Taking Bytes out of Landfill
Peak information and telecommunications sector body Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), has initiated a pilot computer-parts recycling campaign in Victoria that aims to reduce the quantity of hazardous waste that ends up as landfill.
The program will offer no-cost computer recycling across the state for 18 months to individual and commercial users of computer technology. The pilot will be managed in conjunction with Sustainability Victoria and will encourage participation from manufacturers, distributors and retailers of computer appliances.
The AIIA will consider using the trial as a model for a compulsory nationwide recycling program for hazardous waste if it meets its objectives.
E-waste is hazardous as it contains high levels of lead, mercury, cadmium and flame retarders, among other toxic materials, experts have said. (from www.current.com.au)
I&I wonders that if the trial is successful will it encourage Bill Gates and co to make the life cycle of computer software and hardware even shorter?? Oh what a Vista!!
Embedding isn’t just about journalists and Iraq
The inaugural event of the “Innovation in Manufacturing” series, “Embedded Systems Technologies - the Future for Smart Object Manufacturing” is being held on 21 September at Parramatta. Speaker, Dr Chris Nicol, Chief Technology Officer, NICTA and other research agencies’ representatives will talk about potential market opportunities to make objects smarter and the estimated market value ($68 billion) for the future of embedded systems and manufactured smart objects.
Representatives from IBM, CSIRO and various universities outline what they are doing with embedded systems and how it relates to manufacturing. Further details at www.smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au
If you miss this event and wish to find out more about Embedded Systems Technologies, then Dr Nicol can be contacted via NICTA on 02 9209 4750
Who said “Never the twain shall meet?”
In an example of how academics don’t need to be in one corner (or ivory tower?) and industry in the other, the University of Wollongong has joined the Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net) as an associate member.
During the recent i3net members meeting, Dr Scott Needham of the University described some of the recent research topics and also their strategy for engaging with local industry. The University is looking for members of i3net to provide the industry knowledge and expertise to assist with the commercialisation of ideas generated by its academics.
i3net members are commercially active in a range of leading technological fields such as software and hardware development, environmental protection and monitoring, medical device manufacture and advance materials processing.
For further information: Lee Styger - Tel: 0423 824 880; Email: lee@styger.com; web: www.i3net.com.au
Water Idea #1 - Finding Space for Water
Do you want to collect or store water but have no suitable above ground space?
Maybe Unanderra based Coastline Plastics have the solution. The company has just released a new and improved version of their unique vertically ribbed underground water tanks.
Coastline Plastics offer a range of Polyethylene Underground Water Tanks with 5 sizes to choose from, starting at 1,100 litres which is ideal for retention tanks, up to 10,000 litres which is understood to be Australia's largest single unit polyethylene underground tank.
Photo: 10000 litre underground tank
Coastline Plastics' underground tanks are unique in the ribbed walled design that has been patented. The tanks are truly underground and can even be placed under the driveway.
More information on underground water tanks can be found at http://www.undergroundwatertanks.com.au including a brief description of installing UG tanks.
Water Idea #2 - Singapore leading the way with water by necessity
Water in Singapore is a precious commodity, considering the small geographical size of the country. There are no natural freshwater rivers or lakes meaning that Singapore relies on rainwater and desalination as its primary sources of water.
The rainfall is collected in reservoirs and catchments and supplies around 50% of Singapore's water; the other 50% is imported from Malaysia. However, one of the contracts between Malaysia and Singapore is due to expire in 2011 (the other in 2061), which prompted the Singaporean government to look beyond the already established desalination plants and investigate the benefits of wastewater treatment.
According to leading academic and water expert, Professor Leo Tan, who was recently in Australia to attend the 2007 Cooperative Research Centres Association (CRCA) conference, it was more cost effective to build wastewater treatment plants than continue along the lines of desalination.
"When difficulties arose in re-negotiating a water lease with Malaysia, Singapore started thinking out of the box and came up with a number of innovative water management solutions," he says.
"One of these involves collecting all of the wastewater emanating from the nationwide sewerage system, treating it and converting it to be as pure as distilled water. This 'newater', as we call it, is then diluted with reservoir water to ensure the inclusion of essential salts and minerals before it is used as drinking water."
Water Idea #3 – Plants in the air?
The Professor's Singaporean colleagues have also evaluated new forms of water-efficient agriculture such as a method of growing plants where their roots are suspended in mid-air and sprayed with a fine mist of nutrients; a technique known as 'aeroponics' originally conceived in Israel, but never developed beyond the concept stage.
"Aeroponics requires little water and is ideal for water-scarce countries or those subject to constant drought and water shortages," says Professor Tan.
"Aeroponics may well suit the Australian environment if drought becomes a persistent feature of climate change."
Singapore water stories from www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au
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