Waste matters at Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo 2015

Industry members and thought leaders will be talking trash, in its various forms, at this year’s Australasian Waste and Recycling Expo (AWRE) when the trade event returns to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from August 12 to 13.

Individuals can now register to attend the free event, which each year presents an opportunity for industry and government to come together under the one roof to discuss and learn about different solutions to contemporary waste issues such as bio-hazardous, electronic and organic waste.

Now in its sixth year and supported by key industry partners Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA), Waste Contractors Recyclers Association and Keep Australia Beautiful, the expo enables attendees to interact with the latest technology, equipment and solutions from over 100 specialist suppliers.

Alexandra Haughton, AWRE Event Manager, said that AWRE hoped to connect government and other businesses with Australasian companies who are leading the way for waste management and recycling services.

This includes a dedicated ‘E-Waste Zone’ featuring leading electronic waste services from companies such as MobileMuster and ECOACTIV.

“Australia’s e-waste problem continues to grow at a rapid rate, despite the fact about 90 per cent of the materials used to make televisions, mobile phones and computers can be recycled,” Ms Haughton said.

“It’s important that we work towards connecting people and businesses with the proper recycling solutions to avoid sending more recyclable materials to landfill.”

Ms Haughton said the event’s two-day seminar program would cover the latest in government policies; case studies showcasing innovation and best practice; and new products and services in the waste management and resource recovery industry.

The seminar program will include dedicated e-waste sessions – ‘e-waste futures’ and ‘businesses go e-waste free’ – with Kate Gavens, Director of Sustainability Policy at the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, leading the e-waste futures session to discuss role of regulation and landfill bans.

“Solutions to organic waste will also feature prominently on the seminar program this year,” Ms Haughton said.

“This includes an afternoon session on ‘market development and research in organics’ featuring representatives from the Environment Protection Authority Victoria and Sustainability Victoria, as well as a session on ‘food recycling in commercial premises’ led by innovative Australian company Closed Loop.”

Val Southam, WMAA CEO, said AWRE was an important event on the annual calendar for the waste management and resource recovery industry and encouraged members to head along to learn about the latest technologies and products.

“Each year we witness significant product and technology innovation – it’s essential we have events such as AWRE to keep up with the latest developments.”

Ms Haughton said that for the first time, AWRE organisers, stakeholders and exhibitors would be working together to deliver an event that has minimal impact on the environment.

“This year we’ve established the Towards Zero Landfill Project so that almost all waste produced by the event is either reused or recycled, rather than sent to landfill. The events team will run a completely paperless operation and exhibitors will be encouraged to do the same,” Ms Haughton said.

 

ENDS

Media contact:

Jessica Brophy, Truth Agency

0431 268 549 / [email protected]