Towards Circular Material Futures: Development of innovative solutions to recycling and re-purposing existing pre-farm gate waste

Project Member(s): Clemon, L., Schork, T., Bennett, N., Lie, S., Guertler, M.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation RDC (AgriFutures RDC)
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation RDC (AgriFutures RDC)

Start year: 2021

Summary: This project will undertake an analysis of opportunities to deliver practical solutions to minimise pre-farm gate waste to landfill, including consideration of innovative and novel solutions. This will include technologies to convert plastic and general waste into valuable construction additives, 3D printing materials and hydrogen recovery for energy conversion. A suite of proposed solutions will be considered, including viability and the potential market demand for the repurposed products. The assessment will focus on: 1. Plastics: hard and soft such as PVC irrigation piping, silage wrap, plastic twine, woven polypropylene etc. 2. Workshop waste: tyres, posts, and other hard materials. The project will provide examples of the opportunities in a more circular economy these technologies present for agricultural, fisheries and forestry applications. Consideration will be given to implementation details of logistics and regulatory requirements, environmental and economic impacts.

FOR Codes: Agricultural Machinery and Equipment, Waste Recycling Services, Manufacturing Processes and Technologies (excl. Textiles), Industrial machinery and equipment

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.