“For Australia to realise its circular economy ambitions, then the time for trial and error is over.” So says sustainability advocate Sally Williams, chair of Waste Expo Australia for the past three years.
As Melbourne gears up to host the 2023 conference and exhibition in October, she says one of the key takeaways from last year’s event was that Australia needs to now start thinking seriously about the end game.
“It’s wonderful to have innovation, but we must think it through to a positive conclusion so that we’re not wasting time and resources creating something that doesn’t have an end goal clearly in mind,” Sally says.
“We have run out of time for endless trial and error – we’re better than that now. Industry needs to design out waste, tick all the boxes and then launch it.
“We need ongoing and sustainable solutions targeted directly to end goal solutions.”
Sally believes that an end-to-end approach is resonating across all sectors of the waste and resource recovery industry.
Waste Expo Australia is providing the platform for collaboration, which is evidenced by industry’s willingness to share experiences, technology, and research.
The 2022 expo, the first live event back from COVID-19 lockdowns, attracted thousands of people. Sally says: “you could feel the excitement.” And she expects that this year’s two-day conference program, which will include 60 sessions across four stages and involve more than 100 industry speakers, will be pivotal in establishing a formula for the future.
The exhibition floor will also feature more than 100 equipment and technology suppliers.
“As chair, it’s been amazing to see the sea of people attending sessions. Some of these speakers attract so much interest that there’s standing room only,” Sally says.
“They are all experts in their field, all collaborating, communicating, and putting their ideas forward.
“It’s a unique, national platform for people to share their voice and encourage difficult discussions.”
Combining resources
Sally says that while the circular economy is expected to be a key focus of the conference, waste-to-energy solutions, commercial and industrial waste management will be key subjects throughout the event. In addition, community engagement and education, FOGO waste management and government policy will also be high on the agenda.
“Government regulation needs improvement to reach a circular economy, and with a cross section of resource recovery professionals, government representatives and industry leaders in attendance, the 2023 expo will be a unique opportunity for local and federal government to learn directly from industry professionals,” she says.
“It is vitally important they learn from the experts, or at least network, and get to know the people they need to be working with to meet our waste and resource recovery targets.”
Future solutions
Ben Morgan, General Manager for BINGO Industries, agrees. He’s been involved in several Waste Expos, both as a panellist and presenter, and says it plays an important role in showcasing available technology and what industry is capable of.
“There’s still a lot of inequality between what companies can deliver and transparency,” he says.
“It’s great when members of regulatory bodies attend these expos, and they can get an understanding of what’s needed to do a genuine job of recycling material.
“Waste Expo Australia brings a spotlight to things that the industry needs to have open conversations about. It’s a look under the bonnet of what industry can do and what we’re trying to strive toward.”
Ben expects construction and demolition waste to garner a lot of attention at the expo, particularly as the economy continues to tighten. He says that as construction works slow down there will be an incentive to “race to the bottom” on prices. Industry wants to be promoting the right pathway for building and demolition resources to be entering the circular economy.
Waste-to-energy and its role in Australia moving away from landfilling, will also be a key discussion point.
“We need to do everything we can to recover every single tonne of material we have and divert it from landfill,” Ben says.
“We’re a rich country, blessed with a lot of natural resources. Can we realistically deliver a waste free Australia?
“I think we can.”
Waste Expo Australia will be held from 25-26 October 2023 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
For more information, visit: www.wasteexpoaustralia.com.au
