-protect-communities-from-pfas-pollution/">United States</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/canada-takes-first-step-to-regulate-toxic-forever-chemicals-but-is-it-enough-207288">Canada</a> are also pursuing similar action. </p>
<p>Increasingly, countries are pursuing coordinated regulatory actions that will shift market standards around industrial chemical use and management.</p>
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<h2>What should business do?</h2>
<p>At this stage, <a href="https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/2021-04/UTS_Chemical_Sustainability_report_2020_WEB.pdf">research indicates</a> low levels of industry awareness and action globally. Industry risks being caught short, facing the economic and administrative consequences of compliance when new rules come into effect. </p>
<p>Phasing out potentially hazardous chemicals such as PFAS will require careful consideration of both risk and technical function. In many cases, products have been designed around these chemicals. This means substitutions will need to be found. However, businesses also need to be aware of the potential for “regrettable substitution”, where a potentially hazardous chemical is replaced by a similar, but lesser-known chemical that also threatens human health and the environment. </p>
<p>There are some tools available to help find safe alternatives. For example, the European non-government organisation ChemSec has compiled a <a href="https://sinlist.chemsec.org/">database</a> of hazardous chemicals that are likely to be regulated in future, if not already, and a <a href="https://marketplace.chemsec.org/">marketplace</a> for safe substitutions.</p>
<p>In some cases, avoiding regrettable substitution will necessitate rethinking how the function of a product can be delivered in an entirely new way. </p>
<p>Market-leading businesses are experimenting with recent advances in engineering, material sciences, and technology to redesign products without hazardous chemicals. </p>
<p>For example, outdoor-wear companies have redesigned textiles to deliver waterproof products without PFAS chemicals. The North Face has started using an advanced material called “<a href="https://thenorthface.com.au/explore-technologies/technologies-futurelight.html">FUTURELIGHT</a>”, which uses nanotechnology to create a waterproof nano-fibre structure. Helly Hansen introduced “<a href="https://hellyhansen.com.au/pages/lifa-infinity-pro%E2%84%A2">Lifa Infinity Pro</a>” that uses advanced textile engineering to create a hydrophobic (water-hating) material, without having to add chemicals.</p>
<p>Emerging new services design-out problematic products entirely. For example, <a href="https://theconversation.com/recycling-plastic-bottles-is-good-but-reusing-them-is-better-126339">reusable food packaging services</a>, intended to address the environmental impacts of single-use-packaging, generally use reusable materials such as stainless steel that do not require hazardous chemicals to function. </p>
<p>In support of industry action, governments industry, universities and non-governmental organisations are helping support better chemical management.
For example, ChemSec has convened an <a href="https://chemsec.org/knowledge/iihc/">Investor Initiative on Hazardous Chemicals</a> to help reduce the impacts of hazardous chemicals, while also reducing financial risks to investors. Or in Australia, the <a href="https://stewardshipexcellence.com.au/">Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence</a> is providing <a href="https://stewardshipexcellence.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/WHITEPAPER_Chemicals-of-concern_FINAL-1.pdf">tools</a> for business and government to ensure safe, clean supply chains. </p>
<p>Governments also have a role to play in helping business transition away from hazardous chemicals. They can encourage business to take a whole-of-system approach to reducing chemicals across supply chains. This might involve tracking and tracing mechanisms, certification and labelling, or supporting research into <a href="https://www.turi.org/">safer alternatives</a>.</p>
<p>The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is inviting <a href="https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/ichems-s17-proposed-decisions">feedback on the proposed scheduling decisions</a> before submissions close on September 1 this year. The government says feedback will help Australian governments and businesses to better manage the environmental risks of these chemicals.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/youve-read-the-scary-headlines-but-rest-assured-your-cookware-is-safe-199967">You've read the scary headlines – but rest assured, your cookware is safe</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/210697/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Rachael Wakefield-Rann receives research funding from various government and non-government organisations. She does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would financially benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond her academic appointment.
</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Sarah Wilson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>New restrictions on PFAS and other potentially hazardous chemicals in Australia present an opportunity for industry to develop alternatives for new, safe and clean products.Sarah Wilson, PhD Candidate in Nanotechnology & Innovation Governance, University of Technology SydneyRachael Wakefield-Rann, Senior Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2096012023-07-17T04:42:27Z2023-07-17T04:42:27ZIn a Barbie world … after the movie frenzy fades, how do we avoid tonnes of Barbie dolls going to landfill?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/537662/original/file-20230717-152675-bv3ct.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C2966%2C2365&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>It made headlines around the world when the much-hyped Barbie movie contributed to a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jun/05/barbie-film-required-so-much-pink-paint-it-contributed-to-worldwide-shortage">world shortage</a> of fluorescent pink paint. </p>
<p>But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. When movies or TV shows become cultural phenomena, toymakers jump on board. And that comes with a surprisingly large amount of plastic waste. Think of the fad for <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51554386">Baby Yoda dolls</a> after the first season of The Mandalorian in 2020. When the Barbie movie comes out this week, it’s bound to trigger a wave of doll purchases over and above the <a href="https://environment-review.yale.edu/most-materials-are-recyclable-so-why-cant-childrens-toys-be-sustainable">60 million Barbies</a> already sold annually. </p>
<p>Toys are the most plastic-intensive consumer goods in the world, <a href="https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25302/Valuing_Plastic_ES.pdf">according to</a> a 2014 United Nations Environment Program report. </p>
<p>Worse, very few toys are recycled. That’s often because they can’t be – they’re made of a complex mixture of plastics, metals and electronics. When children get bored, these toys often end up in landfill. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/537652/original/file-20230717-226753-f52ks8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="barbie dolls market" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/537652/original/file-20230717-226753-f52ks8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/537652/original/file-20230717-226753-f52ks8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537652/original/file-20230717-226753-f52ks8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537652/original/file-20230717-226753-f52ks8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537652/original/file-20230717-226753-f52ks8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537652/original/file-20230717-226753-f52ks8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537652/original/file-20230717-226753-f52ks8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Plastic fantastic: Barbie dolls for sale at an open air market in Thailand.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Panya Anakotmankong/Shutterstock</span></span>
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<h2>The toll of the dolls</h2>
<p>Consider a single Barbie doll. What did it cost to create? </p>
<p>Before the US-China trade war, <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Big-Story/China-s-toy-making-capital-scrambles-to-reinvent-itself">half the world’s toys</a> were manufactured in Dongguan, a city in China. That included one in three Barbie dolls. </p>
<p>American researchers <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352550922000550">last year quantified</a> what each doll costs the climate. Every 182 gram doll caused about 660 grams of carbon emissions, including plastic production, manufacture and transport. </p>
<p>The researchers analysed seven other types of toys, including Lego sets and Jenga. By my calculations, emissions on average across all these types of toys are about 4.5 kilograms per kilogram of toys.</p>
<p>Scaled up, this is considerable. In the US, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/21/plastics-greenhouse-gas-emissions-climate-crisis">it’s estimated</a> emissions from the plastics industry will overtake those from coal within seven years. </p>
<p>So the question is, how can we cut our emissions to zero as fast as possible to ensure we and our children have a liveable climate – without putting a blanket ban on plastic toys? After all, toys and entertainment add happiness to our lives. </p>
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<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-marketing-tricks-that-have-kept-barbies-brand-alive-for-over-60-years-200844">The marketing tricks that have kept Barbie's brand alive for over 60 years</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>The role for toymakers and governments</h2>
<p>To date, there has been little focus on making the toy industry more sustainable. But it shouldn’t escape our notice. </p>
<p>Toy manufacturers can – and should – use low carbon materials and supply chains, and focus on making toys easily dissembled. Toys should be as light as possible, to minimise transport emissions. And battery-powered toys should be avoided wherever possible, as they <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352550922000550">can double</a> a toy’s climate impact and turn a plastic waste problem into an electronic waste problem. To their credit, some toymakers <a href="https://time.com/6126981/my-kids-want-plastic-toys-i-want-to-go-green-heres-a-fix/">have cut back</a> on plastic in their packaging, given packaging immediately becomes waste. </p>
<p>In a welcome move, the maker of Barbie, Mattel, launched their own recycling scheme in 2021, allowing buyers to send back old toys to be turned into new ones. This scheme isn’t available in Australia, however. </p>
<p>Toymakers can help at the design stage by choosing the materials they use carefully. Governments can encourage this by penalising cheap, high-environmental-impact plastics. We can look to the <a href="https://www.clientearth.org/latest/press-office/press-list/eu-court-delivers-final-blow-to-plastics-industry-on-bpa/">European</a> and American bans on BPA-containing plastics in infant milk bottles as an example of what’s possible. Governments can set up effective recovery and recycling systems able to handle toys. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/537656/original/file-20230717-226753-b71osm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="plastic toys rubbish" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/537656/original/file-20230717-226753-b71osm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/537656/original/file-20230717-226753-b71osm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537656/original/file-20230717-226753-b71osm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537656/original/file-20230717-226753-b71osm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537656/original/file-20230717-226753-b71osm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537656/original/file-20230717-226753-b71osm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/537656/original/file-20230717-226753-b71osm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Toys can easily become waste.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
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<p>Some plastic-dependent brands such as Lego are unilaterally moving away from petrochemical-based plastic in favour of sugarcane-based plastic. But it’s not a <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/lego-sustainable-bricks/">short-term project</a>. </p>
<p>While Barbie dolls had an <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-24/barbie-s-pandemic-sales-boom-followed-yearslong-revamp-at-mattel">uptick in popularity</a> during the pandemic years – and will no doubt have another surge alongside the movie – longer-term trends are dampening plastic toy impact. While movies in the 1980s were often “<a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/toyetic?s=t">toyetic</a>” – conceived with an eye to toy sales – the trend is on the wane. </p>
<p>Gaming, for instance, has moved to centre stage for many older children. While gaming produces e-waste streams, it is also a likely cause of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/apr/05/lights-camera-but-no-action-figures-are-movie-toys-going-out-of-fashion">longer-term fall</a> in popularity of plastic toys. </p>
<h2>What should we do?</h2>
<p>If you’re a parent or an indulgent grandparent, it’s hard to avoid buying toys entirely – especially if your child gets obsessed with Barbie dolls after seeing the movie. So what should you do? </p>
<p>For starters, we can avoid cheap and nasty toys which are likely to break very quickly. Instead, look for toys which will last – and which will lend themselves to longer-term creative play. Think of the enduring popularity of brick-based toys or magnetic tiles. Look for secondhand toys. And look for toys made of simpler materials able to be recycled at the end of their lives – or even for the Barbie dolls made out of <a href="https://www.today.com/shop/mattel-barbie-doll-recycled-plastic-t221461">ocean plastics</a>. </p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-find-the-most-sustainable-and-long-lasting-childrens-toys-125968">How to find the most sustainable and long-lasting children's toys</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/209601/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Alan Pears does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Toys are the most plastic-intensive consumer goods in the world. So how can we avoid movie tie-in fads adding to the surging plastic waste problem?Alan Pears, Senior Industry Fellow, RMIT UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2087452023-07-11T20:06:13Z2023-07-11T20:06:13ZTurning the housing crisis around: how a circular economy can give us affordable, sustainable homes<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/536705/original/file-20230711-27-ldp7md.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C5%2C3402%2C2256&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Landcorp's White Gum Valley development is a sustainable housing project in WA.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Josh Byrne & Associates</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Households across Australia are struggling with soaring energy and housing costs and a lack of housing options. Mixed with a climate crisis, economic volatility and social inequality, it’s a potent set of policy problems. Australia needs a circuit-breaker – a bold national project to tackle the climate crisis and support households by shifting to a more sustainable housing industry.</p>
<p>This is a project based on <a href="https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview">circular economy principles</a>. The emphasis is on reducing materials and resources, optimising building lifespan, designing for reuse and zero waste, and regenerating nature. By getting the most out of finite resources, we can minimise waste and shrink our carbon footprint. </p>
<p>Our <a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/403">research</a> for the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) applies these principles to housing. We developed a comprehensive strategy for the sector’s transition to a circular economy. It gives priority to local jobs, access to affordable housing, resilient and functional design, and carbon-neutral, energy-efficient operation. </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1675960339807223808"}"></div></p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/building-activity-produces-18-of-emissions-and-a-shocking-40-of-our-landfill-waste-we-must-move-to-a-circular-economy-heres-how-206188">Building activity produces 18% of emissions and a shocking 40% of our landfill waste. We must move to a circular economy – here’s how</a>
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<hr>
<h2>Solving two problems at once</h2>
<p>The circular economy offers answers to the dual challenges of housing affordability and sustainability. These solutions work across households, renters and owners. </p>
<p>Both the climate crisis and the human right to adequate housing demand urgent policy responses. Despite this, new energy-efficiency standards that the nation’s building ministers <a href="https://theconversation.com/7-star-housing-is-a-step-towards-zero-carbon-but-theres-much-more-to-do-starting-with-existing-homes-189542">had agreed</a> would take effect in October this year have since <a href="https://thefifthestate.com.au/innovation/building-construction/victoria-kicks-the-can-down-the-road-again-on-the-national-construction-code/">been delayed</a> in a majority of states. </p>
<p>Standards are the key to unlocking the shift needed to deliver housing that is both affordable and sustainable. In combination with fiscal and financial policy frameworks, business support schemes and education and training, the housing industry can develop its capacity to embrace and exceed standards. Australian households and the planet will benefit.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1668409706468212736"}"></div></p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/7-star-housing-is-a-step-towards-zero-carbon-but-theres-much-more-to-do-starting-with-existing-homes-189542">7-star housing is a step towards zero carbon – but there's much more to do, starting with existing homes</a>
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</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>How can Australia lift its game?</h2>
<p>Housing policymakers across Asia and Europe are actively <a href="https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy-action-plan_en">pursuing circular economy goals</a>. As a result, Australia can learn from a wide range of circular economy approaches. Using better designs, techniques and materials, we can readily reduce the carbon footprint of our housing. </p>
<p>As the AHURI report details, a step change of comprehensive housing reforms that lead to more affordable housing and energy bills can also deliver greater resilience and social justice. The strategy identifies four areas of reform:</p>
<ul>
<li>assign a higher value to the sustainability of housing</li>
<li>shift market processes</li>
<li>tilt investment flows by providing incentives for circular housing designs and projects </li>
<li>build the sector’s capacities to deliver sustainable outcomes.</li>
</ul>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/535993/original/file-20230706-17-tzuxhg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/535993/original/file-20230706-17-tzuxhg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/535993/original/file-20230706-17-tzuxhg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=227&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/535993/original/file-20230706-17-tzuxhg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=227&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/535993/original/file-20230706-17-tzuxhg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=227&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/535993/original/file-20230706-17-tzuxhg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=285&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/535993/original/file-20230706-17-tzuxhg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=285&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/535993/original/file-20230706-17-tzuxhg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=285&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The four areas of reform in a national circular economy housing strategy.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/sites/default/files/documents/2023-07/Executive-Summary-FR403a-Informing-a-strategy-for-circular-economy-housing-in-Australia.pdf">Informing a strategy for circular economy housing in Australia/AHURI</a>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
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<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/our-buildings-are-driving-us-closer-to-climate-hell-how-do-we-get-back-on-course-to-net-zero-194166">Our buildings are driving us closer to 'climate hell' – how do we get back on course to net zero?</a>
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</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Our research also recognises the specific forms of housing and the supply chains of materials to build them. These forms include residential neighbourhoods and precincts, new and renovated apartments, and social housing. </p>
<p>Internationally, we see a growing number of “<a href="https://thefifthestate.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Precincts_ebook_final-double-page.pdf">eco-precincts</a>” – walkable, sustainable, mixed-use developments. However, these are still seen as niche experiments, individual and not joined together across neighbourhoods.</p>
<p>Australian apartment building standards also leave much room for improvement. Robust and specific regulations to embed the circular economy in the construction, use and reuse of apartment buildings would provide clarity for the industry. </p>
<p>Apartment projects typically involve major developers and lenders. As a result, success with circular economy practices in this part of the housing sector can be a catalyst for adopting them more widely. </p>
<p>And because a <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/housing/housing-census/latest-release">high proportion of apartments</a> are rented in Australia, higher energy standards for rental properties can help counter increasing energy poverty. </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1357377841718046721"}"></div></p>
<p>In social housing, tenant preferences are rarely considered in sustainable retrofits. Circular economy retrofitting delivers benefits for both landlords and tenants, through better design and lower bills. </p>
<p>Energy efficiency and alternative energy technologies have largely driven sustainable retrofit activity in Australia. Less attention has been paid to other circular economy housing priorities. Much more work must be done to extend housing lifespans and ensure passive design as standard practice, drawing on natural sources of heating and cooling such as sunshine and ventilation. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-is-facing-a-450-000-tonne-mountain-of-used-solar-panels-heres-how-to-turn-it-into-a-valuable-asset-204792">Australia is facing a 450,000-tonne mountain of used solar panels. Here's how to turn it into a valuable asset</a>
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<p>We lack adequate data tracking material stocks and flows through the housing sector, including for retrofits. This applies to both new and recycled/reused materials in the construction and demolition waste streams. </p>
<p>Our analysis shows the use of concrete in housing continues to increase. This means <a href="https://phys.org/news/2022-06-cement-carbon-dioxide-emissions-quietly.html">concrete-related emissions</a> are increasing too. Better data systems to track material flows would give us a clearer picture of where to target efforts to reduce embodied carbon in housing.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/a-third-of-our-waste-comes-from-buildings-this-ones-designed-for-reuse-and-cuts-emissions-by-88-147455">A third of our waste comes from buildings. This one's designed for reuse and cuts emissions by 88%</a>
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<h2>Towards a national strategy</h2>
<p>Radical decarbonisation is needed. It won’t happen without big shifts in practices and materials. </p>
<p>Circular economy housing is a social project as much as a regulatory reform. Success depends on buy-in to the whole process across all levels of government, civil society, private sector and education and training institutions. </p>
<p>Simply relying on market demand to drive the supply of circular goods and services neglects the nature of current supply chains and the weakness of consumer voices. In particular, the one in three households that are tenants have little say in how sustainable their housing is. Stronger partnerships between governments, private developers and local communities are needed to deliver the scale of change required.</p>
<p>The housing industry can step up, with the support of policy incentives, to embrace leading circular economy practice. Housing has a big role to play in the economy-wide changes needed to achieve sustainable use of materials and net-zero emissions.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/208745/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Ralph Horne has received funding from various organisations including the Australian Research Council, Victorian Government and various industry partners. He led the research underpinning this article which was funded by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute: 'PRO 53280 - Inquiry into housing in a circular economy'. The AHURI report was co-authored by researchers at RMIT University (Ralph Horne, Louise Dorignon, Julie Lawson, Trivess Moore, Tony Dalton), UNSW (Hazel Easthope, Hal Pawson), University of South Australia (Stefanie Dühr), University of Adelaide (Emma Baker) and University of Tasmania (Peter Fairbrother).</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Julie Lawson receives funding from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute and co-operates with Housing Europe which supports a circular approach to affordable and inclusive housing. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Louise Dorignon has received funding from various organisations including the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute and various industry partners.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Trivess Moore has received funding from various organisations including the Australian Research Council, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Victorian Government and various industry partners. He is a trustee of the Fuel Poverty Research Network.</span></em></p>A new report outlines a comprehensive strategy for Australia to reduce the carbon footprint of our homes while making them more comfortable and affordable.Ralph Horne, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research & Innovation, College of Design & Social Context, RMIT UniversityJulie Lawson, Adjunct Professor, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT UniversityLouise Dorignon, Vice-Chancellor Postdoctoral Research Fellow, RMIT UniversityTrivess Moore, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2061882023-06-06T02:21:12Z2023-06-06T02:21:12ZBuilding activity produces 18% of emissions and a shocking 40% of our landfill waste. We must move to a circular economy – here’s how<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529530/original/file-20230601-25-k0dgno.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C4475%2C2974&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Architecture, engineering and construction employ <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-10-2020-0154">1.2 million people</a> in Australia and account for <a href="https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2983477707">9% of GDP</a>. But our biggest services sector also produces roughly <a href="https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2983477707">40% of landfill waste</a> and accounts for <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.04.180">18.1% of Australia’s carbon footprint</a>. The sector must change its practices fast for Australia to meet its commitments to cut emissions under the Paris Agreement. </p>
<p>A circular economic model can help solve the environmental challenges created by our built environment – water, waste and power systems, transport infrastructure and the buildings we live and work in. A <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-a-circular-economy-29666">circular economy</a> involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling materials and products for as long as possible. </p>
<p>Circular economy principles have gained recognition from all levels of government in Australia. But there’s a big gap between acknowledgement and action. Progress towards systemic change has been very limited.</p>
<p>A <a href="https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/253896506?keyword=circular%20economy%20deakin">new report</a> by university and industry experts lays out a roadmap to a circular economy. Those working in the sector reported the top three barriers as: a lack of incentives, a lack of specific regulations, and a lack of knowledge. The top three enablers were: research and development of enabling technologies, education of stakeholders, and evidence of the circular economy’s added value. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-needs-construction-waste-recycling-plants-but-locals-first-need-to-be-won-over-161888">Australia needs construction waste recycling plants — but locals first need to be won over</a>
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<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/igiE6dwE8QI?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">The huge amount of waste created by building construction and demolition makes the industry unsustainable.</span></figcaption>
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<h2>So what are the world leaders doing?</h2>
<p>Extensive research for the report drew on real-world experiences, including a survey and interviews with stakeholders. The report offers practical recommendations to drive the transformation to a circular economy, with examples from global front-runners.</p>
<p>The first recommendation is to learn from these nations. Most are in Europe.</p>
<p>A leading example is the Netherlands’ “<a href="https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/en/dialogue/existing-eu-platforms/cirkelstad">Cirkelstad</a>”. This national platform connects key players in the transition to a circular economy in major cities. It provides a database of exemplary projects, research and policies, as well as training and advice.</p>
<p>Cirkelstad highlights the importance of broad collaboration, including research organisations. One outcome is the <a href="https://www.cirkelstad.nl/project/city-deal-circulair-conceptueel-bouwen/">City Deal</a> initiative. It has brought together more than 100 stakeholders with the shared goal of making circular construction the norm. They include government bodies, contractors, housing associations, clients, networks, interest groups and knowledge institutions. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/buildings-used-iron-from-sunken-ships-centuries-ago-the-use-of-recycled-materials-should-be-business-as-usual-by-now-200351">Buildings used iron from sunken ships centuries ago. The use of recycled materials should be business as usual by now</a>
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<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1002976732960436224"}"></div></p>
<p>We rarely see such collaboration in Australia. Connections between government, research and industry practices have been weak. Our universities compete fiercely. </p>
<p>In Denmark and Sweden, rigorous regulations have been effective in promoting circular practices. Denmark has incentives for the use of <a href="https://www2.mst.dk/Udgiv/publications/2019/03/978-87-7038-052-2.pdf">secondary materials</a> such as recycled brick. It also promotes designs that make buildings easy to disassemble. </p>
<p>In Sweden, contractors must give priority to using secondary materials in public projects. Suppliers are <a href="http://doi.org/10.51414/sei2022.026">evaluated based on their environmental impacts</a> </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/a-third-of-our-waste-comes-from-buildings-this-ones-designed-for-reuse-and-cuts-emissions-by-88-147455">A third of our waste comes from buildings. This one's designed for reuse and cuts emissions by 88%</a>
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<p>In Canada, Toronto is notable for its proactive approach. Measures include a cap on upfront carbon emissions for <a href="https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.PH3.19">all new city-owned buildings</a>.</p>
<p>Test beds and pilot projects have proven effective, too. A good example is the UK’s <a href="https://www.brighton.ac.uk/research/research-news/feature/brighton-waste-house.aspx">Waste House</a>. </p>
<p>Waste House was built using more than 85% waste material from households and construction sites. Yet it’s a top-rated low-energy building. The project is an inspiration for architects and builders to challenge conventional construction methods and embrace circular practices. </p>
<p>Much of the focus of Finland’s <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/fi/Documents/risk/The%20circular%20city%20in%20Finland.pdf">circular economy initiatives</a> is on construction and urban planning. Various policy tools and incentives encourage the use of recycled or renewable materials in construction. The renovation of Laakso hospital in Helsinki is a notable example.</p>
<p>Strategic zoning of public spaces can also be used to bolster circular economy activities. An example is the repurposing of urban land for activities such as waste sorting.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-make-roads-with-recycled-waste-and-pave-the-way-to-a-circular-economy-164997">How to make roads with recycled waste, and pave the way to a circular economy</a>
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<figcaption><span class="caption">The Brighton Waste House was made largely from recycled materials.</span></figcaption>
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<h2>How can Australia create a circular economy?</h2>
<p>Australia has been slow to adopt such measures. There are voluntary schemes, such as <a href="https://new.gbca.org.au/green-star/exploring-green-star/">Green Star</a>, that include emission caps for buildings. However, Australia lacks specific, well-defined requirements to adopt circular economy practices across the built environment sector.</p>
<p>Our report’s recommendations include:</p>
<ul>
<li>develop metrics and targets to promote resource efficiency</li>
<li>adopt measurable circular procurement practices for public projects</li>
<li>provide incentives for circular practices</li>
<li>establish technical codes and standards that foster the use of secondary products.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/greenwashing-the-property-market-why-green-star-ratings-dont-guarantee-more-sustainable-buildings-91655">Greenwashing the property market: why 'green star' ratings don't guarantee more sustainable buildings</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>The report finds funding for collaborative projects is badly needed too. Regrettably, the Australian built environment is not seen as <a href="https://www.arc.gov.au/funding-research/apply-funding/grant-application/science-and-research-priorities">a research funding priority</a>. But more funding is essential to foster the innovation needed to make the transition to a circular economy. </p>
<p>Innovation can help us reconcile the public demand for spacious homes with sustainable construction practices. We can achieve this through a mix of strategies:</p>
<ul>
<li>moving towards modular construction techniques</li>
<li>creating incentives to adopt circular design principles</li>
<li>making adaptive reuse of existing structures a priority</li>
<li>designing multi-functional spaces that makes the most of resources.</li>
</ul>
<p>Integrating circular economy principles into education and training at universities and schools can embed a culture of innovation. Equipping students with this knowledge and skills will enable the next generation to drive change in our built environment. </p>
<p>Currently, there are few Australian-based training programs that focus on the circular economy. And available courses and programs overseas are costly.</p>
<p>There is also a need to promote inclusivity in the built environment sector. Circular solutions must incorporate cultural considerations.</p>
<p>By embracing the above strategies, Australia can foster a harmonious balance between cultural values, environmental sustainability and efficient resource use.</p>
<p>Collectively, these initiatives will lay the foundation for a circular economy in the built environment sector. The growing need for housing and infrastructure underscores the urgency of achieving this goal in Australia. Ultimately, consumers, industry and the environment will all benefit.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/with-the-right-tools-we-can-mine-cities-87672">With the right tools, we can mine cities</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/206188/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Tuba Kocaturk is affiliated with Geelong Manufacturing Council, as a Non-Executive Director.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>M. Reza Hosseini does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Our buildings and infrastructure can only become sustainable if the sector shares, leases, reuses, repairs, refurbishes and recycles materials and products. A new report maps out out how to get there.M. Reza Hosseini, Senior Lecturer in Construction, Deputy Director, Mediated Intelligence in Design (MInD) Research Lab, Deakin UniversityTuba Kocaturk, Deputy Head, School of Architecture & Built Environment, and Director, Mediated Intelligence in Design (MInD) Research Lab, Deakin UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2067982023-05-31T16:38:45Z2023-05-31T16:38:45ZRecycling: what you can and can’t recycle and why it’s so confusing<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529405/original/file-20230531-23-96zmy6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C9504%2C6317&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Recycling can be a bit of a headache.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-beautiful-woman-holding-recycle-cardboard-1703996371">Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>When it comes to recycling are you a <a href="https://inews.co.uk/news/wishcycling-or-just-a-delusion-2373510">wishcycler</a>? No, I didn’t know what this term meant until recently either – apparently it’s when people try to recycle items that should be thrown away instead. And the government are trying to crack down on it.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/government-local-government-association-b2347953.html">New rules</a> will ask people to stop “over-recycling” and to be more careful about what they put in their recycling bins. This is to reduce the amount of dirty waste that goes to processing centres and landfills.</p>
<p>Many commonly recycled items either need specialist recycling treatment or are so contaminated that they cannot be processed properly. Think toothpaste tubes, takeaway packaging and juice cartons. So if you’re sticking these items in the recycling bin or box, you might want to rethink how you’re disposing of them. </p>
<p>Three years ago the <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/wwf-paris-uk-government-antarctica-b2339705.html">UK government outlined its goal of recycling</a> – setting the target for 65% of all household waste to be recycled by 2035 – with no more than 10% of this waste ending up in landfill.</p>
<p>But a recent <a href="https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/recycle-week-80-of-uk-households-still-unclear-on-how-to-recycle-effectively/">survey shows</a> that 80% of UK households are “still unclear” on how to recycle effectively – does it need washing out, can I flatten items and what if the cardboard gets wet? (Wet cardboard is a no on the recycling front I’m afraid).</p>
<p>It’s no wonder that <a href="https://cardboard.org.uk/news/new-study-reveals-how-recycling-confusion-is-leading-to-rubbish-results/">many admit</a> it’s easier just to throw something in the bin instead of working out if it can be recycled.</p>
<h2>Waste not</h2>
<p>My team and I are <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=zkenrqIAAAAJ&hl=en">researching</a> how new bio-based and biodegradable plastics can contribute to a more <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-a-circular-economy-29666">circular economy</a> (this is where items are reused and not <a href="https://theconversation.com/five-ways-to-reduce-your-household-waste-and-stop-it-being-shipped-to-poorer-countries-154123">sent to landfill or shipped abroad</a>. While huge strides are being made in this area, we are still some way off all packaging being made in this way in a cost-effective manner. And so for now recycling is the next best option.</p>
<p>So then why the confusion about recycling? One of the main issues is there are <a href="https://rethinkwaste.org/2020/08/31/why-recycling-is-not-the-same-everywhere/">differences in how recycling waste is collected</a> across the UK – this can even be the case from one street to another. </p>
<p>For anyone confused by recycling rules, the advice is always “check with your local authority”. Households should have been sent a leaflet that explains what can be recycled and how. But if you’ve thrown yours away – or perhaps recycled it - the information should also be on your local authorities’ website.</p>
<p>Typically though, plastic containers such as bottles, food trays, margarine tubs and yoghurt pots are readily recycled. So too is aluminium foil, cans, glass bottles and jars. But again, if you want to optimise your council’s existing recycling infrastructure check your local collection guides.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Recycling boxes filled with recycling." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529410/original/file-20230531-24-xts2tu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529410/original/file-20230531-24-xts2tu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=460&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529410/original/file-20230531-24-xts2tu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=460&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529410/original/file-20230531-24-xts2tu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=460&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529410/original/file-20230531-24-xts2tu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=578&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529410/original/file-20230531-24-xts2tu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=578&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529410/original/file-20230531-24-xts2tu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=578&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Knowing what should go where can be difficult – and is different from area to area.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/trash-recycle-reduce-ecology-environment-591166076">Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>One of the main reasons there are currently variations in what different authorities <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/wishcycling-government-to-tell-people-to-recycle-fewer-things-to-stop-contamination-by-non-recyclables-reports-12893539">do or don’t recycle</a> is based on what the waste management companies they use to recyclable waste after it’s collected. And this differs area to area.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.recyclenow.com/recycle-an-item/crisp-packets">Crisp packets</a>, for example, cannot typically be recycled via household collections (though in some places they can be). This is because they require complex processes to break them down because they are made of multiple layers of plastic and metallic. Instead, you’re advised to take them to your local supermarket as most chains now allow customers to recycle crisp packets and soft plastics at larger superstores.</p>
<h2>Recycling tips</h2>
<p>As with crisp packets and soft plastics, things such as pet food pouches can be recycled too but again not typically via your household collections – instead, these can often go to larger supermarkets for recycling.</p>
<p>Most <a href="https://takeawaypackaging.co.uk/can-you-recycle-or-reuse-plastic-takeaway-containers/#:%7E:text=Only%20curbside%20recycling%20programs%20will,not%20throw%20in%20general%20recycling.">greasy plastic takeaway packaging can be recycled</a>, too. But it’s a good idea to rinse them to avoid contamination during the recycling process (and to stop your bin smelling in between collections).</p>
<p>Perhaps the biggest problem is with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/08/can-i-recycle-a-pizza-box-we-ask-the-expert">greasy pizza boxes</a>. Due to the way that paper and cardboard are recycled, it’s much more difficult to remove contamination from food, so it’s often best to throw contaminated pizza boxes in the general waste bin. You could always cut off the lid of the pizza box and recycle that.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Inside a plastic recycling plant." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529412/original/file-20230531-27-4oneft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/529412/original/file-20230531-27-4oneft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529412/original/file-20230531-27-4oneft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529412/original/file-20230531-27-4oneft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529412/original/file-20230531-27-4oneft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529412/original/file-20230531-27-4oneft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/529412/original/file-20230531-27-4oneft.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The recycling bin is not the end, but the beginning of a new journey.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/wide-shot-businessman-worker-talking-on-1840555168">Juice Flair/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As to what you can’t recycle, one of the biggest issues that could easily be solved is the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/08/can-i-recycle-a-pizza-box-we-ask-the-expert">black plastic trays</a> that many manufacturers use purely as a marketing tool to enhance the visual attractiveness of their products such as steak or even broccoli. </p>
<p>While this tactic might help to sell more units, it, unfortunately, means that these recyclable plastic trays are far less likely to actually be recycled. This is because opaque trays cannot be sorted from other types of plastic in a recycling facility as light cannot pass through them. </p>
<p>Thankfully, we are seeing fewer and fewer <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/12/black-plastic-recycling-supermarkets-waste/">black plastic trays</a> in our supermarkets and some advances have been made meaning that some black plastics can now be recycled. Still unsure? Again, the recurring message is to “check with your local authority”. Or better yet, make a list of what can and can’t be recycled in your area and stick it somewhere you can easily see. </p>
<p>Although it definitely isn’t a case of the more the merrier when it comes to recycling, the better we are as a society at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/02/use-compostable-plastic-and-the-16-other-essential-rules-of-effective-recycling">dealing with our waste</a> and not just sending it to landfill, the better our air and environment will be for us and future generations.</p>
<hr>
<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption"></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><strong><em>Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?</em></strong>
<br><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/newsletters/imagine-57?utm_source=TCUK&utm_medium=linkback&utm_campaign=Imagine&utm_content=DontHaveTimeTop">Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead.</a> Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/newsletters/imagine-57?utm_source=TCUK&utm_medium=linkback&utm_campaign=Imagine&utm_content=DontHaveTimeBottom">Join the 10,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.</a></em></p>
<hr><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/206798/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Matthew Derry does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Confusion about what should and shouldn’t be recycled? You’re not alone – and it’s causing some people to ignore recycling altogether.Matthew Derry, Lecturer in Chemistry, Aston UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2060602023-05-28T20:05:05Z2023-05-28T20:05:05Z3 little-known reasons why plastic recycling could actually make things worse<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528503/original/file-20230526-17-5fzgqw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=36%2C0%2C5970%2C4016&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/engineer-standing-looking-back-plastic-bottle-1492220252">Chanchai Phetdikhai, Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>This week in Paris, negotiators from around the world are <a href="https://www.unep.org/events/conference/second-session-intergovernmental-negotiating-committee-develop-international">convening</a> for a United Nations meeting. They will tackle a thorny problem: finding a globally binding solution for plastic pollution. </p>
<p>Of the staggering <a href="https://stats.oecd.org/viewhtml.aspx?datasetcode=PLASTIC_USE_6&lang=en">460 million tonnes of plastic used globally in 2019 alone</a>, much is used only once and thrown away. About <a href="https://www.oecd.org/environment/plastic-pollution-is-growing-relentlessly-as-waste-management-and-recycling-fall-short.htm">40% of plastic waste</a> comes from packaging. Almost two-thirds of plastic waste comes from items with lifetimes of less than five years. </p>
<p>The plastic waste that escapes into nature persists and breaks up into smaller and smaller pieces, <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.1700782">eventually becoming microplastics</a>. Plastics now contaminate virtually every environment, from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/20/microplastic-pollution-found-near-summit-of-mount-everest">mountain peaks to oceans</a>. Plastic has entered vital systems such as our food chain and even the human <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time">blood stream</a>. </p>
<p>Governments and industry <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/nations-agree-end-plastic-pollution">increasingly acknowledge</a> the urgent need to reduce plastic pollution. They are introducing <a href="https://apco.org.au/the-australian-packaging-covenant">rules and incentives</a> to help businesses stop using single-use plastics while also encouraging collection and recycling. </p>
<p>As a sustainability researcher, I explore opportunities to <a href="https://www.scu.edu.au/research/zerowaste/">reduce plastic waste </a>in sectors such as tourism, hospitality and meat production. I know how quickly we could make big changes. But I’ve also seen how quick-fix solutions can create complex future problems. So we must proceed with caution.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1660873190577680384"}"></div></p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/heres-how-the-new-global-treaty-on-plastic-pollution-can-help-solve-this-crisis-179149">Here's how the new global treaty on plastic pollution can help solve this crisis</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Plastic avoidance is top priority</h2>
<p>We must urgently eliminate waste and build a so-called “<a href="https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview">circular economy</a>”. For plastics, that means reuse or recycling back into the same type of plastic, not lower grade plastic. The plastic can be used to make similar products that then can be recycled again and again. </p>
<p>This means plastics should only be used where they can be captured at their end of life and recycled into a product of the same or higher value, with as little loss as possible. </p>
<p>Probably the only example of this to date is the recycling of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) soft-drink bottles in Norway and Switzerland. They boast recovery rates of <a href="https://phys.org/news/2020-02-norway-bottles-plastic-fantastic.html">97%</a> and <a href="https://houseofswitzerland.org/swissstories/environment/switzerland-leads-way-pet-recycling">95%</a> respectively.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://wastewise.be/2014/11/ad-lansink/">waste management pyramid</a> below shows how to prioritise actions to lessen the waste problem. It is particularly relevant to single-use plastics. Our top priority, demanding the biggest investment, is prevention and reduction through redesign of products.</p>
<p>Where elimination is not yet achievable, reuse solutions or recycling to the same or higher-level products can be sought to make plastics circular.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Inverted pyramid diagram showing waste management priorities" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/527407/original/file-20230522-21-y07zqy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/527407/original/file-20230522-21-y07zqy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=406&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527407/original/file-20230522-21-y07zqy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=406&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527407/original/file-20230522-21-y07zqy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=406&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527407/original/file-20230522-21-y07zqy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=510&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527407/original/file-20230522-21-y07zqy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=510&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527407/original/file-20230522-21-y07zqy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=510&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">In the inverted pyramid of waste management priorities, downcycling is almost the last resort.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Pascal Scherrer</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/with-better-standards-we-could-make-plastics-endlessly-useful-and-slash-waste-heres-how-189985">With better standards, we could make plastics endlessly useful – and slash waste. Here's how</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Unfortunately, a lack of high-quality reprocessing facilities means plastic waste keeps growing. In Australia, plastic is largely “downcycled”, which means it is recycled into lower quality plastics. </p>
<p>This can seem like an attractive way to deal with waste-plastic stockpiles, particularly after the recent collapse of soft-plastics recycler <a href="https://theconversation.com/redcycles-collapse-is-more-proof-that-plastic-recycling-is-a-broken-system-194528">RedCycle</a>. But downcycling risks doing more harm than good. Here are three reasons why: </p>
<h2>1. Replacing wood with recycled plastics risks contaminating our wildest natural spaces</h2>
<p>An increasing number of benches, tables, bollards and boardwalks are being made from recycled plastic. This shift away from timber is touted as a sustainable step - but caution is warranted when introducing these products to pristine areas such as national parks. </p>
<p>Wood is naturally present in those areas. It has a proven record of longevity and, when degrading, does not introduce foreign matter into the natural system. </p>
<p>Swapping wood for plastic <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749122019510?via%3Dihub">may introduce microplastics</a> into the few remaining places relatively free of them. Replacing wood with downcycled plastics also risks plastic pollution through weathering or fire.</p>
<h2>2. Taking circular plastics from their closed loop to meet recycled-content targets creates more waste</h2>
<p>Clear PET bottles used for beverages are the most circular plastic stream in Australia, approaching a 70% recovery rate. When these bottles are recycled back into clear PET bottles, they are circular plastics.</p>
<p>However, the used PET bottles are increasingly being turned into meat trays, berry punnets and <a href="https://www.praise.com.au/faqs-100-recycled-bottles">mayonnaise jars</a> to help producers meet the <a href="https://apco.org.au/national-packaging-targets">2025 National Packaging Target</a> of 50% recycled content (on average) in packaging. </p>
<p>The problem is the current industry <a href="https://anzpacplasticspact.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Recovered-Polymer-Specifications_FINAL_June2021d.pdf">specifications for plastics recovery</a> allow only downcycling of these trays, punnets and jars. This means that circular PET is removed from a closed loop into a lower-grade recovery stream. This leads to non-circular downcycling and more plastic sent to landfill. </p>
<h2>3. Using “compostable” plastics in non-compostable conditions creates still more plastic pollution</h2>
<p>Increasingly, plastics are labelled as compostable and biodegradable. However, well-intended use of compostable plastics can cause long-term plastic pollution.</p>
<p>At the right temperature with the right amount of moisture, compostable plastics breakdown into soil. But if the conditions are not “just right”, they won’t break down at all. </p>
<p>For example, when a landscape architect or engineer uses a “compostable” synthetic fabric instead of a natural alternative (such as coir or jute mats) they can inadvertently introduce persistent plastics into the environment. This is because the temperature is not hot enough for the synthetic mat to break down.</p>
<p>We must also <a href="https://documents.packagingcovenant.org.au/public-documents/Considerations%20for%20Compostable%20Packaging">differentiate</a> between “home compostable” and “commercially compostable”. Commercial facilities are more effective at composting because they operate under more closely controlled conditions.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1658419925638152192"}"></div></p>
<h2>Learning from our mistakes</h2>
<p>Clearly, we need to reduce our reliance on plastics and shift away from linear systems – including recycling into lower-grade products. </p>
<p>Such downcycling may have a temporary role in dealing with existing plastic in the system while circular recycling capacity is being built. But we must not develop downcycling “solutions” that need a long-term stream of plastic waste to remain viable.</p>
<p>What’s more, downcycling requires constantly finding new markets for their lower-grade products. Circular systems are more robust.</p>
<p>So, to the negotiators in Paris, yes the shift to a circular plastics economy is urgent. But beware of good intentions that could ultimately make things worse.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/plastic-action-or-distraction-as-climate-change-bears-down-calls-to-reduce-plastic-pollution-are-not-wasted-202780">Plastic action or distraction? As climate change bears down, calls to reduce plastic pollution are not wasted</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/206060/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Pascal Scherrer currently works on a plastic waste reduction project funded by the Australian Meat Processor Corporation. He recently completed a secondment with the ANZPAC Plastics Pact team. He is also a former member of the Northcoast Regional Advisory Committee by the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service.</span></em></p>As a sustainability researcher, I know how quickly we could make big changes to reduce plastic pollution. Here’s what we – both individually and globally – should be doing more of, and what to avoid.Pascal Scherrer, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Business, Law and Art, Southern Cross UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2036182023-05-16T11:59:19Z2023-05-16T11:59:19ZNigeria’s street food adds to the plastic problem – green leaves offer a solution<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525855/original/file-20230512-19-o8cekr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=19%2C0%2C3244%2C2443&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Okpa, a local delicacy made from Bambara beans, is commonly wrapped in leaves. </span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Obiora Ezeudu</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Street food is <a href="https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/59384/1/978-3-030-93072-1.pdf#page=118">popular</a> in Nigerian cities. Most of the local food delicacies are sold by vendors whose livelihoods depend on informal subsistence activities such as local food production and street food hawking. They are part of <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330963663_Applying_the_Extended_Theory_of_Planned_Behavior_to_Predict_Sustainable_Street_Food_Patronage_in_a_Developing_Economy">Nigeria’s vast informal sector</a>, which accounts for <a href="https://www.worldeconomics.com/National-Statistics/Informal-Economy/Nigeria.aspx#:%7E:text=The%20size%20of%20Nigeria's%20informal,easy%20comparison%20with%20other%20countries">57.7%</a> of the country’s economy.</p>
<p>But most food prepared by vendors has to be consumed within a short time to avoid spoilage. Refrigeration capacity is limited because of <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265824299_Spoilage_and_preservation_of_meat_a_general_appraisal_and_potential_of_lactic_acid_bacteria_as_biological_preservatives">unreliable power supplies</a> in the country.</p>
<p>The popularity of food sold by street vendors is part of a global shift in urban areas to “fast foods”. Most of the fast food in Nigerian cities is packaged in plastic bags. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213343721001998">These are bad for the environment</a>.</p>
<p>Leaves could be an alternative for packaging. But their use in cities has not been fully explored – so we <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-020-11268-z">studied</a> the possibility and sustainability of using natural leaves as packaging material for traditional foods in Nigeria. <a href="https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11356-020-11268-z.pdf#page=3">Leaves are still used</a> in the Nigerian countryside to package food.</p>
<p>We analysed academic literature as well as policy briefs and project documents from governmental and nongovernmental organisations. We found that leaf-type packaging material had several environmental advantages:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>They are organic so they contain no artificial chemicals that can pollute the environment. </p></li>
<li><p>Their waste is easy to handle as they degrade fast.</p></li>
<li><p>Making them does not involve the use of energy, like burning of fossil fuels that could pollute the environment, unlike the production of synthetic packaging materials.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>In the second part of our work we proposed a model that would help ensure the environmental sustainability of local food packaging materials. This model is based on the principle that good food packaging should protect food, be appealing, and preserve taste and nutrition. And there has to be a commitment to public health and environmental safety. </p>
<p>Considering that local food has been packaged in leaves <a href="https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11356-020-11268-z.pdf#page=2">since long ago in Nigeria</a>, we concluded that there’s a strong case for reviving the use of natural leaf type packaging in the country’s cities.</p>
<p>Based on our research, we recommend that strong institutions and policies be put in place to oversee the local food industry. We believe that our work is critical in informing food, health and environmental policy decisions in Nigeria and other developing regions.</p>
<h2>Alternative packaging</h2>
<p>Our research involved looking at three phases of the leaf-type material used for food packaging in Nigeria. The first stage is when the leaf is sourced as the raw material for packaging; the second when it is used for packaging; and the final stage is when it is disposed of as garbage after use. </p>
<p>In rural areas, sources of green leaves for food packaging are backyard farms, nearby forests and bushes. People cultivate the source plant species close to their homes for convenience in daily use. These packaging materials are processed entirely naturally or organically.</p>
<p>But these materials are not abundantly available in urban areas. People living in towns and cities use discarded cans, old newspapers, foil, cellophane and polythene bags as substitutes.</p>
<p>There are special traditional types of Nigerian delicacies <a href="https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11356-020-11268-z.pdf#page=3">that are prepared, served and packaged using vegetable leaf wrappers</a>. They include ogiri (spices), ukpaka (bean seed), akara (bean cake), agidi (corn cake) and fufu (cassava). </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/523412/original/file-20230428-18-38yupq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Plate of rice and stew served on a large green leaf" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/523412/original/file-20230428-18-38yupq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/523412/original/file-20230428-18-38yupq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=375&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/523412/original/file-20230428-18-38yupq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=375&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/523412/original/file-20230428-18-38yupq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=375&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/523412/original/file-20230428-18-38yupq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/523412/original/file-20230428-18-38yupq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/523412/original/file-20230428-18-38yupq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Local rice and pepper stew are popularly served on leaves.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Obiora Ezeudu</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Green leaf packages <a href="https://www.thaiscience.info/journals/Article/SUIJ/10559514.pdf#page=19">prevent</a> nutrients from being lost through evaporation or transpiration. They are easy to handle, making food distribution and transportation simple. And they protect food products from deterioration. </p>
<p>Environmentally, using vegetable leaves instead of synthetic packaging on a bigger industrial scale might cut down on carbon emissions. Used leaves also degrade quickly. </p>
<h2>A model for use</h2>
<p>Our circular economy concept has been developed as a possible way to achieve sustainability objectives. It seeks to ensure availability of local packaging materials in urban areas.</p>
<p>The proposed model would integrate stakeholders and activities in the value chain. It covers effective urban planning, proper waste resource management and wealth creation while considering social, political and economic realities typical to the developing world. The model explains the roles that all stakeholders, policies and institutions will play to make leaves abundantly available in cities while ensuring environmental sustainability. </p>
<p>For instance, while urban planning is concerned with tree-planting for aesthetics, using our model, the choice of trees could be those species that provide multiple functions.</p>
<p>The outcome shows that the green leaf packaging material for indigenous food items in Nigeria could work in terms of market viability and social acceptability.</p>
<h2>What stands in the way</h2>
<p>There is an urgent need for new regulations and better control of local food production, packaging and consumption in Nigeria. Two major factors inform this:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Many of Nigeria’s food processing facilities are still home-based or in cottage industries using rudimentary tools and procedures. </p></li>
<li><p>There is minimal consideration for good manufacturing practices and hygienic production processes. This leads to frequent chemical and microbial contamination.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>We identified some solutions.</p>
<p>Food packaging requires investment in technology and innovation. This investment is missing in Nigeria. </p>
<p>We also believe that if the government creates adequate channels, nongovernmental and private organisations could salvage the situation. There have been <a href="https://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ass/article/view/6672">cases</a> where developmental organisations bypassed government institutions and worked directly with private sector organisations and nongovernmental organisations involved with vendors or street food marketers and others at the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10454446.2019.1572561">micro-economy level</a>. </p>
<p>This support could be in the form of basic health, hygiene and safety education and providing them with equipment like gloves and disinfectants.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/203618/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Obiora Ezeudu does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Using leaves for local food packaging is beneficial for health and the environment.Obiora Ezeudu, Research Associate, University of NigeriaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2047922023-05-04T01:01:05Z2023-05-04T01:01:05ZAustralia is facing a 450,000-tonne mountain of used solar panels. Here’s how to turn it into a valuable asset<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/524231/original/file-20230503-1235-6w7v3u.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C49%2C1024%2C666&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">CPVA</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>There were an estimated <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7996851/australias-100-million-solar-panel-puzzle/">100 million</a> individual solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in Australia at the end of 2022. We estimate this number will likely grow to <a href="https://www.circularpv.com.au/_files/ugd/10e921_d7a4fbb30adb4fd585b5d4784ccdc24b.pdf">over 2 billion</a> if we are to meet Australia’s <a href="https://www.netzeroaustralia.net.au/">2050 net-zero</a> emissions target. This growth means Australia is facing a <a href="https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2016/IRENA_IEAPVPS_End-of-Life_Solar_PV_Panels_2016.pdf?rev=49a75178e38c46288a18753346fb0b09">450,000-tonne</a> mountain of used PV panels by 2040.</p>
<p>Managing all those discarded PV panels will be a huge job. Rather than treating them as “waste”, though, these panels could be a source of social, environmental and economic value. Our new <a href="https://www.circularpv.com.au/new-industry-report">industry report</a> outlines how we can realise that value. </p>
<p>PV panels contain a variety of valuable materials. The panels can also be put to new uses, such as on uninhabited community and sports club buildings, for agricultural irrigation pumps, or for camping and caravanning. </p>
<p>However, at present, they tend to follow a linear, “take, make, dispose” lifecycle. This results in many PV panels being sent to landfill or stockpiled. Much of their value is wasted.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="hand lifts up one of a pile of old solar panels" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/524232/original/file-20230503-26-mqha78.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/524232/original/file-20230503-26-mqha78.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524232/original/file-20230503-26-mqha78.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524232/original/file-20230503-26-mqha78.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524232/original/file-20230503-26-mqha78.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524232/original/file-20230503-26-mqha78.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524232/original/file-20230503-26-mqha78.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">PV panels are being discarded in large numbers, but sending them to landfill is a waste.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">CPVA</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/stop-removing-your-solar-panels-early-please-its-creating-a-huge-waste-problem-for-australia-160546">Stop removing your solar panels early, please. It's creating a huge waste problem for Australia</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>What did the research look at?</h2>
<p>The University of Queensland and Circular PV Alliance have assessed the market for used and surplus PV panels, with funding from <a href="https://energyconsumersaustralia.com.au/">Energy Consumers Australia</a>. Our findings are in <a href="https://www.circularpv.com.au/new-industry-report">the report</a> launched today at the <a href="https://smartenergyexpo.org.au/">Smart Energy Council Expo</a> in Sydney. </p>
<p>Our goal was to understand potential customers and value streams for used PV panels. We also wished to identify market or policy barriers to reusing, repurposing and recycling these panels. </p>
<p>We reviewed the academic research on the topic and conducted a series of interviews. Thirteen organisations with diverse interests in solar energy and PV panel reuse and recycling participated. A series of recurrent themes emerged that indicate potential or perceived opportunities and challenges for PV panel reuse. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-maximise-savings-from-your-home-solar-system-and-slash-your-power-bills-197415">How to maximise savings from your home solar system and slash your power bills</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>What did the research find?</h2>
<p>Overall, there was broad concern among interviewees that PV panels are being decommissioned before the end of their productive lives. A few key reasons stood out:</p>
<ul>
<li><p><a href="https://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/About/Pages/Accountability%20and%20reporting/Administrative%20Reports/The%20Renewable%20Energy%20Target%202015%20Administrative%20Report/The-renewable-energy-certificate-market.aspx">renewable energy certificates</a> encourage PV investors to install new panels rather than extend the life of older panels, because the subsidy is paid in full on installation, rather than as power is generated</p></li>
<li><p>low-quality PV products have a high failure rate</p></li>
<li><p>an array that combines different PV panels can be limited by the lowest-performing panel.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>These issues contribute to the already large amounts of discarded panels coming from solar farms, and warranty and insurance claims.</p>
<p>However, we also found reclaimed PV panels offer low-cost, clean energy options for households and community energy projects. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/solar-power-can-cut-living-costs-but-its-not-an-option-for-many-people-they-need-better-support-201090">Solar power can cut living costs, but it's not an option for many people – they need better support</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Young woman in hi-viz carries PV parts as she walks past two old solar panels" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/524233/original/file-20230503-14-ykdqca.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/524233/original/file-20230503-14-ykdqca.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524233/original/file-20230503-14-ykdqca.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524233/original/file-20230503-14-ykdqca.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524233/original/file-20230503-14-ykdqca.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524233/original/file-20230503-14-ykdqca.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524233/original/file-20230503-14-ykdqca.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Several challenges must be overcome to scale up the work of repurposing and recycling the volume of panels discarded in Australia.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">CPVA</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Even when not reusable, PV panels include valuable materials that can be recovered. The average silicon panel <a href="https://www.circularpv.com.au/_files/ugd/10e921_d7a4fbb30adb4fd585b5d4784ccdc24b.pdf">contains</a> silver (47% of recycled materials value), aluminium (frame, 26%), silicon (cells, 11%), glass (8%) and copper (8%). </p>
<p>And PV panel recycling is becoming more efficient. This has led to better-quality outputs and higher recovery rates. For example, nano-silicon created by processing recovered silicon can sell for over <a href="https://ifm.deakin.edu.au/2023/01/new-process-extracts-silicon-from-solar-panels-to-build-better-batteries/">A$44,000 per kilogram</a>.</p>
<p>A shift towards viewing a PV panel as a valuable resource or asset, rather than “waste”, will improve both consumer and industry understanding of its inherent value, even when it’s not brand new.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/solar-is-the-cheapest-power-and-a-literal-light-bulb-moment-showed-us-we-can-cut-costs-and-emissions-even-further-187008">Solar is the cheapest power, and a literal light-bulb moment showed us we can cut costs and emissions even further</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>How do we turn ‘waste’ into an asset?</h2>
<p>We can keep used PV panels out of landfill by treating them as an asset through a value-capture system. This will create a variety of benefits and opportunities. </p>
<p>The circular economy model loops the “take, make, reuse” phases into a self-sustaining cycle. It provides a foundation to grow markets for used PV panels. This will tap into consumer demands for credible and sustainable products and services. </p>
<p>There are already successful examples of similar solutions for other products in Australia and around the world. Australian examples include the <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/product-stewardship/products-schemes/television-computer-recycling-scheme">National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme</a>
and <a href="https://www.tyrestewardship.org.au/">Tyre Stewardship Australia</a>, as well as state-based beverage container deposit schemes. </p>
<p>So how do we set up a circular economy for PV panels? We found a combination of policies, regulations and commercial services can overcome the obstacles to reuse and recycling. </p>
<p>A consistent, national approach is needed to establish successful markets for used PV panels. Standards for testing and certifying these panels, as well as repair warranties, are essential to build consumer trust in this product. </p>
<p>Industry reporting and accreditation requirements as well as product traceability, so the reused and recycled panels can be accounted for, are all important elements of product stewardship and used PV panel markets. </p>
<p>Targeted engagement with a broader range of potential consumers, insurers and PV panel manufacturers will help overcome their perceived barriers to reusing panels. </p>
<p>Taken together, these actions are the building blocks of creating a circular economy for PV panels in Australia. The looming volumes of used panels and ever-increasing amount of solar energy being installed in Australia compel us to do this. Consumers, industry and the environment will all benefit.</p>
<hr>
<p><em>The author acknowledges Megan Jones, Circular PV Alliance co-founder and director, for her contribution to this article.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/204792/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Megan Jones, Circular PV Alliance co-founder and Director, was employed as a research assistant by The University of Queensland for the work discussed in this article and was an author of the industry report. Archie Chapman received funding from Energy Consumers Australia to conduct this research. He is affiliated with the Circular PV Alliance.</span></em></p>As the energy revolution gains pace, huge numbers of PV panels are already going to landfill. Many are still usable and even those that aren’t contain valuable materials that shouldn’t be discarded.Archie Chapman, Senior Lecturer, School of IT and Electrical Engineering, The University of QueenslandLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2032362023-04-17T04:44:43Z2023-04-17T04:44:43ZIf you buy it, why can’t you fix it? Here’s why we still don’t have the ‘right to repair’<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521211/original/file-20230417-16-mo7txl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=17%2C0%2C5734%2C3828&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>When you buy a product, you expect to be able to repair it. The problem is, many modern products are designed so that you can’t fix them. Vital parts are inaccessible. Or you have to go through the manufacturer, which may well just give you a new one. The end result: millions of expensive products, from cars to phones to appliances, end up in the rubbish tip. At the most extreme, manufacturers actively prevent you from repairing their products at the local mechanics. </p>
<p>You can see why some manufacturers prefer the world to work like this. If you can’t repair your washing machine, you have to buy a new one. But it’s a hidden cost to all of us – and a huge source of avoidable waste. </p>
<p>That’s why many countries and jurisdictions are introducing laws enshrining your right to repair products. Last month, the EU passed a “right to repair” policy. In the United States, 26 states have proposed laws. </p>
<p>But Australia is dragging its heels. </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1636050145438580746"}"></div></p>
<h2>So what’s the hold-up?</h2>
<p>In July 2021, Australia passed its first right to repair laws, a mandated <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/by-industry/cars-and-vehicles/motor-vehicle-information-scheme-mvis">data-sharing scheme</a> to make it possible for independent mechanics to get access to diagnostic information. This was a good start, but limited to one sector. </p>
<p>The Productivity Commission <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/repair/draft">assessed the case</a> for a broader right to repair almost two years ago and released its <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/repair/report">final report</a> in late 2021. </p>
<p>Here, it pointed to the opportunity to give independent repairers </p>
<blockquote>
<p>greater access to repair supplies, and increase competition for repair services, without compromising public safety or discouraging innovation. </p>
</blockquote>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521213/original/file-20230417-22-gtvbnn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="mechanic" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521213/original/file-20230417-22-gtvbnn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521213/original/file-20230417-22-gtvbnn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521213/original/file-20230417-22-gtvbnn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521213/original/file-20230417-22-gtvbnn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521213/original/file-20230417-22-gtvbnn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521213/original/file-20230417-22-gtvbnn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521213/original/file-20230417-22-gtvbnn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Mechanics repairing modern cars often need to access diagnostic data – and that means manufacturers have to share it.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In October last year, the new environment minister Tanya Plibersek and state environment ministers put out a <a href="https://www.tanyaplibersek.com/media/media-releases/media-release-plibersek-release-of-environment-ministers-meeting-communique/">joint commitment</a>, calling for Australia to recognise the scale and urgency of environmental challenges and </p>
<blockquote>
<p>design out waste and pollution, keep materials in use and foster markets to achieve a circular economy by 2030.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>A circular economy would mean effectively ending waste. Instead, waste streams are turned back into useful products. Many other countries are working to cut waste to a minimum. </p>
<p>The design of products is also a vital way to reduce waste going to landfill or, worse, the oceans. Redesigning products to make them repairable will prolong their useful life, value and functionality. </p>
<p>Labor has made positive sounds. But we are yet to see the promised action.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-productivity-commission-has-released-proposals-to-bolster-australians-right-to-repair-but-do-they-go-far-enough-172961">The Productivity Commission has released proposals to bolster Australians' right to repair. But do they go far enough?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>What are other countries doing?</h2>
<p>Plenty. </p>
<p>America’s proposed right to repair laws vary by state in terms of what industries they cover. They range from the first ever <a href="https://www.ifixit.com/News/73291/colorado-approves-first-ever-agricultural-right-to-repair-bill">right to repair agricultural equipment</a> in Colorado through to all-encompassing consumer-focused laws.</p>
<p>Less than a month ago, the European Union passed a <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20220331STO26410/why-is-the-eu-s-right-to-repair-legislation-important">right to repair policy</a> aimed at making it easier to access repairs for appliances and electrical goods. EU justice commissioner Didier Reynders estimated the laws <a href="https://www.brusselstimes.com/421245/right-to-repair-eu-wants-to-make-it-easier-to-fix-household-appliances">would save</a> consumers €176 (A$288) billion over the next 15 years. But consumer advocates say the laws don’t go far enough. </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1638802424071872512"}"></div></p>
<p>Canada is looking to <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/canada-right-to-repair-includes-farm-equipment-1.6803707">reform its copyright act</a> to introduce a consumer right to repair electronics, home appliances and farming equipment. </p>
<p>India, too, is <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-consumers-right-to-repair-now-spans-four-key-sectors-official-101678819353936.html">exploring</a> right to repair laws. </p>
<h2>Why have these laws taken so long?</h2>
<p>The main reason? Is it just government inaction or opposition by industry? </p>
<p>There is a long and predictable <a href="https://hackernoon.com/why-are-so-many-opposing-the-right-to-repair-laws-2ic432nq">list of opponents</a> to right to repair laws. </p>
<p>By and large, opposition comes from the manufacturers who see these laws as a hit to their bottom line. </p>
<p>Companies often deny there are any obstacles to repairing their products. Or they cite concerns over intellectual property, safety, security or environmental grounds. </p>
<p>But underlying all these arguments is a simpler reason: companies would make less money if consumers repaired rather than bought a new product, and less money again if they lose their hold on who can repair specific products. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521216/original/file-20230417-20-oeal0p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="broken tractor" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521216/original/file-20230417-20-oeal0p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521216/original/file-20230417-20-oeal0p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521216/original/file-20230417-20-oeal0p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521216/original/file-20230417-20-oeal0p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521216/original/file-20230417-20-oeal0p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521216/original/file-20230417-20-oeal0p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521216/original/file-20230417-20-oeal0p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Fixing your tractor often isn’t as easy as it should be.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>At present, companies win and consumers lose. When companies can direct you to only use an authorised repair outlet, there’s no risk of competition driving down the cost of repairs. </p>
<p>Manufacturers often respond with industry-led, voluntary initiatives such as the <a href="https://www.fb.org/news-release/afbf-signs-right-to-repair-memorandum-of-understanding-with-john-deere">recent agreement</a> between tractor giant John Deere and lobby group American Farm Bureau. </p>
<p>The problem is, voluntary agreements <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/new-car-industry-put-on-notice">often don’t work</a> and regulation is needed for the manufacturers to act upon their promises. </p>
<p>As Australia grapples with its thorny plastic waste crisis, it’s a timely reminder of the need to go faster. Environment minister Tanya Plibersek used the collapse of the soft-plastics recycling Redcycle to <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/environment/sustainability/government-will-intervene-if-voluntary-codes-don-t-fix-recycling-debacle-20230214-p5ckcv.html">call on industry</a> to do more on recycling – or see new recycling regulations introduced.</p>
<h2>What would right to repair laws mean for Australia?</h2>
<p>If we gain the right to repair, we could:</p>
<ul>
<li>expect new products to be able to be repaired </li>
<li>expect to be able to repair products anywhere – not just at manufacturer centres.</li>
</ul>
<p>This would save us all money, and divert significant volumes of waste from landfill. </p>
<p>If we return to the old ways of repairing rather than throwing out products, we would also trigger a rebirth of repair-based businesses, employment growth and up-skilling. </p>
<p>But these benefits will only arrive if the government ensures any such laws are binding. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/in-rural-america-right-to-repair-laws-are-the-leading-edge-of-a-pushback-against-growing-corporate-power-199372">In rural America, right-to-repair laws are the leading edge of a pushback against growing corporate power</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/203236/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Leanne Wiseman receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship Scheme for her project, Unlocking Digital Innovation: Intellectual Property and the Right to Repair . </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>John Gertsakis receives funding from the Australian and Queensland governments, and sits on the Australian government's new circular economy advisory group</span></em></p>Companies like it when your phone breaks and you have to buy another. But we’d all save a lot of money if we could actually repair the things we purchased.Leanne Wiseman, Professor of Law, Griffith University, Griffith UniversityJohn Gertsakis, Adjunct Professor (Industry), University of Technology SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2006702023-03-31T11:32:59Z2023-03-31T11:32:59ZRemote working: how a surge in digital nomads is pricing out local communities around the world<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/517870/original/file-20230328-21-82zjj0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/2oppHSFvTJY">Julian Dik/Unsplash</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>For eight years I have studied <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/16078055.2023.2190608">digital nomadism</a>, the millenial trend for working remotely from anywhere around the world. I am often asked if it is <a href="https://www.trtworld.com/video/tv-shows/cost-of-living-crisis-are-digital-nomads-pushing-up-rental-prices/6363cd0a903ac000116999b5">driving gentrification</a>. </p>
<p>Before COVID <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-pandemic-will-shape-the-workplace-trends-of-2021-152277">upended</a> the way we work, I would usually tell journalists that the numbers were too small for a definitive answer. Most <a href="https://theconversation.com/digital-nomads-what-its-really-like-to-work-while-travelling-the-world-99345">digital nomads</a> were travelling and working illegally on tourist visas. It was a niche phenomenon.</p>
<p>Three years into the pandemic, however, I am no longer sure. The most recent estimates put the number of digital nomads from <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-inspired-digital-nomads-to-flee-americas-big-cities-may-spur-legions-of-remote-workers-to-do-the-same-157485">the US</a> alone, at 16.9 million, a staggering <a href="https://www.mbopartners.com/state-of-independence/digital-nomads/">increase of 131%</a> from the pre-pandemic year of 2019. </p>
<p>The same survey also suggests that up to 72 million “armchair nomads”, again, only in the US, are considering becoming nomadic. This <a href="https://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy-responses/teleworking-in-the-covid-19-pandemic-trends-and-prospects-72a416b6/">COVID-induced rise</a> in remote working is a global phenomenon, which means figures for digital nomads beyond the US may be similarly high. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A street view of a tiled building on a steep incline." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/517879/original/file-20230328-17-en7ofm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/517879/original/file-20230328-17-en7ofm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=386&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517879/original/file-20230328-17-en7ofm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=386&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517879/original/file-20230328-17-en7ofm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=386&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517879/original/file-20230328-17-en7ofm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=485&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517879/original/file-20230328-17-en7ofm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=485&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517879/original/file-20230328-17-en7ofm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=485&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The profitability of short-term lets in Lisbon is driving rents up for local people.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/CVZ0y7APRtU">Diego Garcia/Unsplash</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/16078055.2023.2190608">My research</a> confirms that the cheaper living costs this trend has brought to those able to <a href="https://theconversation.com/remote-work-visas-will-shape-the-future-of-work-travel-and-citizenship-145078">capitalise on it</a> can come with a downside for others. Through interviews and ethnographic fieldwork, I have found that the rise of <a href="https://www.wired.co.uk/article/airbnb-scam-london">professional short-term-let landlords</a>, in particular, is helping to price local people out of their homes. </p>
<p>Before the pandemic, digital nomads were <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40558-020-00172-4/metrics">mostly freelancers</a>. My research has identified four further categories: <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0308275X221120172">digital nomad business owners</a>; experimental digital nomads; armchair digital nomads; and, the fastest emerging category, salaried digital nomads. </p>
<p><strong>The five categories of digital nomad:</strong></p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A graphic illustration the five categories of digital nomad." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/517880/original/file-20230328-14-mneofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/517880/original/file-20230328-14-mneofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=307&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517880/original/file-20230328-14-mneofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=307&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517880/original/file-20230328-14-mneofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=307&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517880/original/file-20230328-14-mneofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=386&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517880/original/file-20230328-14-mneofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=386&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517880/original/file-20230328-14-mneofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=386&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption"></span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Dave Cook</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the US, the number of salaried nomads – full-time employees now working fully remotely – is estimated to have gone from 3.2 million in 2019 to 11.1 million in 2022. This exponential growth has prompted governments to start paying attention. Last September I gave expert testimony to the UK Treasury on what they called <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ots-report-on-hybrid-and-distance-working">“cross-border working”</a>. </p>
<p>The phenomenon is reshaping cities. Chiang Mai in northern Thailand is often dubbed the <a href="https://shelter.global/why-chiang-mai-is-the-digital-nomad-capital-of-the-world/">digital nomad capital of the world</a>. The Nimmanhaemin area, AKA Nimman or sometimes Coffee Street, brims with coffee shops, co-working spaces, Airbnbs and short-term lets affordable to people on western wages but out of reach for many locals. </p>
<p>For local business owners hit by the pandemic, the return of visitors to Chiang Mai is a relief. But as one Thai Airbnb owner told me: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>There needs to be a balance. We used to live here when Nimman was a quiet neighbourhood.</p>
</blockquote>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A coffee shop and a small vehicle in a Thai city." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/517868/original/file-20230328-22-elc3l8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/517868/original/file-20230328-22-elc3l8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=398&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517868/original/file-20230328-22-elc3l8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=398&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517868/original/file-20230328-22-elc3l8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=398&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517868/original/file-20230328-22-elc3l8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=500&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517868/original/file-20230328-22-elc3l8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=500&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/517868/original/file-20230328-22-elc3l8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=500&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Chiang Mai’s coffee shops cater largely to foreign visitors.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/Ny6KmVQb_wY">Duy Vo/nsplash</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>The purchasing power remote western workers wield</h2>
<p>Lisbon is similarly sought out for the better weather and lower living costs it offers. Buzzwords like the <a href="https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/cities-and-the-circular-economy-deep-dive">“circular economy”</a> or the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-the-sharing-economy-needs-a-democratic-revolution-46788">“sharing economy”</a> are often used by digital nomads to describe why such locations are so suited to their way of living. They describe new approaches to urban living that emphasise mobility, more flexible approaches to building use and re-use, and innovative business models that encourage collaboration. </p>
<p>But the Portuguese capital, like many other urban centres, is in the grip of a housing crisis. Activists, like Rita Silva, of Portuguese <a href="https://housingnotprofit.org/habita-the-housing-struggles-in-lisbon/">housing-rights organisation Habita!</a>, say this influx is making things worse for local people:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>We are a small country and Lisbon is a small city, but the foreign population is growing and is very visible in coffee shops and restaurants. </p>
</blockquote>
<p>To Silva’s mind, what she calls “this bullshit of the circular economy” does <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-countries-ranging-from-indonesia-to-mexico-aim-to-attract-digital-nomads-locals-say-not-so-fast-189283">not accurately describe</a> what is happening on the ground. In certain parts of the city, she says, you don’t hear Portuguese anymore, you hear English. This is driving up living costs, well beyond the popular tourist hotspots like Barrio Alto and Principe Real. </p>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/remote-working-the-new-normal-for-many-but-it-comes-with-hidden-risks-new-research-133989">Co-working spaces</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/creative-hubs-spur-innovation-but-also-a-potentially-growing-digital-divide-86916">creative hubs</a> are now appearing in previously traditional working-class areas. With the average salary in Portugal <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/419498/average-annual-wages-portugal-y-on-y/">under US$20,000</a> (£16,226), these are clearly are not aimed at local people. A one-bedroom apartment in these digital nomad hotspots accounts on average for at least <a href="https://www.investigate-europe.eu/en/2022/house-prices-and-rents-rising-across-europe/">63% of a local wage</a> – one of the highest ratios in Europe.</p>
<p>In his 2007 bestseller, The Four-Hour Workweek, author and podcast host Tim Ferris coined the term “geo-arbitrage” to describe the phenomenon of people from higher-income countries – the US, Europe, South Korea – wielding their wages in lower-cost countries. </p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M3gmC7WmB4Q?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</figure>
<p>For some nomads, this is an essential life-hack. For others, it represents the polarising reality of globalisation: that the entire world should operate as an open, free market. To many, it is unethical. </p>
<p>Urban sociologist Max Holleran points out the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13604813.2022.2124713?journalCode=ccit20">“incredible irony”</a> at play: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>Some people are actually becoming digital nomads, because of housing prices in their home countries. And then their presence in less wealthy places, is tightening the housing market leading to displacement in places in the global south [developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America].</p>
</blockquote>
<p>On a visit to Chiang Mai in 2019, I booked an Airbnb. I expected to be checked in by the owner. Instead, I was met by someone called Sam (not their real name), who didn’t know the name of the person I have been corresponding with. </p>
<p>In the building’s lobby, a sign for the attention of travellers, tourists and backpackers clearly stated: “This place is NOT A HOTEL. Day/week rentals are NOT ALLOWED.” Yet, in the reception area, people worked on laptops, amid a constant procession of western visitors entering and leaving, with backpacks and wheely suitcases. </p>
<p>I looked back at my booking and realised that the apartment was hosted by a brand I’ll call Home-tel, which, other visitors confirmed, also hosted 17 other apartments. </p>
<p>A local resident said they were considering selling up, or, failing that, renting to a professional short-term-let host. Living there had become unbearable. </p>
<p>I vowed that next time I travelled, I would check I was renting from a bona fide private owner. And I did. Only to find, on arrival, a large sign in the lobby stating, “No short-term lets”. When I confronted the European owner, she said the sign was already there when she purchased the apartment. “What can you do?” she said. “Money talks.”</p>
<p>Holleran explains that the rise in digital nomad numbers is fostering competition between destinations:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>If Portugal says, “We’re sick of nomads,” and cracks down on visas, Spain can then say, “Oh, come here.” And that will be even more true in low GDP countries.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Silva says digital nomads need to be aware of the impact they have. She is also urging the Portuguese government to take meaningful regulatory action:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The majority of the Airbnbs are from companies controlling multiple properties. We want houses to be places where people can live.</p>
</blockquote><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/200670/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Dave Cook does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The pandemic has seen more and more full-time employees working fully remotely – and seeking out cheaper, warmer places in which to do so. Property price hikes show the impact on local communities.Dave Cook, PhD Candidate in Anthropology, UCLLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1970222023-02-23T01:43:54Z2023-02-23T01:43:54ZHouseholds find low-waste living challenging. Here’s what needs to change<p>Australian households produce about <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/environment/environmental-management/waste-account-australia-experimental-estimates/latest-release">12 million tonnes</a> of waste every year. That puts the sector almost on par with manufacturing or construction.</p>
<p>But it doesn’t have to be this way. With support, households can change patterns of consumption and develop a low-waste lifestyle. Our <a href="https://www.monash.edu/arts/social-sciences/household-innovation-and-the-transition-to-the-low-waste-city">new research</a> explores how Australians engage with low-waste living. </p>
<p>We interviewed residents about their existing waste management practices. We then invited them to design and implement their own six week household experiments. Their ideas ranged from home gardening and repairs to zero-plastic cooking and bulk store shopping. And then we brought them all together with policymakers to share their experiences. </p>
<p>The results show that householders were keen to experiment with change but that low-waste living is not easy. </p>
<h2>Taking responsibility for recycling</h2>
<p>For years, Australia sent waste materials offshore for recycling. When China banned these imports in 2018, Australian governments had to fast-track better <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/how-we-manage-waste/national-waste-policy">waste management policies</a>. </p>
<p>In a true <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-the-circular-economy-23298">circular economy</a>, nothing is wasted. Resources are valued and continuously reused as they cycle through the system. </p>
<p>But in the transition phase, the focus has been on recycling as a way to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="General waste including a soft toy dog and deflated pool toys among recyclable items from kerbside recycling bins at the Cleanaway Recycling Centre in Brisbane" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511857/original/file-20230223-14-b3r09r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511857/original/file-20230223-14-b3r09r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511857/original/file-20230223-14-b3r09r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511857/original/file-20230223-14-b3r09r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511857/original/file-20230223-14-b3r09r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511857/original/file-20230223-14-b3r09r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511857/original/file-20230223-14-b3r09r.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Kerbside recycling bins are often contaminated with general waste that cannot be recycled. The material piles up at waste management facilities before it can be sorted.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://photos.aap.com.au/search/recycling%20australia?q=%7B%22pageSize%22:25,%22pageNumber%22:3%7D">JONO SEARLE/AAP</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Soft plastics have been particularly problematic. In recent years, households have been encouraged to take soft plastics, mostly packaging, back to the supermarket. But the REDcycle soft plastics collection scheme was overloaded. Coles and Woolworths <a href="https://theconversation.com/redcycles-collapse-is-more-proof-that-plastic-recycling-is-a-broken-system-194528">paused</a> collection on November 9 2022 after it was revealed that the scheme had been unable to deliver on its recycling promises for months. </p>
<p>That followed the <a href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2019/08/21/skm-recycling-collapses-with-100m-debt/">collapse of recycling company SKM</a> in Victoria in 2019. Stockpiles of unprocessed rubbish filled warehouses, while other recycling was sent directly to landfill. </p>
<p>Several Australian states banned single-use plastics, <a href="https://www.vic.gov.au/single-use-plastics">most recently Victoria</a>, but success will depend on <a href="https://theconversation.com/single-use-plastic-bans-research-shows-three-ways-to-make-them-effective-197449">making it easy</a> to use alternatives. </p>
<p>Households <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/environment/environmental-management/waste-account-australia-experimental-estimates/latest-release">produced</a> the bulk of Australia’s plastic waste (47%) and food/organic waste (42%) in 2018-19. Improving these statistics requires changes in social norms around lifestyles and consumption practices in conjunction with changes in retail practices, supported by regulation and new collection infrastructure.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.routledge.com/Material-Geographies-of-Household-Sustainability/Gorman-Murray-Lane/p/book/9781138268333">Previous research</a> has shown that households operate on <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666320301537">the level in between</a> the micro-level of individuals and the macro-level of communities. But there is a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2210422421000368">lack of appreciation</a> of the role households can play in the transition to sustainability.</p>
<h2>Experimenting with change</h2>
<p>Transitioning to low-waste living requires changes in household consumption and waste management practices.</p>
<p>The Covid lockdowns in Victoria provided both an opportunity and an incentive for many people to <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15487733.2022.2088004">change their consumption practices</a>. However, as life returns to the ‘new normal’, many find it <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/dec/06/bin-so-long-adelaide-woman-puts-rubbish-out-for-first-time-in-two-years-after-epic-effort-to-cut-waste?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other">far from easy</a> to maintain a low-waste life. </p>
<p>We conducted a series of innovative household experiments with 19 Melbourne-based participants. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511846/original/file-20230222-330-hqp0tz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Whiteboard covered in colourful sticky notes describing ideas for how to make low-waste living more convenient." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511846/original/file-20230222-330-hqp0tz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511846/original/file-20230222-330-hqp0tz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511846/original/file-20230222-330-hqp0tz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511846/original/file-20230222-330-hqp0tz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511846/original/file-20230222-330-hqp0tz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511846/original/file-20230222-330-hqp0tz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511846/original/file-20230222-330-hqp0tz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Workshop participants offered many suggestions in response to the question: How could government policy make low-waste living more convenient?</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Supplied</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A mother of two students wanted to be 100% waste free for six weeks, while another mother focused on zero-plastic cooking. Others committed to trying out bulk stores, while a woman living by herself started a garden. Another single woman wanted to learn how to repair her clothes and her bike, while a part-time salesworker living with his husband wanted to create a 3-week low-waste action challenge for his friends. </p>
<h2>What we learned</h2>
<p>Participants said they found household change very challenging. </p>
<p>We were told the experiments required extra mental capacity, time, money and motivation. Householders also needed more information and support to achieve, then maintain, the desired change in practices.</p>
<p>For some, the experience provided an incentive to try something different, such as walking the extra distance to the bulk food store rather than taking the easy option of the supermarket. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Young woman shopping in a light, bright bulk food store, being shown what to do by worker." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511849/original/file-20230223-19-nk2tq9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511849/original/file-20230223-19-nk2tq9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511849/original/file-20230223-19-nk2tq9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511849/original/file-20230223-19-nk2tq9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511849/original/file-20230223-19-nk2tq9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511849/original/file-20230223-19-nk2tq9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511849/original/file-20230223-19-nk2tq9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Bulk food stores encourage customers to bring their own reusable containers from home, or use more environmentally-friendly packaging such as paper bags, eliminating soft plastic packaging.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/beautiful-young-woman-shopping-bulk-food-1439367545">By Jack Frog at shutterstock.com</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Changes didn’t always stick. A transition to shampoo and conditioner bars required extensive research and was too hard for one: “Just that one switch was so intense … it was expensive as well.” </p>
<p>Supermarkets were a major source of frustration around unwanted plastics: “The packaging is such a big problem. It’s just ridiculous. It should be stopped … There are very few items that you can buy that doesn’t have some sort of packaging.” </p>
<p>Social relationships were important in low-waste living. One woman said her family told her they were not prepared to go any further on the zero waste journey, while another had her husband and kids supporting her all the way. </p>
<p>The challenge of reducing food waste with children in the house came up too: “It’s challenging to reduce how much food gets wasted with children. I have reduced how much I cook … I’ve tried to do stocktakes of my freezer, my pantry, the fridge … to really focus on meal planning … But it’s really, really challenging … I think if it was just me, I would have a lot more success.” </p>
<p>Facebook groups were a useful resource “because it does make you realise that there are other people who are trying to save every piece of plastic from going in the bin”. </p>
<p>Householders articulated many policy and system changes required to make low-waste living easier including legislation on high waste producers, banning polluting products, improving recycling infrastructure, creating markets for recycled products, encouraging innovation, providing better information and improving product labelling. </p>
<p>The householders were aware of low-waste alternatives in different parts of the world and frustrated by system failure in Australia.</p>
<p>“We need support and systemic change from the government (policy) and businesses (innovation) to drive down the amount of plastics associated with our everyday products,” one participant said. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Protesters cover the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne with plastic and cardboard that should be recycled." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511851/original/file-20230223-26-akm2hb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511851/original/file-20230223-26-akm2hb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511851/original/file-20230223-26-akm2hb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511851/original/file-20230223-26-akm2hb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511851/original/file-20230223-26-akm2hb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511851/original/file-20230223-26-akm2hb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511851/original/file-20230223-26-akm2hb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The waste crisis became more acute in 2019 after China refused to continue accepting Australia’s contaminated waste for recycling, prompting protests.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://photos.aap.com.au">JAMES ROSS/AAP</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Low-waste living should be made easy</h2>
<p>Ultimately, our research shows substantial changes are needed to make low-waste living easy. </p>
<p>We found experimentation within the home could be useful in designing and testing new policy. The experience can connect policymakers to real people and the things that matter to them, such as parenting, friendships, sharing a meal, ‘making ends meet’, and caring for others. </p>
<p>If the transition to a circular economy is to be successful, it needs to be planned from the perspective of everyday life within households. </p>
<p><em>Acknowledgements: We are deeply grateful for all participants in the study for generously sharing their time, insights and efforts with us.</em></p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/stop-tossing-your-spent-vapes-and-e-cigs-youre-breeding-a-new-waste-pandemic-199956">Stop tossing your spent vapes and e-cigs: you're breeding a new waste pandemic</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/197022/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Rob Raven receives funding from the Australian Research Council.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jo Lindsay receives funding from the Australian Research Council.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Ruth Lane receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the National Environmental Science Program. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>David O. Reynolds does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Experimenting with low-waste living shows it’s not easy being green. But householders can help policymakers design better waste management systems.Rob Raven, Professor and Deputy Director (Research), Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash UniversityDavid O. Reynolds, Postdoctoral Fellow, Asia Research Institute, National University of SingaporeJo Lindsay, Professor of Sociology, Monash UniversityRuth Lane, Associate Professor in Human Geography, Monash UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1983432023-02-22T06:21:32Z2023-02-22T06:21:32ZDirty gold: the fly-tipping gangs costing councils millions – and how you can help<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511394/original/file-20230221-3073-35db85.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C2000%2C997&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.alamy.com/illegal-fly-tipping-of-vehicle-tyres-dumped-in-farm-field-to-avoid-image1813406.html?imageid=E32F658E-781A-44A6-B2F1-5E14A1AB0673&p=89075&pn=1&searchId=c5668c6ee83c737099fb12e5bc2f28b3&searchtype=0">Shutterstock/Alamy</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>If you venture out to the countryside, the chances are you’ve probably seen piles of rubbish, anything from fridges to frying pans, rubble to refuse sacks dumped at the side of the road or in laybys. Waste crime is serious, hazardous and on the increase. Often referred to as “<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41685102">fly-tipping</a>” it includes the illegal dumping of rubbish on private or public land or in water. It looks terrible and can have serious effects on the environment. </p>
<p><a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05672/">In the UK</a>, local authorities dealt with more than one million fly-tipping incidents between 2020 and 2021, which is an increase of 16% from the 980,000 incidents reported the previous year. Approximately 65% of this illegal dumping involved household waste.</p>
<p>According to a <a href="https://crimesciencejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40163-022-00170-3">recent study</a>, the significant rise in fly-tipping can partly be attributed to the lifting of regulations after the COVID pandemic. When stricter lockdown laws were in place and the risk of being caught fly-tipping was greater because there were so few people out and about, there was a noticeable decline in illegal waste dumping across the country. The closure of many businesses also resulted in less waste being produced. But once lockdown laws were relaxed, the volume of rubbish and fly-tipping in urban areas increased as there was a large backlog of waste that had built up during the pandemic. </p>
<p>Another contributing factor is thought to be the increase in <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rates-and-allowances-landfill-tax/landfill-tax-rates-from-1-april-2013">Landfill tax</a>. This is an environmental tax imposed on businesses that dump waste at landfill sites. It has increased from £7 per tonne in 1996 to £102 per tonne from April 2023. The rate has increased faster than inflation and with the cost of living crisis, some businesses are choosing to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/27/landfill-tax-rises-boosting-fly-tipping-says-spending-watchdog">avoid paying the tax</a> altogether. Instead, they are opting for illegal waste dumping services run by criminals. </p>
<h2>Why this is happening</h2>
<p>For criminals, the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/crackdown-on-waste-crime-time-to-stop-trashing-our-future">gains from fly-tipping are attractive</a>. James Bevan, the chief executive of the Environment Agency has even gone so far as to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/crackdown-on-waste-crime-time-to-stop-trashing-our-future">say that</a> the rewards are as high or higher than robbery, drug dealing or contract killing. </p>
<p>Indeed, waste crime has even been <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60031410">dubbed</a> “<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/crackdown-on-waste-crime-time-to-stop-trashing-our-future">the new narcotics</a>” because of the way it’s damaging communities and the economy. The profits come largely at the expense of the taxpayer, with fly-tipping estimated to cost up to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-new-crackdown-on-fly-tipping">£392 million a year</a>. </p>
<p>It’s also relatively low risk, in terms of both being caught and punished. Under UK law, there’s currently no minimum fine set out for unlawfully depositing waste. The sentences for individual cases are decided by independent courts but penalties can include fixed penalty notices and having a vehicle seized. Householders can also be fined up to £400 if they pass rubbish on to an unlicensed waste carrier which is then <a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05672/">fly-tipped</a>. Though in some instances <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/essex-man-jailed-for-13-months-for-illegal-waste-operation">fly-tippers can face prison</a>. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Fly-tipping in the countryside." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511161/original/file-20230220-946-9ub6uh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511161/original/file-20230220-946-9ub6uh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511161/original/file-20230220-946-9ub6uh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511161/original/file-20230220-946-9ub6uh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511161/original/file-20230220-946-9ub6uh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511161/original/file-20230220-946-9ub6uh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511161/original/file-20230220-946-9ub6uh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Illegal fly-tipping of household waste in a country lane near the village of Much Hadham, in Hertfordshire.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/much-hadham-hertfordshire-uk-june-28th-1765777313"> David Calvert/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Earlier this year, the UK’s Environment Agency <a href="https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk/2023/01/16/waste-criminals-targeted-on-environment-agency-day-of-action/">reported</a> that they issued fines of £1.1 million for illegal waste sites and recovered more than £5.5 million from criminals involved in fly-tipping. But compared to the actual cost of rectifying such crimes, these penalties seem negligible. </p>
<p>The current waste licensing system is also open to misuse. Certain low-risk and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-moves-ahead-with-plans-to-crack-down-on-illegal-waste">small-scale waste activities</a> such as the recovery of scrap metal can operate under a waste exemption which means there isn’t the need to hold an environmental permit. These <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-your-waste-exemptions-environmental-permits">exemptions</a> can be registered with the Environment Agency at no cost and do not require verification. This means criminals posing as, say, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-exemption-t9-recovering-scrap-metal">scrap metal dealers</a> can register for exemptions and then illegally dispose of waste without the correct permits.</p>
<h2>How you can help</h2>
<p><strong>Prevent waste creation:</strong> We need to be mindful of what we consume and the waste we create. Use reusable coffee mugs, buy cards and loose produce without plastic packaging. Invest in durable items. This is important because consumer behaviour and demands shape business actions.</p>
<p><strong>Stop throwing things away:</strong> Good quality items can be donated to local charities and go to a new home, so move away from the throwaway culture and help with the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0925527321003649">transition to a circular economy</a>. Buying and selling pre-owned items such as clothes is also now much easier with online marketplaces such as <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/">Ebay</a>, <a href="https://www.vinted.co.uk/">Vinted</a>, <a href="https://re-fashion.co.uk/">Re-Fashion</a>, <a href="https://www.depop.com/">Depop</a> and <a href="https://preworn.ltd/">Preworn</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511391/original/file-20230221-16-afx7lg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Woman shopping in charity shop." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511391/original/file-20230221-16-afx7lg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/511391/original/file-20230221-16-afx7lg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=415&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511391/original/file-20230221-16-afx7lg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=415&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511391/original/file-20230221-16-afx7lg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=415&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511391/original/file-20230221-16-afx7lg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=521&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511391/original/file-20230221-16-afx7lg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=521&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/511391/original/file-20230221-16-afx7lg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=521&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Donate rather than ditch your unwanted items.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/woman-browsing-through-store-clothing-637086043">gabriel12/Shutterstock</a></span>
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</figure>
<p><strong>Be the hero neighbour</strong>: Many communities are part of a “<a href="https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/">neighbourhood watch</a>” scheme which can help to spread awareness and let people know if illegal fly-tipping gangs are operating locally. You can also go online to report instances of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/report-flytipping">fly-tipping near you</a>. And because <a href="https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/litter-flytipping/things-you-can-do">waste attracts more waste</a>, it’s worth leading by example to help clear existing dumps – you can use social media to spread the word and get others involved, too.</p>
<p><strong>Responsible waste disposal:</strong> Next time you need to get rid of an old sofa or cooker, contact your local council to arrange collection and the safe dispose of such items. Do not rely on “scrap men” to take things away in their vans: some items will not have a resale value and will be fly-tipped – meaning the householder, without knowing, also commits a crime. If you do need to use middleman services, check where your waste will be taken and what records you will receive to show it was managed legally. </p>
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<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p><strong><em>Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?</em></strong>
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Criminals want your waste. Here’s what you can do to help tackle illegal fly-tipping.Sankar Sivarajah, Professor of Technology Management and Circular Economy, University of BradfordBanita Lal, Associate Professor in the School of Management, University of BradfordLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1999562023-02-16T05:58:22Z2023-02-16T05:58:22ZStop tossing your spent vapes and e-cigs: you’re breeding a new waste pandemic<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/510447/original/file-20230216-24-om5cn6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">shutterstock</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/disposable-ecigarettes-different-flavors-pink-concept-2058505280">shutterstock.com</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Vaping, or using electronic cigarettes, not only pollutes the surrounding air, it also creates a new contaminated e-waste stream.</p>
<p>Australian waste management authorities are just beginning to tackle this problem, as schools’ stockpiles of confiscated vapes continue to grow. As researchers of issues to do with the so-called circular economy, we take a keen interest in how products can be safely and successfully reused and recycled, rather than being thrown away. </p>
<p>After years of battling the scourge of cigarette butts, Clean Up Australia’s latest <a href="https://www.cleanup.org.au/rubbish-report">National Rubbish Report</a>, released today, reveals cigarette butts are no longer number one on the list of most commonly littered items. Soft plastics have become public enemy number one instead. </p>
<p>But the rate of growth in vaping suggests an even more challenging battle lies ahead. Clean Up Australia says e-cigarettes “appear to be even more damaging to the environment than cigarette butts” as they “present a <a href="https://www.cleanup.org.au/e-cigarettes">triple threat to the environment</a>: plastic waste, electronic waste and hazardous waste”.</p>
<h2>What is vaping?</h2>
<p>A vaping device, also called a vape, is an electronic device that releases an aerosol that users inhale. The vapour may contain nicotine (not always), flavourings, and other substances. </p>
<p>Since their invention in 2003, vapes and e-cigarettes have been marketed as healthier alternatives to tobacco cigarettes, and as a possible stepping stone to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34519354/">quitting smoking</a>. </p>
<p>Vaping, however, has <a href="https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/e-cigarettes-vaping/impact-of-e-cigarettes-on-lung">health risks</a> and <a href="https://www.undo.org/environmental-impact/vape-waste-is-toxic-waste">environmental consequences</a>. </p>
<h2>A growing trend</h2>
<p>The number of people vaping worldwide was expected to reach a <a href="https://www.euromonitor.com/article/growth-vapour-products">record high of 55 million</a> in 2021, up from 7 million in 2011, according to Euromonitor International. </p>
<p>Globally, the <a href="https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5735415/e-cigarettes-global-market-report">vaping market</a> is expected to reach US$38.5 billion by 2026. </p>
<p>The 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey found fewer Australians were smoking tobacco daily, while the <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey-2019/contents/summary">use of e-cigarettes was increasing</a>. From the survey results, the <a href="https://www.athra.org.au/blog/2020/07/22/over-500000-vapers-in-australia-now-according-to-government-study/">Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association</a> calculated that 520,000 people vaped that year (2.5% of the population aged 14 or over). </p>
<p>Australian vaping rates are catching up to those in other Western countries, despite attempts from health authorities and professional bodies to dissuade vaping. </p>
<p>National <a href="https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/-/media/epa/corporate-site/resources/litter/vaping-device-use-and-recovery-systems.pdf?la=en&hash=1146A541D489CDD6C5B7D3E93A746CBEC678DFB6">product sales increased</a> from $28.3 million in 2015 to $98.1 million in 2020. </p>
<p>The growing number of users corresponds with a mounting pile of trash in our environment.</p>
<h2>Trash or treasure</h2>
<p>It is estimated that two disposable vapes are thrown away every second in the United Kingdom, according to a <a href="https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2022-07-15/rise-of-single-use-vapes-sending-tonnes-of-lithium-to-landfill">joint investigation by several British media outlets</a>. </p>
<p>Millions of disposable vapes that could be recycled are ending up in landfill across the world. Yet they contain lithium, a metal in high demand. Roughly <a href="https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/11/26/two-e-cigarettes-are-thrown-away-every-second-in-the-uk-what-damage-do-they-do#:%7E:text=E%2Dcigarettes%20aren't%20being%20recycled&text=On%20average%2C%20they%20contain%200.15,batteries%20inside%201%2C200%20electric%20vehicles.">1,200 electric vehicle batteries</a> could be made from the lithium in discarded vapes and e-cigarettes in one year. </p>
<p>While some <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/vaping-ban-news-lung-foundation-campaign-ecigarettes-exclusive/665a2417-6b2e-4a05-8046-1c033c2f1122">advocate banning these products</a>, others call for <a href="https://www.cleanup.org.au/e-cigarettes">better recycling - or the end of disposable vapes</a> in favour of reusable products. That’s because recycling such a complex product makes reusable, rather than disposable devices preferable. </p>
<p>Scott Butler, executive director of the UK-based electrics recycling company Material Focus told <a href="https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2022-07-15/rise-of-single-use-vapes-sending-tonnes-of-lithium-to-landfill">The Bureau of Investigative Journalism</a> that when vapes go to landfill they effectively dump plastics, poisons, nicotine salts, heavy metals, lead, mercury, and flammable lithium-ion batteries into the environment. </p>
<p>“The challenge is that people don’t really think about what a vape is made of, but what it does for them,” he says. </p>
<p>In the absence of recycling, vapes and e-cigarettes pose a serious risk. Impacts may include the <a href="https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/many-e-cigarette-vaping-liquids-contain-toxic-chem">leaking or aerosol transport of toxic substances from e-liquids</a>, <a href="https://www.cleanaway.com.au/sustainable-future/waste-fire-safety/">fires caused by lithium-ion batteries</a>, <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2016-07-06-should-you-be-concerned-about-your-vapes-batteries-leaking.html">the leaking of corrosive electrolytes from batteries</a>, and <a href="https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/-/media/epa/corporate-site/resources/litter/vaping-device-use-and-recovery-systems.pdf?la=en&hash=1146A541D489CDD6C5B7D3E93A746CBEC678DFB6">the leaching of heavy metals from batteries</a>. </p>
<h2>Revving up recycling schemes</h2>
<p>In most parts of the world, vapes are classified as waste electrical and electronic equipment. Consumers are encouraged to dispose of these devices at a household recycling centre, the local pharmacy where they purchased the device, or the local community recycling centre. </p>
<p>Recently the vaping industry has taken steps to help recycle its own waste devices. <a href="https://www.gaiaca.com/how-to-dispose-vape-pen-batteries/">Gaiaca</a> and <a href="https://www.terracycle.com/en-CA/pages/nrp-press-ca">Terracycle</a>, for example, dismantle, clean, and convert vaping devices into raw materials for use in new products in New Zealand and Canada. The US vape industry has launched recycling schemes such as DotMod, Shanlaan, Dovpo and Vinn. A battery reuse program is one example of the work done by Innokin.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/product-stewardship/products-schemes/television-computer-recycling-scheme#:%7E:text=The%20National%20Television%20and%20Computer,printers%2C%20computer%20parts%20and%20peripherals.">National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NCTRS)</a> and similar e-waste programs are popular in Australia but there is no national disposable vape recycling program. However, several well-established companies and local councils have launched ground-level recycling programs for items not covered by the NTCRS, including vaping devices. </p>
<p>Some of Australia’s community pharmacies are equipped with <a href="https://returnmed.com.au/about-us/">Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM)</a> bins. Currently, nicotine-containing vaping products are only available through prescriptions in Australia, so RUM bins can be used as a safe disposal channel. Queensland, for example, allows nicotine vaping products to be taken to community pharmacies or public health units. This includes the vaping devices themselves, not just the unused e-vape liquid. The RUM bins are used to collect the devices, which are then picked up by recycling organisations that are mostly contracted by vapes manufacturers for sorting and disassembling.</p>
<h2>Raising awareness</h2>
<p>In the absence of proper management, single-use vapes and e-cigarettes are more hazardous than single-use plastics because of the chemicals they contain. </p>
<p>Many vape users are unaware that disposable vapes can or should be recycled. In many instances, vapers are provided with basic information about vaping disposal and personal safety in relation to the hazardous materials contained in the devices, as observed by the <a href="https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/-/media/epa/corporate-site/resources/litter/vaping-device-use-and-recovery-systems.pdf?la=en&hash=1146A541D489CDD6C5B7D3E93A746CBEC678DFB6">NSW Environmental Protection Authority</a>. Since many vaping devices are designed to be single use, they cannot be easily disassembled. </p>
<p>It is important to provide users with information regarding the public and private pick-up services that can assist by collecting and disassembling vape and e-cigarette waste into separate components. This involves removing the battery, rinsing the liquid tank and its components, and recycling each of the materials. More recycling initiatives are required by leading companies in the vape industry.</p>
<p>Designing vapes and e-cigarettes for the circular economy has the potential to reduce the environmental impact. Ideally, priority would be given to reusing vapes and e-cigarettes over recycling them. </p>
<p>Vape waste should be considered a resource, for the lithium they contain. Users, policymakers, and the industry must work together to create sustainable disposal channels for vapes and e-cigarettes. </p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/my-teens-vaping-what-should-i-say-3-expert-tips-on-how-to-approach-the-talk-196205">My teen's vaping. What should I say? 3 expert tips on how to approach 'the talk'</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/199956/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The vaping craze sweeping the globe is leaving a legacy of contaiminated e-waste in landfill while waste management authorities scramble to set up recycling schemes.Michael Odei Erdiaw-Kwasie, Lecturer in Sustainability| Lead, Circular Economy Research Group, Charles Darwin UniversityMatthew Abunyewah, Research Fellow, The Australasian Centre for Resilience Implementation for Sustainable Communities, Charles Darwin UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1967312022-12-20T03:38:10Z2022-12-20T03:38:10ZThe historic COP15 outcome is an imperfect game-changer for saving nature. Here’s why Australia did us proud<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/502055/original/file-20221220-17-xwj8ci.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=13%2C48%2C4587%2C3400&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Anissa Terry/Unsplash</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Billed as the event that’ll determine the fate of the entire living world, the United Nations’ COP15 nature summit has wrapped up in Canada with a <a href="https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/e6d3/cd1d/daf663719a03902a9b116c34/cop-15-l-25-en.pdf">historic deal</a>, which includes protecting roughly a third of nature by 2030.</p>
<p>The planet is entering its sixth mass extinction event, and new evidence suggests the crisis <a href="https://theconversation.com/children-born-today-will-see-literally-thousands-of-animals-disappear-in-their-lifetime-as-global-food-webs-collapse-196286">is twice as bad</a> as scientists previously thought. The new global agreement – called the Kunming-Montreal Global biodiversity framework – saw 196 delegations commit to 23 targets to stem this tide of extinction. Its aim is to pave the way for humanity and nature to live in harmony by 2050.</p>
<p>The framework is a game-changer for global biodiversity, but it isn’t perfect. There remains a few sticking points – primarily regarding funding and firm targets – and not all world leaders are pleased with the outcome. </p>
<p>Australia is a global leader in <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/why-is-australia-a-global-leader-in-wildlife-extinctions-20200717-p55cyd.html">wildlife extinctions</a>, so has a special part to play in the negotiations. In a refreshing departure from some <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-australian-way-how-morrison-trashed-brand-australia-at-cop26-171670">previous efforts at COP meetings</a>, Australians can be proud of our representation at this one, arguing for strong targets and promising to host an international <a href="https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/plibersek/media-releases/australia-host-global-nature-positive-summit">nature summit</a> in 2024. </p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/children-born-today-will-see-literally-thousands-of-animals-disappear-in-their-lifetime-as-global-food-webs-collapse-196286">Children born today will see literally thousands of animals disappear in their lifetime, as global food webs collapse</a>
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<h2>Bringing down the gavel</h2>
<p>After four years of negotiations, including two years of delay due to COVID, the framework was adopted at 3:30am Montreal time. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/global-environment-summit-objection-idAFKBN2T30GV">Controversially</a>, the deal was declared despite objections from some wildlife-rich African countries.</p>
<p>In particular, a representative from the Democratic Republic of Congo said the nation couldn’t support the agreement. They argued that a separate fund should be developed from rich countries to support poorer ones to protect their biodiversity. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/502057/original/file-20221220-20-lqwj19.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Bonobo in a tree" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/502057/original/file-20221220-20-lqwj19.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/502057/original/file-20221220-20-lqwj19.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/502057/original/file-20221220-20-lqwj19.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/502057/original/file-20221220-20-lqwj19.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/502057/original/file-20221220-20-lqwj19.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/502057/original/file-20221220-20-lqwj19.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/502057/original/file-20221220-20-lqwj19.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The DRC is a ‘megadiverse’ country.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Australia has a lot on the line at these summits. Like Congo, Australia is one of 17 “megadiverse” countries, which together <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/about-nrs/protecting-biodiversity">account for</a> over 70% of Earth’s biodiversity. Yet, we lead the world in <a href="https://theconversation.com/gut-wrenching-and-infuriating-why-australia-is-the-world-leader-in-mammal-extinctions-and-what-to-do-about-it-192173">mammal extinctions</a> and 19 of our most important ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier Reef, <a href="https://theconversation.com/existential-threat-to-our-survival-see-the-19-australian-ecosystems-already-collapsing-154077">are collapsing</a>.</p>
<p>We’re pleased to see that Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek championed many critical inclusions of the agreement, including:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>“30x30”: 30% of land, freshwater and oceans protected by 2030</p></li>
<li><p>a strong species extinction target, which is to ensure “urgent management” to “halt human-induced extinction” and to recover threatened species</p></li>
<li><p>including targets to restore degraded lands</p></li>
<li><p>stronger regulation and targets for plastics and plastic pollution </p></li>
<li><p>requiring companies to disclose how they depend upon and impact biodiversity</p></li>
<li><p>including targets for nature-based solutions to protect against extreme events and climate change, such as restoring mangroves</p></li>
<li><p>including a reference in the deal to the circular economy, which emphasises reusing materials to produce the things we consume</p></li>
</ul>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/gut-wrenching-and-infuriating-why-australia-is-the-world-leader-in-mammal-extinctions-and-what-to-do-about-it-192173">'Gut-wrenching and infuriating': why Australia is the world leader in mammal extinctions, and what to do about it</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Some of these aspirations were included in the final agreement, most notably including the 30% protection target and targets for restoring degraded lands.</p>
<p>Some were watered down, including the timing of the goal to achieve zero new species extinctions (delaying its achievement until 2050) and relying on generic language of “urgent management action”.</p>
<p>Some, such as language on the “circular economy”, didn’t make it in. And explicit targets were removed from earlier drafts regarding the regulation of plastics and pollution, instead replaced with generic language of “prevent” and “reduce”.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1604774634305781760"}"></div></p>
<h2>Many positives to celebrate</h2>
<p>Hugely important is the target to protect and conserve 30% of the planet. This will focus on areas rich in biodiversity, such as the <a href="https://theconversation.com/ecocheck-victorias-flower-strewn-western-plains-could-be-swamped-by-development-57127">grasslands of the Victorian volcanic plain</a>, and ensure these areas are well connected and representative of different habitats. </p>
<p>But while declaring new protected areas is critical, declaration alone is insufficient.</p>
<p>To be effective, protected areas need strong investment and active conservation management of, for example, invasive species and climate change. Many of Australia’s protected areas, including national parks, <a href="https://theconversation.com/invasive-species-threaten-most-protected-areas-across-the-world-new-study-140212">are heavily impacted</a> by deer, rabbits, goats, foxes and feral cats and more. </p>
<p>Another important part of the agreement is to see at least 30% of degraded inland water and coastal and marine ecosystems under effective restoration by 2030. This is in addition to increasing protected areas to be 30% of the planet.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1604792800046116864"}"></div></p>
<p>We were also happy to see over a thousand businesses present at COP15, from IKEA to H&M Group to Unilever. More than 330 business leaders called for a strong final agreement, including the requirement for businesses to disclose how their operations <a href="https://www.businessfornature.org/news/business-call-for-mandatory-nature-assessment-and-disclosure-at-cop15">impact and depend upon nature</a>. </p>
<p>This is a significant turnaround from previous COPs, and has been <a href="https://www.businessfornature.org/news/historiccop15deal">hailed</a> by Eva Zabey, from global coalition Business for Nature, as helping “reset the rules of our economic and financial systems”. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, the final text of the agreement removed targets to halve business impacts on biodiversity, and disclosure of impacts is only required for large and transnational companies. </p>
<p>The role and <a href="https://theconversation.com/without-indigenous-leadership-attempts-to-stop-the-tide-of-destruction-against-nature-will-fail-196208?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20December%2014%202022%20-%202489824948&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20December%2014%202022%20-%202489824948+CID_52102f7329bca0ba6c794779a95136e0&utm_source=campaign_monitor&utm_term=Without%20Indigenous%20leadership%20attempts%20to%20stop%20the%20tide%20of%20destruction%20against%20nature%20will%20fail">rights of Indigenous peoples</a> and local communities was highlighted in the agreement, recognising the value of Indigenous territories and Indigenous-led conservation models. Indigenous land contains an estimated <a href="https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/indigenous-peoples-unsung-heroes-conservation">80% of global biodiversity</a>, yet Indigenous people comprise less than 5% of the world’s population. </p>
<p>Going forward, it’s crucial to <a href="https://theconversation.com/without-indigenous-leadership-attempts-to-stop-the-tide-of-destruction-against-nature-will-fail-196208">ensure these rights</a> are respected in implementing targets such as 30x30.</p>
<p>Given the important role of Indigenous Protected Areas in the makeup of Australia’s network of protected areas, properly resourcing and supporting these places and communities will be critical for Australia to meet its biodiversity targets.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/without-indigenous-leadership-attempts-to-stop-the-tide-of-destruction-against-nature-will-fail-196208">Without Indigenous leadership, attempts to stop the tide of destruction against nature will fail</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Some negatives to lament</h2>
<p>COP15 saw a strong push for more funding to flow from wealthy countries to support developing countries to protect and recover their biodiversity. But representatives from Latin American, Africa and South East Asia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/14/walkouts-and-tensions-as-row-over-finance-threatens-to-derail-cop15-talks">walked out of meetings last week</a> in protest that they weren’t being heard.</p>
<p>The eventual agreement was for US$30 billion per year to flow from wealthy to poorer countries by 2030. But these commitments are not legally binding and detail is yet to be negotiated.</p>
<p>The biggest disappointment in the new Global Biodiversity Framework is the slow pace of key targets. For example, Australia has now committed to prevent any further human-caused extinctions by 2030 – an aspiration the rest of the world should have formally adopted. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/invasive-species-threaten-most-protected-areas-across-the-world-new-study-140212">Invasive species threaten most protected areas across the world - new study</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>We can’t wait until 2050. 28 years of more species loss will leave the diversity of life depleted, undermining our environments, food systems, culture and way of life. </p>
<p>In the original text drafted ahead of the summit, there was explicit reference to achieving a “<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-022-01845-5">nature positive world</a>” by 2030. “Nature positive” refers to world where nature is regenerating rather than depleting. </p>
<p>But this framing didn’t make it into the final agreement, and will need to be progressed in other ways.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1600236677770858498"}"></div></p>
<h2>How can Australia do better?</h2>
<p>Australia was less vocal on how the 70% of land outside global protected areas is to be managed, and on ensuring sustainable consumption. </p>
<p>These are areas requiring stronger ambition and leadership, given so many native, threatened species <a href="https://theconversation.com/national-parks-are-not-enough-we-need-landholders-to-protect-threatened-species-on-their-property-176012">depend private land</a>. Indeed, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000632072200386X">habitat loss</a> is a prevailing driver of extinction in Australia.</p>
<p>An estimated <a href="https://biodiversitycouncil.org.au/media/uploads/2022_12/spending_to_save_factsheet_a4_web_copy_1.pdf">A$2 billion</a> of targeted threatened species recovery funding is needed each year to avoid extinctions and recover Australia’s threatened plants and animals. </p>
<p>But Australia has been criticised for the <a href="https://www.wwf.org.au/news/news/2022/budget-takes-positive-steps-towards-regenerating-australia#gs.lj7b7e">lack of funding</a> committed to biodiversity and threatened species recovery, compared to less biodiverse countries such as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/19/greens-lambast-labor-for-failing-to-offer-extra-funding-for-global-nature-deal-at-cop15">Germany and France</a>. </p>
<h2>Time for action</h2>
<p>Ultimately, there is plenty to be hopeful about. Biodiversity has never been so high on the agenda of political and business leaders worldwide. We now have a new global commitment to “halt and reverse” the extinction crisis with some tangible targets that the 196 signatories must respond to. </p>
<p>With this crucial agreement in place, governments, businesses and communities must now figure out how to put the agreement into practice. </p>
<p>But time is of the essence. If we let our planet sink into the depths of the sixth mass extinction, generations to come will not see the end of it. It will take tens of millions of years to recover. </p>
<p>Governments have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/15/every-global-target-to-stem-destruction-of-nature-by-2020-missed-un-report-aoe">consistently failed to meet targets</a> set for nature in previous global meetings. So we must now develop mechanisms to hold governments accountable and to collectively undertake the serious work ahead, to ensure we protect and recover our biodiversity.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/national-parks-are-not-enough-we-need-landholders-to-protect-threatened-species-on-their-property-176012">National parks are not enough – we need landholders to protect threatened species on their property</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/196731/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Sarah Bekessy receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Ian Potter Foundation and the European Commission. She is a Councillor of the Biodiversity Council, a Board Member of Bush Heritage Australia, a member of WWF's Eminent Scientists Group and a member of the Advisory Group for Wood for Good.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Brendan Wintle has received funding from The Australian Research Council, the Victorian State Government, the NSW State Government, the Queensland State Government, the Commonwealth National Environmental Science Program, the Ian Potter Foundation, the Hermon Slade Foundation, and the Australian Conservation Foundation. Wintle is a Board Director of Zoos Victoria. Brendan Wintle is a member of the Biodiversity Council</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jack Pascoe receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Australian Commonweath Government and The Ian Potter Foundation. He is affiliated with the University of Melbourne and the Conservation Ecology Centre. Jack is a member of the Biodiversity Council. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>James Fitzsimons is Director of Conservation and Science with The Nature Conservancy Australia, is a Councillor of the Biodiversity Council and a Board member of the Australian Land Conservation Alliance</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Rachel Morgain is Acting Executive Director of the Biodiversity Council. She receives funding from the Ian Potter Foundation, the Rendere Trust, the Hermon Slade Foundation, the Victorian Government, the Nature Conservancy, the Australian Conservation Foundation. She is a knowledge broker with NRM Regions Australia.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Rebecca Spindler is Executive Manager for Science and Conservation at Bush Heritage Australia, is a Councillor of the Biodiversity Council and a member of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Advisory Committee.</span></em></p>The planet is entering its sixth mass extinction event. This global nature summit is our best change to stop this tide of destruction.Sarah Bekessy, Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning, Leader, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group (ICON Science), RMIT UniversityBrendan Wintle, Professor in Conservation Science, School of Ecosystem and Forest Science, The University of MelbourneJack Pascoe, The University of MelbourneJames Fitzsimons, Adjunct Professor in Environmental Sciences, Deakin UniversityRachel Morgain, Senior Research Fellow, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of MelbourneRebecca Spindler, Adjunct Professor, UNSW SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1899852022-09-07T07:18:28Z2022-09-07T07:18:28ZWith better standards, we could make plastics endlessly useful – and slash waste. Here’s how<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/483114/original/file-20220907-14-kl1u00.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C12%2C4210%2C2779&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>If you flip over a plastic food container, you’ll see tiny writing on it – something like “AS 2070”. This means the product meets the Australian standard for plastics safe to use for food.</p>
<p>These often unrecognised standards are a part of daily life. Australia has a set of exacting standards which set quality benchmarks for many products. They act as guidelines for design and manufacture of plastic items, shaping the specific polymers used, the ability to use recycled content, and compostability. </p>
<p>There’s a real opportunity to do more here. The issues of <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/plastic-trash-in-seas-will-nearly-triple-by-2040-if-nothing-done">plastic waste in our seas</a> and the effects on <a href="https://theconversation.com/these-are-the-plastic-items-that-most-kill-whales-dolphins-turtles-and-seabirds-151200">wildlife</a> are catalysing major public concern. Part of the problem of plastic waste is the difficulty of reusing many types of plastics as the feedstock for new products. We also need stronger incentives to reduce plastic in manufacturing and design. </p>
<p>That’s where standards can come in. The European Union has used <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20180830STO11347/how-to-reduce-plastic-waste-eu-strategy-explained">standards</a> and legislation to nudge the plastics industry towards a true circular economy. This means minimising the use of plastic where possible, while ensuring old plastics can be turned into new products rather than turning into waste which could end up in our seas. We can do the same, harnessing standards to reduce plastic waste. How? By requiring companies to minimise plastic packaging and setting guidelines for products to be made of specific polymers while avoiding others. </p>
<p>Our <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/17/10876">new research</a> found a total of 95 standards. Nine of these are Australian. This means there is a great opportunity for Australian experts to get involved in the national and international standards development process.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/483110/original/file-20220907-16-zdkj9f.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="plastic fish" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/483110/original/file-20220907-16-zdkj9f.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/483110/original/file-20220907-16-zdkj9f.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483110/original/file-20220907-16-zdkj9f.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483110/original/file-20220907-16-zdkj9f.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483110/original/file-20220907-16-zdkj9f.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483110/original/file-20220907-16-zdkj9f.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483110/original/file-20220907-16-zdkj9f.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Plastic waste in our oceans is now a major environmental problem.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Naja Bertolt Jensen/Unsplash</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Why do standards matter?</h2>
<p>Think of standards as guidelines and codes of practice. Standards give product manufacturers a framework for the minimum quality and safety required to be able to sell them in Australia. They also help to provide a common language and enhance compatibility and efficiency across markets. </p>
<p>Globally, standards affect an estimated 80% of the world trade. They have real impact. If a product cannot meet the applicable standard in the country or jurisdiction it is intended for, it won’t be accepted. </p>
<p>Plastic recyclers can use standards to ensure their products meet specific requirements, and so provide quality assurance for manufacturers who buy the recycled plastics to make other products.</p>
<p>Standards for plastic reuse can ensure certain products can be used over and over. Labelling standards can also help us as consumers know which items we can and can’t recycle.</p>
<p>Both industry and government may choose to introduce standards. Standards can also increase consumer confidence, promote social acceptance of recycled products and maintain or increase the value of recycled plastics – a vital step towards a circular economy. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/heres-how-the-new-global-treaty-on-plastic-pollution-can-help-solve-this-crisis-179149">Here's how the new global treaty on plastic pollution can help solve this crisis</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>By bringing in new standards for other stages of the plastics supply chain, we could leverage this powerful tool and help standardise parts of the emerging international circular economy in plastics. </p>
<p>Standards could help us reduce waste at all stages of a product’s lifecycle, from design to manufacture to recycling to reuse.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/483111/original/file-20220907-11-i2yi7j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="plastic pellets" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/483111/original/file-20220907-11-i2yi7j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/483111/original/file-20220907-11-i2yi7j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483111/original/file-20220907-11-i2yi7j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483111/original/file-20220907-11-i2yi7j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483111/original/file-20220907-11-i2yi7j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483111/original/file-20220907-11-i2yi7j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483111/original/file-20220907-11-i2yi7j.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Standards can help ensure plastics can actually be broken down and recycled into new products.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Planet Ark/IQ Renew</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>What did we find?</h2>
<p>We worked with <a href="https://www.standards.org.au/">Standards Australia</a> to map <a href="https://research.csiro.au/ending-plastic-waste/projects/knowledge-and-data/standards/standards-mapping">existing plastics standards</a> around the world. We also went looking for missing links which, if filled, could help to better manage plastic waste. </p>
<p>The majority of existing plastic standards – both Australian and international – are focused on recycling and recovery or waste disposal parts of plastic’s lifecycle. </p>
<p>To create a true circular economy for plastics, we’ll need to update existing standards and develop more which specifically focus on the early stages of plastic production, such as design or creation of the basic building blocks of plastics. </p>
<p>Think of nurdles, the pea-sized plastic beads produced in their trillions as a key first step to making many plastics. When nurdles spill into the sea, they’re <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/29/nurdles-plastic-pellets-environmental-ocean-spills-toxic-waste-not-classified-hazardous?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other">very bad news</a> for wildlife. If we create standards focused on these steps, we can help reduce their impact. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/483112/original/file-20220907-22-kl1u00.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Nurdles on beach" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/483112/original/file-20220907-22-kl1u00.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/483112/original/file-20220907-22-kl1u00.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483112/original/file-20220907-22-kl1u00.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483112/original/file-20220907-22-kl1u00.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483112/original/file-20220907-22-kl1u00.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483112/original/file-20220907-22-kl1u00.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/483112/original/file-20220907-22-kl1u00.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Tiny plastic nurdles - pre-production plastics - cause real damage to the environment.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Wikimedia</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Adding more standards could also help us tackle the challenges around making products reusable and recyclable, as well as cutting how much packaging is needed for products. </p>
<p>We can also use them to help assess biodegradable products, to ensure they don’t make existing waste or recycling streams harder to process. </p>
<p>And importantly, standardising the labelling of products could help us as consumers. Imagine if labels on plastic products included the amount of recycled plastics, as well as a rating of how recyclable or compostable the product was.</p>
<p>This would give manufacturers incentives to make simpler products better able to be recycled. It would also avoid specific problems such as multi-layer plastics which are not cost effective to recycle. </p>
<p>In short, plastic standards are an often overlooked way for us to improve how we use and reuse these extraordinarily versatile modern materials. </p>
<p>Plastics don’t have to become environmentally destructive waste. They can be almost endlessly useful – if we require it. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/local-efforts-have-cut-plastic-waste-on-australias-beaches-by-almost-30-in-6-years-184243">Local efforts have cut plastic waste on Australia's beaches by almost 30% in 6 years</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/189985/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Qamar Schuyler does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Product standards have real power. We could use them to reduce waste at every part of the plastic lifecycle.Qamar Schuyler, Research Scientist, Oceans and Atmospheres, CSIROLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1880142022-08-15T14:56:15Z2022-08-15T14:56:15ZAfrican digital innovators are turning plastic waste into value – but there are gaps<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/478522/original/file-20220810-15-j2s91z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Plastic waste in Kampala, Uganda. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/plastic-wastes-are-seen-in-kampala-uganda-on-march-10-2022-news-photo/1239258007?adppopup=true">Omer Faruk Ozbil/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Plastic pollution is a growing global menace. Between 2010 and 2020, the global production of plastics <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/282732/global-production-of-plastics-since-1950/">increased</a> from 270 million tonnes to 367 million tonnes. Every year, <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1260352">more than 12 million tonnes of plastics</a> end up in the world’s oceans, with severe consequences for marine life. When macro plastics degrade into micro-plastics, they easily contaminate the food chain and pose significant threats to human health via <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378512218303505">inhalation and ingestion</a>. </p>
<p>By 2030, plastic waste is <a href="https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy-in-africa-plastics">expected to double</a> to 165 million tonnes in African countries. Most of this will be in Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.</p>
<p>A significant proportion of <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/29/opinions/by-exporting-trash-rich-countries-put-their-waste-out-of-sight-and-out-of-mind-varkkey/index.html">the plastic that ends up on African shores</a> is produced in developed, industrialised countries. By 2010, it was estimated that <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X17305286">close to 4.4 million tonnes</a> of mismanaged plastic waste was in oceans and seas off the coast of Africa every year. A <a href="https://www.wwfkenya.org/?233390/Plastic-Pollution-in-Africa-Identifying-Policy-Gaps-and-Opportunities">2022 estimate</a> has put this number at 17 million tonnes.</p>
<p>Growing numbers of NGOs and innovators across the continent are responding to the challenge. They are <a href="https://www.digitaltimes.africa/afri-plastics-challenge-reveals-wealth-of-african-innovation/#">developing digital solutions</a> to reduce plastic waste generation, and promoting reuse and recyling of plastic products. Increasingly, African tech hubs are incorporating environmental sustainability in their <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09537325.2021.1947492">business models</a>. </p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23322373.2021.1999750">our recent paper</a>, we highlight ongoing efforts and innovations in what is called the plastic value chain. This comprises four phases, from the design of plastic products to manufacture, use, and end of life.</p>
<p>We found a number of initiatives that are transforming the plastic value chain into a smart, innovative and sustainable network. Most aim to improve plastic identification, collection, transport, sorting, processing and reuse. Some focus on the earlier phases: design and production of plastic products. </p>
<p>A whole value chain approach to the circular plastic economy is very important. While the majority of plastic waste management activities tend to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479721020375">focus on the use and end-of-life phases</a>, more attention needs to be given to <a href="https://oceanfdn.org/initiatives/redesigning-plastics-initiative/">design</a> and manufacture. This is where the problem of plastic waste begins. </p>
<p>Worldwide, attention is turning to designing simpler and standardised products that are easier to recyle and <a href="https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/how-reduce-impacts-single-use-plastic-products">reuse</a>.</p>
<h2>Innovators cracking the code</h2>
<p>A Nigerian software company, <a href="https://www.wecyclers.com/">Wecyclers</a>, operates a rewards-for-recycling platform. It offers incentives to individuals and households in low-income communities to make money and capture value from recyclable plastic waste. </p>
<p>Via the platform, waste collectors are connected to a fleet of locally assembled waste cargo vehicles. They use these to collect waste from subscribing households. These households are also rewarded according to the quantity of waste collected from them. </p>
<p>The collected waste is deposited in designated locations in the Lagos metropolis, to be collected in bulk by recyclers. This provides materials to manufacturers who turn it into new items like tissue paper, stuffing for bedding, plastic furniture, aluminium sheets and nylon bags.</p>
<p>The impact is significant on many levels. Firstly, by linking waste generating households with waste collectors in their neighbourhoods, the Wecycler model simplifies the logistics of collection and sorting at source, at practically no cost to households. Secondly, it enables households not only to mitigate the public health risks associated with plastic waste accumulation and mismanagement, but also to generate income. Finally, it elongates the end-of-life phase in the plastic value chain through recycling and potential reuse. </p>
<p>In Uganda, <a href="https://yowasteapp.com/">Yo Waste</a>, a technology start-up, has developed a mobile, cloud-based solution that connects waste generators to the nearest waste haulers in their community. Yo Waste improves the efficiency of scheduling and waste collection. It also helps waste collection companies measure the productivity of their trucks, and gives recyclers easier access to the plastic waste. </p>
<p>In Zambia, <a href="https://www.gistnetwork.org/recyclebot">Recyclebot</a> is connecting waste sellers to waste buyers via a crowdsourcing platform that aggregates waste by type and location. In effect, the plastic waste producers dispose of their waste for free, and waste buyers overcome the cost of separation, transfer and storage. </p>
<p>While these are promising innovations, the main challenge is scaling. <a href="http://parmindervir.com/5-challenges-that-african-start-ups-face-in-business/">This is slow on the continent</a>. Start-ups in the recycling industry face additional challenges like inadequate funding and an under-developed plastic market that offers limited opportunities for growth and income generation. </p>
<p>A significant proportion of the funds accessed by start-ups is provided as grants from international and local organisations. Pure business investments are rare, and policy interventions are way behind the curve. </p>
<h2>What can be done</h2>
<p>To accelerate the transition to a circular plastic economy, stakeholders from across a spectrum of organisations must work together. They include NGOs, cooperatives, think tanks and community groups. The current approach to tackle plastic waste on the continent remains scattered and inadequately co-ordinated. While efforts are being made to develop new ecosystems in many countries, key stakeholders are often missing. </p>
<p>In particular, African governments have a key role to play. They need to commit more to strategic investment in infrastructure, incentives and support for start-ups. African countries also need policy interventions to grow the market for circular plastic products at national and continent-wide levels. </p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362609257_Technology_acceptance_and_readiness_of_stakeholders_for_transitioning_to_a_circular_plastic_economy_in_Africa">another study</a>, we argued that innovators must tailor their strategies to create innovations that are functional and easy to use. This will make it easier for ordinary consumers and the general public to accept them. In turn it will help change habits of consumption and expand the market for circular plastic products.</p>
<p>Digital innovators, as early adopters, are critical for driving changes in the way the plastics economy works across the continent. Their innovations are also leading to knowledge exchange and cross-sectoral collaborations. </p>
<p>However, they also face significant institutional challenges and infrastructural limitations that are slowing down the pace of progress. By working together and pooling resources, stakeholders can achieve an impact that is much greater than the sum of their individual initiatives and contributions towards a circular plastic economy in Africa.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/188014/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Seun Kolade receives funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)/EPSRC as a co-investigator of the project titled Digital Innovations for Transitioning to a Circular Plastic Economy in Africa (DITCh Plastic). Project Reference: EP/T029846/1</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Muyiwa Oyinlola receives funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)/EPSRC as a Principal investigator of the project titled Digital Innovations for Transitioning to a Circular Plastic Economy in Africa (DITCh Plastic). Project Reference: EP/T029846/1. </span></em></p>It’s important to look at the whole value chain in the plastics economy, starting with design of products that can be reused and recycled.Seun Kolade, Associate professor, De Montfort UniversityMuyiwa Oyinlola, Professor, De Montfort UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1835572022-08-09T17:17:27Z2022-08-09T17:17:27ZHow centuries of self-isolation turned Japan into one of the most sustainable societies on Earth<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/475928/original/file-20220725-20-v589e8.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">'Lower Meguro (Shimo Meguro)', artist: Katsushika Hokusai, c1830–32</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/55226">The Met Museum</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>At the start of the 1600s, Japan’s rulers feared that Christianity – which had recently been introduced to the southern parts of the country by European missionaries – would spread. In response, they effectively sealed the islands off from the outside world in 1603, with Japanese people not allowed to leave and very few foreigners allowed in. This became known as Japan’s Edo period, and the borders remained closed for almost three centuries until 1868.</p>
<p>This allowed the country’s unique culture, customs and ways of life to flourish in isolation, much of which was recorded in art forms that remain alive today such as haiku poetry or kabuki theatre. It also meant that Japanese people, living under a system of heavy trade restrictions, had to rely totally on the materials already present within the country which created a thriving economy of <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1475-6781.2006.00086.x">reuse and recycling</a>). In fact, Japan was self-sufficient in resources, energy and food and sustained a population of up to 30 million, all without the use of fossil fuels or chemical fertilisers.</p>
<p>The people of the Edo period lived according to what is now known as the “slow life”, a sustainable set of lifestyle practices based around <a href="https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/claire-potter/welcome-to-the-circular-economy/9781913947125/">wasting as little as possible</a>. Even light didn’t go to waste – daily activities started at sunrise and ended at sunset.</p>
<p>Clothes were mended and reused many times until they ended up as tattered rags. <a href="https://www.resilience.org/stories/2005-04-05/japans-sustainable-society-edo-period-1603-1867/">Human ashes and excrement were reused as fertiliser</a>, leading to a thriving business for traders who went door to door collecting these precious substances to sell on to farmers. We could call this an early circular economy.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/476927/original/file-20220801-24-miglb3.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Painting of people washing in a river" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/476927/original/file-20220801-24-miglb3.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/476927/original/file-20220801-24-miglb3.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476927/original/file-20220801-24-miglb3.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476927/original/file-20220801-24-miglb3.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476927/original/file-20220801-24-miglb3.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476927/original/file-20220801-24-miglb3.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476927/original/file-20220801-24-miglb3.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Washing in a river – Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.katsushikahokusai.org/">katsushikahokusai.org</a></span>
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<p>Another characteristic of the slow life was its use of seasonal time, meaning that ways of measuring time shifted along with the seasons. In pre-modern China and Japan, the 12 zodiac signs (known in Japanese as juni-shiki) were used to divide the day into 12 sections of about two hours each. The length of these sections varied depending on changing sunrise and sunset times. </p>
<p>During the Edo period, a similar system was used to divide the time between sunrise and sunset into six parts. As a result, an “hour” differed hugely depending on whether it was measured during summer, winter, night or day. The idea of regulating life by unchanging time units like minutes and seconds simply didn’t exist. </p>
<p>Instead, Edo people – who wouldn’t have owned clocks – judged time by the sound of bells installed in castles and temples. Allowing the natural world to dictate life in this way gave rise to a sensitivity to the seasons and their abundant natural riches, helping to develop an <a href="https://www.japanfs.org/en/edo/index.html">environmentally friendly set of cultural values</a>.</p>
<h2>Working with nature</h2>
<p>From the mid-Edo period onwards, rural industries – including cotton cloth and oil production, silkworm farming, paper-making and sake and miso paste production – began to flourish. People held seasonal festivals with a rich and diverse range of local foods, wishing for fertility during cherry blossom season and commemorating the harvests of the autumn. </p>
<p>This unique, eco-friendly social system came about partly due to necessity, but also due to the profound cultural experience of living in close harmony with nature. This needs to be recaptured in the modern age in order to achieve a more sustainable culture – and there are some modern-day activities that can help.</p>
<p>For instance <em>zazen</em>, or “sitting meditation”, is a practice from Buddhism that can help people carve out a space of peace and quiet to experience the sensations of nature. These days, a number of urban temples offer zazen sessions. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/476928/original/file-20220801-24-lqynkf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Lady meditates in forest" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/476928/original/file-20220801-24-lqynkf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/476928/original/file-20220801-24-lqynkf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476928/original/file-20220801-24-lqynkf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476928/original/file-20220801-24-lqynkf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476928/original/file-20220801-24-lqynkf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476928/original/file-20220801-24-lqynkf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/476928/original/file-20220801-24-lqynkf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">You don’t need water to go forest bathing.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Palatinate Stock / shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The second example is “forest bathing”, a term coined by the director general of Japan’s forestry agency in 1982. There are many different styles of <a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/blog/forest-bathing">forest bathing</a>, but the most popular form involves spending screen-free time immersed in the peace of a forest environment. Activities like these can help develop an appreciation for the rhythms of nature that can in turn lead us <a href="https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/35829/1/%E2%98%86%E6%97%85%E8%A1%8C%E5%8C%BB%E5%AD%A6%E4%BC%9A%E6%8E%A1%E6%8A%9E%E8%AB%96%E6%96%87%20%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%81%AE%E6%A3%AE%E6%9E%97%E6%B5%B4%E3%81%A8%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%83%90%E3%82%A6%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89%E3%83%84%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AA%E3%82%BA%E3%83%A0.pdf">towards a more sustainable lifestyle</a> – one which residents of Edo Japan might appreciate.</p>
<p>In an age when the need for more sustainable lifestyles has become a global issue, we should respect the wisdom of the Edo people who lived with time as it changed with the seasons, who cherished materials and used the wisdom of reuse as a matter of course, and who realised a recycling-oriented lifestyle for many years. Learning from their way of life could provide us with effective guidelines for the future.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/183557/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Hiroko Oe does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Japanese people had to rely totally on materials already present within the country.Hiroko Oe, Principal Academic, Bournemouth UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.