Managing plastic and other waste materials is a growing challenge. Impact Priority 2 (IP2): Plastic and waste materials supports evidence-based solutions to reduce waste, improve resource recovery and minimise environmental harm. At a recent presentation at the TEFMA25 conference in Brisbane, Hub researcher Dr Heriyanto shared how plastic and other waste streams can be transformed into high-value materials such as Green Ceramics™ and Green Hybrid™ products. This is part of IP2 Project 2: Fit for Purpose Technological Recycling Solutions.
IP2 focuses on advancing technologies for sustainable materials recovery and value creation. Dr Heriyanto’s presentation highlighted how scientific innovation can be applied in practice to deliver on these ambitions. Using SMaRT@UNSW's Microfactorie™ Technology, this work demonstrates a practical pathway to turn problematic waste into market-ready solutions that reduce environmental impacts and support a circular economy. Instead of being discarded, waste becomes a feedstock for innovation, creating sustainable materials that have real applications in industry and everyday life.
By showcasing how waste can be reimagined as a resource, this work reflects the Hub’s mission to integrate cutting-edge science with industry collaboration. This work shows how new technologies can help close the loop on resource use and address waste challenges to support the development of a more sustainable future.
