The 2024 Waste Expo Australia event is around the corner, with more than 100 industry leaders and speakers set to share insights and encourage discussion around waste and sustainability topics.
With just over two months until the event kicks off at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the conference schedule has been released, detailing an extensive program of industry speakers.
The two-day event runs across 23 and 24 October, with a conference covering four key streams; Government and Policy, Circular Economy, Construction and Demolition and Commercial and Industrial (CD&CI), and Waste to Energy & Case Studies.
As the nation’s largest gathering of waste management professionals, the Expo brings together leaders in waste, recycling, resource recovery and sustainability, providing a platform for discussion and collaboration.
Anne Prince, Director of APC WasteConsultants, is moderating the first session for the Government and Policy stream. With the help of panelists from VicReturn, TOMRA Cleanaway, Return It and VISY, the panel will look at the recently implemented Victorian Container Deposit Scheme.
“Waste Expo is the perfect platform from which to review Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme [CDS]. Evaluating the CDS after its first full year allows us to reflect on the scheme achievements and also identify the challenges encountered. Together we can identify opportunities for continuous improvement strategies. This panel will give attendees an insight into the processes involved in the implementation, assessment and management of the CDS,” Prince said.
In the conference’s Circular Economy stream, Dr Sarah King, Technical Director, GHD is chairing a panel focused on designing circular precincts and regions. She feels that implementing these systems is an important step forward in sustainability efforts, reducing materials extraction and accumulated waste.
“Building a circular economy moves away from the linear approach we are familiar with and embraces a productive and more sustainable system. A circular economy reuses, repurposes and recycles materials, creating new jobs, reducing environmental impacts and efficiently consuming resources,” King said.
“In this panel, we will chat with speakers who are working on advancing circular economy in their regions, including Luke Wilkinson, Director of Regional Strengths for Latrobe Valley Authority, Tina Perfrement of Business and Industry Experience for the City of Greater Geelong and Lorna Mathieson from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. Through this session, we will identify common elements for regional circular economy transition by discussing goals, drivers, waste elimination, reduction, and value add.”
The conference will feature more than 100 speakers across 60 sessions, including TOMRA Cleanaway Chief Executive Officer James Dorney, Chairman of ALOA Daniel Fyfe and Chief Executive Officer of Return It Marc Churchin.
Outside of the conference, Waste Expo Australia offers a trade exhibition with more than 100 high-calibre suppliers from across the waste management, recycling, and technology spaces. A free ticket to the Expo also provides access to the Expo’s networking event, a valuable opportunity for collaboration and learning. The event offers a space for attendees and industry leaders to mingle.
More than 3000 attendees are expected, including representatives from waste services, landfill, government, consultancy and material recovery facilities. Waste Expo Australia provides an important opportunity to collaborate with and hear from industry-leading experts across the waste and resource recovery value chain.
Waste Expo Australia Exhibition Manager Sherri Pearson is thrilled to be bringing the expo back for another year. Between the exhibition, conference and networking event, Pearson said there is something for everyone.
“Maintaining the reputation of excellence from previous Waste Expo Australia conferences, we are very fortunate to be joined this year by some fantastic speakers and industry leaders in the waste management sector. We are proud to provide a platform from which people can gain industry insights through case studies and panels.
“Through the Expo, we hope to encourage thought leadership and progress within the sector while also offering a sourcing platform for business and operational needs, and peer-to-peer networking,” Pearson said.
The conference, trade exhibition, and networking function are free to attend, and registration is open now. Register to attend and view the full conference program at https://www.wasteexpoaustralia.com.au