Case Studies
Local circular case studies are in development. Check out the Bega Valley Shire Business Stories of Change for some great examples of circular businesses making a difference – Bega Valley Business Stories of Change
Description
The SMaRT Centre develops e-waste recycling solutions through the mining of landfills. It provides a pathway for valuable materials (e.g. silica, titanium dioxide, etc.) and elements to be collected and separated.
Activities
The model leverages both waste collectors and scavengers present in India. Alongside the government (for CapEx funding), the SMaRT Centre aims to upskill these workers and give them the technologies to deploy modular and cost-effective microfactories located close to waste stockpiles. These convert discarded glass, textiles and plastics into engineered filaments for 3D printing and other materials. Recently, the UNSW Centre for Sustainable Materials and MidCoast Council both deployed the MicrofactorieTM technology for various wastes (e.g. silage wraps, hybrid textiles, glass and plastics).
Outcome
Waste collectors and scavengers are employed and empowered within a sustainable and safe environment. Microfactories enable communities to produce products and materials needed locally. Creates new supply chain and manufacturing capabilities, enhancing both social and economic outcomes.
Description
The landfill gas bioreactor turns organic waste into resources (e.g. gas, nutrient extraction) and is recognised as best practice in municipal waste management and globally remains a key feasible clean energy technology for waste management and energy production.
Activities
A 21 km rail transfer terminal was developed in the Sydney region to move Sydney South’s organic waste to a Woodlawn site. This was coupled with the landfill gas bioreactor and a Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT).
Household waste is collected and placed into rotating drums to kickstart the degradation process and prepared for separation. Inorganic materials are extracted for recycling and recovery while organic waste is transferred to the bioreactor to produce methane gas further converted into energy and waste heat. Remaining waste is refined and composted during a three months aerated fermentation process.
Outcome
Since 2004, the landfill gas bioreactor converted 4.1 Mt of organic waste generating green electricity for up to 30,000 homes. one tonne of waste releases 1.33 MWt of clean energy.
Description
A co-ordinated approach to achieve animal wellbeing, environmental and community respect.
Activities
A nutrient management planning tool details the nutrient inputs and outputs of the farm to ensure proper optimal nutrient input and soil conditions. This in turns also minimises potential for impacts to surface and groundwater.
Further, a wastewater treatment systems enables a zero wastewater discharge to any surface water or wetlands.
The storage facilities are designed to withstand all anticipated loads and collect all precipitation to prevent any runoff. Odour is also considerably reduced through biofilters and microbial technology.
Description
ALG-AD is an eco-innovative project developed as a co-operation program between Swansea University and 10 partners including university, industry and European policymakers, which received €5.5m funding from the European Commission and matched by the Welsh government.
Activities
The anaerobic digestion technology (AD) is combined with algae to capture excess nutrients out-flows from AD as a food source. This algae is further processed into animal feeds.
Outcome
Funding has been received for 3.5 years Nutrient waste
Description
The project started in France, in partnership with Toulouse Business School, with the intention to leverage oyster shells for soft water treatment. Water can be remineralised with oyster shells for human consumption.
Activities
In partnership with an affiliated laboratory, the founders developed a technique using several layers of crushed oyster and clam shells to filter and remineralise treated water. Additional applications for these shells include organic soil amendment, an input into poultry feed and gardening products.
- Poultry feeds as it contains calcium, which support healthy eggs
- Fertilizers for wine, fruit & veg and soils (too acidic, harvest productivity)
- Water treatment for soft water remineralisation
- Desalination
- Veolia reached out for exactly the same opportunity –collection costs, water treatment
- Work with other regions in France and Spain
- Works with farmers, individuals, CAC40 looking for innovation
- Job creation and local innovations
- Challenge, incubation, start-up finalist, regional innovation, networked, #1 organic region (Normandie, Nord) in France
- 3,000t from local oyster farmers and national coverage
- Support organic agriculture
Outcome
This technique has the potential to become a substitute for existing soft water treatment techniques.