UPDATED 17.02.09

Client Winners

Congratulations to Centor Architectural, National Winners of the 2008 AMP Innovation Award, the Queensland Innovation Award, and the Telstra Queensland Business of the Year Award.

The burgeoning relationship between Centor and Infinity is focused on Total Waste Management and Infinity Waste Logistics is proud to be associated with this organisation. The Awards highlight Centor's endeavour to carve their own niche with the design, development and introduction of unique products to the architectural market. Their success has been acknowledged in the US Crystal Achievement Awards for their ground-breaking insect screening system. For further detail of this product and other innovations go to: www.centor.com.au/news.html.

Industry Sponsors

Recently, Infinity Waste Logistics was one of the proud sponsors for the 2008 SAL (Shipping Australia Limited) Ball, raising money for the Australian Marine Environment Protection Association (AUSMEPA). As this year's beneficiary, the organisation raises awareness of the marine environment through education for crews and other community members using the port. The annual event encourages liaisons between business and industry, the community, and regulatory authorities for port sustainability.

Community Sponsors

Capalaba State College's Special Needs Unit held their End of Year event featuring a musical/drama production for the children. Infinity's on going commitment to return prosperity to the community resulted in supporting this celebration. The Special Needs Unit provides services and support to a large number of families in the district, and is recognised as a forerunner of advances in fundamentals education to these learners.

Steel Recycling

Post credit crunch, there was an immediate impact to recyclable steel in this country in terms of the pricing and rebates available, and has snow-balled onto waste steel collection that is quickly stockpiling. Based on the processing taking place off-shore, the quality and bargain pricing of ore, and the dramatic downturn in construction in China, the pinch was felt close to home more quickly than anticipated. For those manufacturers with waste steel as a by-product, ridding sites of it has become problematic. For the moment, Infinity Waste Logistics is able to secure contracts for existing clients to remove steel through a recycler, but the return has evaporated. At this rate, it is recommended to stay tuned and focus on the return of domestic needs for recyclable steel.

Paint Recycling Partnership

Infinity Waste Logistics has embarked in a partnership to collect and recycle paints and solvents for a renewable and sustainable system. As the paint and coatings industry is cemented in using virgin chemical products for reliable performance and aesthetic, it is unique to find like minded innovators keen to redress the norm. Should you have unused tins or paint residues for disposal and would like to contribute to this cutting edge technology, or would like to access recycled paint to enhance your sustainability project, contact us through this website or on: 1300 659 328

UPDATED 14.10.08

Local Industry News

The Queensland EPA website has posted details of a State Government announcement for a service to assist households to manage climate change and reduce greenhouse emissions.

Labelled ClimateSmart Home Service, the initiative will commence on 1st January 2009 and operate in a similar manner to the WaterWise programme. For a small service fee, a qualified tradesman will be engaged to audit the residence and provide advice on energy consumption and install energy efficient devices. For more information go to: www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/your_home/climatesmart_home

On 31st October 2008, the EPA Sustainable Industries Awards will be held at a gala dinner at the Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre, Broadbeach from 6.30 pm. The winners of the awards will be drawn from the business and industry community in Queensland and will be representative of the best and most innovative practices of sustainability.

For more information, go to:
www.epa.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/sustainability/industry/
the_2008_epa_sustainable_industries_awards/awards_dinner

From 'Environmental Management News', 30th September and reported in IWW, this month:

Visy Pulp and Paper has predicted that proposed emissions trading schemes will encourage manufacturers to exploit our Asian neighbours and developing economies and shift waste off-shore in order to offset the emissions costs of general manufacturing. As recycling processes or remanufacturing attract carbon-costs but products are fundamentally carbon-neutral, Visy suggests that future schemes include:

• Credit for volunteers to the scheme cutting emissions in processes and supply chains;
• Recognition of inherent benefits of recycling; and
• That EITE (Emission-Intensive Trade Exposed) compensation should be based on actual cost of impost of a carbon price on activities.

For information on EITE activities, go to:
www.climatechange.gov.au/resources/industry.html

The winner of the 2008 John Guice Award, Johannes Biala, is establishing 'Compost Aid' from the prize to support composting communities in economically disadvantaged countries.

His vision is centred on the Organics Recycling and Composting Industry where the resources available through the WMAA (Waste Management Association Australia) were used to improve and innovate his services. At last year's Winning Ways with Carbon forum, each delegate was offered a tree to plant to offset the emissions from organising and attending the event organised by Biala. He planted the remaining trees and an additional thirty trees, to be certain that the environmental budget was in the black.

Compost Australia is a member of GELITA Australia, the organisation that provided land for planting and mulch from its on-site operation. For more information about GELITA or Compost Australia:

www.gelita.com/DGF-english/gruppe/gruppe_standorte_apa_aus_be.html
www.compostaustralia.com

From IWW, October 2008

Not driven by carbon emissions, but costs to local councils and, consequently households, there are plans to create new waste disposal infrastructure in the next two years. As one of the largest contributors to landfill in Western Europe, at the current rate of use, existing landfill sites won't cope with waste after 2015.

The considered development is not before time: typical commissioning of a new waste treatment facility can take seven years or more. Councils face up to £7 million is enough landfill waste is not diverted to other means of management: recycling or composting.

The recent waste management crisis in Naples highlights the critical nature and potential consequences for local governments which fail to address these community needs. In May, the European Union sued Italy for its breach of waste laws for the Naples incident, in light of a previous warning in the Lazio province.