Shell Australia is challenging SMEs to find a solution to problematic plastic recycling.
As part of Round two of the GeneratER program, which opened on 2 December 2021, Western Australian-based businesses are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to identify, segregate and provide solutions to optimise plastic waste recycling using circular economy principles.
Shell aims to reduce its waste sent to landfill and achieve a target of at least 80 per cent overall waste recycling and reuse.
Shell-operated Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facilities current waste stream consists of 80 per cent recyclable plastics which are easily segregated and collected. However, about 5-10 per cent of plastic waste is non-recoverable. The challenge is to identify solutions that assist in segregating plastic from comingled waste streams, where normal physical separation techniques are not adequate.
Shell also aims to find locally-made solutions to produce long-lasting, reusable, toxic-free plastic products. Shell is interested in restorative and regenerative design solutions to use waste by keeping the value of plastics unimpaired in the economy. This means materials flow in a ‘closed loop’ system, rather than being used once and discarded.
Ashley Bates, Shell Australia’s General Manager Supply Chain, said the new challenge aligns with Shell Australia’s national waste strategy and its aspiration of sending zero waste to landfill.
“Respecting nature is a central part of our strategy, and we continue to work to reduce waste and explore opportunities to integrate a circular economy approach into our operations and supply chains.”
Following a selection process , Shell Australia will choose one or more companies to undertake a pilot. National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) will provide up to $50,000 funding to support each pilot.
In June, NERA launched GeneratER to help boost small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the energy resources supply chain. GeneratER will offer all participating challenge applicants customised mentoring and support to develop business capability and increase the likelihood of future success.
The challenge closes at 5pm AWST on 14 January 2022.
Expressions of interest are now open for the Shell challenge, which provides an opportunity for SMEs to identify innovative ways of segregating plastic from co-mingled waste streams and to further enable the production of long-lasting, reusable, toxic-free products.
For more information, visit: www.nera.org.au/GeneratER-Challenge-4