Spam builds car engines

General Motors in the US has teamed up with the company who gave the world Spam, to reduce pollution. Hormel Foods Corp generate an animal extract called collagen from their processing plant . It is a natural binder and replaces a very toxic chemical previously used with sand in making the moulds for engine blocks at GM. In the past once the sand was used it could not be recycled. Now, by using 'GMBond', it avoids a severe pollution problem.
Source: Sydney Weekend Herald 3/02/2001.

Acid waste test developed

CSIRO have developed a small oxygen-monitoring probe which can be used to avoid acid damage to the environment and save millions of dollars per annum. The probes are deployed in a network around mining areas and will give an alert when acid damage is occurring and measure the process of rehabilitation of damaged areas.
Source: Sunday Telegraph 11/02/2001.

Honda and Toyota Bring Hybrid Cars to Australia

In the next few weeks, Toyota will provide their petrol-electric hybrid cars to various government departments for trials and go on sale to the public late 2001. The Prius is about the size of a Corolla and seats 5 comfortably.

The Honda Insight will be first hybrid car available in Aust in March and will retail at approximately AU$45,000. This the smaller vehicle and is the most economical to run in the world.

Both have petrol and electric motors and their batteries are recharged as they drive along. The electrical system runs accessories like the air conditioning and the petrol engine cuts in and out as required.
Source: Sunday Telegraph 11/02/2001.

SWERF - a new solution for global warming

A world-first Solid Waste to Electricity Recycling Facility (SWERF) has opened in Wollongong.

The SWERF, built by Brisbane-based company BrightStar Environmental, is a waste management plant which converts household rubbish into ‘green’ electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing up to 90% of household waste going to landfill. It’s expected the facility will produce electricity for about 24,000 homes.

Ergon Energy, one of the largest buyers of renewable energy in Australia, will buy 100% of the energy produced by the plant.
Source: Allies Express Feb 01 newsletter.

Passing the Torch

The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, or the Green Games as they were widely known, set a high environmental standard. But what if the lessons learned and processes used could be successfully applied to future development projects?

The Graduate School of Environment and Macquarie University Sports Association in collaboration with David Chernushenko (Green and Gold Inc.), is planning a major seminar to identify sustainable development success stories and lessons learnt from the Sydney 2000 Games.

The seminar will bring together key individuals from government, private  industry and NGOs. For more information contact Tim Norman (02) 9850 7985.

Radiation safety move

The Federal Government's radiation health agency has decided to fast track the development of a standard that will limit the exposure of Australians to electromagnetic radiation. It follows on from concerns held about magnetic fields around high-voltage powerlines and the link to leukaemia in children.
Source: Sunday Telegraph 18/3/2001

RMIT Establishes Centre for Global Sustainability

RMIT has established a Centre for Global Sustainability which will establish partnerships with corporations and other organizations to help them become working models of sustainability. tricia.caswell@rmit.edu.au.
Source: EcoSteps newsletter March 2001.

$26 Million Boost to Cogeneration Industry

Two new projects expected to reduce greenhouse emissions by more than three million tonnes over five years have won $26 million in support from the Commonwealth Government’s Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program (GGAP). Energy generator and supplier Origin Energy Power Limited will receive up to $16 million. A further $10 million will be granted to a number of cogeneration projects from the Australian Ecogeneration Association.

Cogeneration is created when a power station uses fuel such as gas, coal or waste vegetation to make electricity, and the process produces heat as a by-product.

"GGAP is demonstrating that greenhouse gas abatement can be achieved at a low cost while generating innovation, wealth and new jobs", Senator Hill said.

Origin Energy Power Limited will develop and manage a portfolio of cogeneration plants across Australia. The project promises greenhouse emission savings of about 2 million tonnes over the years 2008-2012, equivalent to taking 96,000 cars off the road each year
Source: Allies Express, Mar 01 newsletter.

Green Power Grows

To date, increased demand for Green Power has resulted in over 90 new Green Power generators installed and committed nationwide. Given that the program’s aim is to facilitate investment in new renewable generation in Australia, it’s certainly hitting some home runs.
Source: Allies, Express Mar 01 newsletter.