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Finding value from waste: Innovating for a circular economy

Finding value from waste: Innovating for a circular economy. Adam Connell James Cook University Environment Manager Estate Directorate. James Cook University. Townsville, Cairns, Singapore 22,000 students 4,700 staff Strategic Intent:

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Finding value from waste: Innovating for a circular economy

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  1. Finding value from waste: Innovating for a circular economy Adam Connell James Cook University Environment Manager Estate Directorate

  2. James Cook University • Townsville, Cairns, Singapore • 22,000 students • 4,700 staff • Strategic Intent: • “Creating a brighter future for life in the tropics world-wide through graduates and discoveries that make a difference”

  3. James Cook University

  4. James Cook University • First University to sign the commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2016

  5. Sustainability @ JCU • TropEco program responsible for sustainability initiatives, including: • Staff, student and community engagement • Waste/resource management • Energy and carbon • Water • Sustainable transport • Biodiversity and natural assets • Community gardens • Governance

  6. Waste management @ JCU • Waste Reduction Management Plan • Key objectives: • Reduce total waste and divert from landfill • Find value from waste • Work with other businesses and organisations to find solutions for various waste streams • Look at local solutions where possible • Work toward circular economy solutions where possible • Many challenges to reduce waste to landfill in NQ • SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production Circular economy Source: www.bsd.co.uk

  7. Waste profile

  8. Waste profile

  9. Waste profile

  10. Waste profile

  11. Waste management @ JCU Waste targets

  12. Bio-Regen System - value from food waste

  13. Bio-Regen System

  14. Bio-Regen System • VRM - local Townsville company, worldwide reach • 50,000 L of bio-fertiliser produced (25,000L in 2018) • $30,000 saving per annum in waste collections alone • 15,000 kg of food waste diverted from landfill • Social and environmental benefits • Emissions reductions • Bio-fertiliser used for soil enhancement

  15. Green Bike Fleet Program

  16. How it works Abandoned and donated bikes collected by TropEco bike mechanics and taken to the bike workshop Bikes assessed Unusable bikes stripped for parts and recycled Usable bikes repaired Bikes enter Green Bike Fleet and sold to students Bikes donated or sold back to Green Bike Fleet

  17. The Numbers Funding still available in GBF account after four years Seed funding provided from JCU Action for Sustainability Fund in 2013 Bikes sold through the GBF in Townsville since July 2013 $10,000 Bikes sold in Townsville in 2018 to date $15,000 600 75 9825kg 55 $32,750 Bikes sold through the GBF in Cairns since February 2017 Avoided waste to landfill through reuse and recycling 800 Income from sales of bikes through the GBF Employment hours for mechanics working on the GBF program

  18. Sustainability in action • Program demonstrates true sustainability • Environmental • Promotes reuse and recycling of resources • Reduces car transport and carbon emissions • Social • Encourages social interaction • Provides health and wellbeing benefits • Provides a means of transport to students where car travel may not be an option • Financial • Business plan provides financial sustainability • Often financial sustainability is a stumbling point for projects • Provides cheap, reliable transport to students • Saves students money - no fuel, rego, maintenance or public transport costs • Governance • Cross-collaboration between the JCU International Office, TropEco, Estate, JCU Halls of Residence and Student Association

  19. Campus greenhouse and nursery

  20. Greenhouse and Nursery

  21. Greenhouse and Nursery • JCU greenhouse and nursery developed to meet needs of campus • Establish local native species and landscaping plants for on-campus use • Excess plants sold to public • Often landscaping projects not suitable for dry tropics and designed in Brisbane • Use local expertise • Demonstrate dry tropics suitable landscaping and feature rare, unique and endangered plants • Reduce costs to JCU and ensure quality of stock • Link to teaching, learning and research • Links with local conservation groups • Utilise on-campus mulch, soil and rock stockpiles for use in landscaping and plant propagation

  22. The Science Place

  23. The Science Place • LEED Gold rated building • 80% minimum reuse or recycling for building construction and demolition waste required to meet LEED standard • State of the art $80 million, 10,000m2 building • Four buildings demolished ~ 10,000m2 • 96% waste recovery by weight • 13,270 tonnes recovered/recycled - majority concrete - some reused on site

  24. The Science Place

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