Some of the waste and resource recovery sector’s brightest minds were recognised at the 2024 Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards.
From an innovative recycling program using prisoner labour, to a dynamic founder with a visionary approach to resource recovery, and a world-first recycling facility, this year’s Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards shone a spotlight on people and projects making a difference.
Industry came together at a packed gala dinner held at The Trust in Melbourne’s CBD, to celebrate excellence across the industry.
More than 30 individuals and projects were shortlisted across eight categories, presented by respected media personality James O’Loghlin.
OUTSTANDING WARR PROJECT – REGIONAL
Awarded to Queensland Corrective Services for its Environmental Management Recycling Program.
Lotus Glen is the northern most correctional facility in Queensland. In 2022 it commenced the Environmental Management Recycling Program, the largest recycling program in a correctional facility in Queensland.
Using prisoner labour, it diverted about 50 per cent of its waste from landfill. With 74 per cent of the population at Lotus Glen, First Nations, the facility is not only looking to protect the environment, but also provide training and opportunities for people on release.
The end goal is to use all resources available to reduce waste to the lowest possible level, offset carbon and provide opportunity to reduce recidivism.
OUTSTANDING WARR PROJECT – METRO
Awarded to Waste Circularity Team – Frankston City Council for the implementation of its separate glass service.
Frankston City Council implemented a separate glass service to all residential households in October 2023.
The rollout was seamless due to planning and communication with the community, which included the implementation of a gender impact assessment, allowing for an intersectional approach to communications, and accurate data for service providers.
Accepting the award, a council spokesperson said the glass bin introduction had been a long journey and the project team was critical to its success.
“People at first thought ‘why do we need a glass bin?’ But the outcome has been huge,” he said. “The markets that we’ve created and supported by having a very clean product has been fantastic.”
He said the community had embraced the journey – of 50,000 bins distributed, just 20 have been asked to be returned in the first year.
“Twelve months in, we’ve just recently had a community survey which has basically given us the ‘thumbs up’.”
OUTSTANDING FACILITY AWARD
Awarded to Rino Recycling for its new recycling facility.
Rino Recycling is a state-of-the-art construction and demolition waste recycling facility in Pinkenba, Brisbane, transforming 1.5 million tonnes per year of co-mingled waste into high-quality recycled construction materials, including aggregates, road base, fill, and sands.
The facility is the world’s largest under one roof by volume and the first of its kind globally.
Setting this facility apart is the integration of wet and dry processing technologies and automated processing, sorting, and separating technologies to process diverse waste streams, enhancing waste recovery rates and efficiency.
It represents a ground-breaking step towards a circular economy by significantly reducing landfill and carbon emissions.
Daniel Blaser, MBA Rino General Manager, said there had been a lot of people pulling together to establish a world-first facility.
“To take the lead in the industry and then be able to make it a success and do it on time and on budget in this current climate has been fantastic,” he said. “This award is a really big reward and recognition for our staff.”
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SUCCESS, Proudly Sponsored by Visy.
Awarded to Bayside City Council for its Bayside Roving Repair Program.
Bayside launched an exciting initiative focused on reducing waste by encouraging repair and reuse rather than throwing items away.
The program started a repair culture across Bayside, giving the community opportunities to repair items destined for landfill, while building knowledge and social connections through events.
A council spokesperson said a series of repair workshops, supported by volunteer repairers, taught the community how to repair everything from textiles, to electronics and even bicycles.
“We encouraged accessibility and throughout the program ran workshops in a variety of locations across the municipality,” the spokesperson said.
“We really wanted to promote a circular economy and it was a raging success. I’m really proud to receive this award.”
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR, proudly sponsored by REMONDIS Australia.
Awarded to Thomas Anton, from Repurpose It.
Thomas, head of customer experience at Repurpose It, is driven by his passion to provide circular outcomes for customers. He manages the entire customer experience, including the front line of communication, ensuring a positive experience, and fostering long-lasting relationships with customers.
With 15 staff in customer-facing roles across the business, setting expectations and building leadership and autonomy has been paramount to Thomas’ team’s success.
The team works across multiple sites – Epping, Montrose, and Hallam, and Thomas actively participates in the day-to-day activities of all sites ensuring staff are engaged and supported.
INNOVATION AWARD, proudly sponsored by Veolia Australia and New Zealand
Awarded to ReSource for pioneering ethical and innovative recycling.
Recognising that the old way of recycling e-waste isn’t enough to tackle the volume of e-waste and process it as efficiently and sustainably as possible, ReSource has invested in technology to raise the standards.
The e-waste specialist has introduced new technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven battery sorting, recycling of alkaline and zinc carbon batteries, as well as high-efficiency recycling for low-value items.
It has implemented dual-stage activated carbon filters to ensure heavy metal or volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from its processing don’t enter the atmosphere. It’s also implemented AI-powered thermally activated fire cannons to stop any fires that might come from e-waste.
ReSource is the first company in Australia to be energy negative in processing, due to its 860-kilowatt solar system.
WOMAN OF WASTE, Proudly Sponsored by Re.Group
Awarded to Vanja Marjanovic from the City of Melville.
Vanja is the Waste Co-ordinator at the City of Melville. Since moving from Croatia to Perth in 2000 to escape conflict, she’s learned English, completed her studies and quickly risen the ranks of the waste industry.
Industry peers know her for her ability to improve operations, align strategy and respect and support her staff.
Vanja is responsible for overseeing a team of 30, more than $10 million in fleet, a further $5 million in assets and plays a key role in behaviour change, best practice innovative waste management and expert guidance on waste management plans to internal and external stakeholders.
She also ensures efficient contract management and contributes to the development of annual operational and capital budgets for the department.
Accepting the award, Vanja said each day offers the opportunity to make small adjustments and help those around you feel valuable, heard, respected and appreciated.
“My intentions are to continue to motivate woman, and those under-represented groups to chase careers in the industry,” she said.
“The goal is to build a legacy where success is determined by talent and hard work not by gender or background. My team at Melville allows me to accomplish all these tasks to create a better workplace experience for everyone.”
LEADER OF THE YEAR
Awarded to Narelle Anderson from Envirobank.
Narelle is the Founder and Managing Director of Envirobank, a company revolutionising recycling in Australia.
Narelle has championed innovative solutions to combat waste, fostering a culture of sustainability. Her leadership has positioned Envirobank as one of the leaders in environmental stewardship, implementing cutting-edge technology and consumer-friendly initiatives to enhance recycling efficiency.
She said that after 16 years at Envirobank and nearly 30 years in the recycling and sustainability industry, the journey had been one of constant learning and growth.
“You can’t be a leader without a fabulous team, and I want to acknowledge all the people that I get to work with at Envirobank,” she said.
“This award is a reflection of the amazing team and community that have supported and inspired me every step of the way. Together, we’ve been able to drive change, push boundaries and work towards a more sustainable future.”
Stay tuned for more on our individual winners in coming weeks.
For more information, www.wasteawards.com.au/