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Cleaner Production/Eco-efficiency
Eco-efficiency in the Food Processing, Metal Finishing and Foundry Industries (ongoing) This ongoing project aims to develop resources for the Food Processing, Metal Finishing and Foundry Industries. These resources will build on work previously undertaken by UNEP Working Group for these industries providing access to the latest developments in water, energy, resource conservation and waste reduction resulting in both environmental and economic benefits. A website has been established for this project and provides additional information www.ecoefficiency.com.au.
Water Benchmarking Project (2007) Development of tables for the Queensland Water Commission listing publicly available material for best practice water usage for a number of food and non food sectors. The reference documents list currently available industry benchmark data and opportunities for water conservation, which can be used as a starting point for comparison of water use.
Australian Dairy Manufacturers Sustainability Council (2006-present) The Working Group has close links with Dairy Australia and Dairy Innovation Australia Ltd and coordinates regular forums and meetings of the DMSC. This includes development and implementation of projects related to the sustainability of the dairy industry.
Water Efficiency Management Plans (2006-present) Development of Water Efficiency Management Plans (WEMPs) for major water users in the South East Queensland region. Business Water Efficiency Program (BWEP) applications are currently being developed to obtain grants from the government to implement the recommendations in the WEMPs.
Development of Template Water Efficiency Management Plans (2005) Template WEMPs were developed for nurseries, turf farms, market gardens, sporting fields and swimming pools.
Eco-Efficiency for the Queensland Marine Industry (2004-2006) This project was undertaken for QLD Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation and the QLD Environmental Protection Agency. The project involved visiting 30 individual companies and compiling technical information on CP opportunities for boats builders and marinas in the form of 20 fact sheets which have been distributed through The Boat Industry Association of Queensland. Download the Toolkit here.
Compost Industry Roadmap (2004-2005) The Working Group formed part of the consultancy team for the Compost Industry Roadmap, an operational strategic plan for the Australian compost industry. The Working Group’s role was to conduct research on current practices and trends in technology, markets and legislative requirements in Australia and abroad, help to develop an industry position paper and roadmap for the industry and help to conduct stakeholder consultation workshops during the development of the project.
Public Environment Report for Australian Dairy Industry (2005-2006) This project is being undertaken on behalf of Dairy Australia, and involved developing a survey to assess the current environmental performance of the Australian Dairy Industry and the compilation of the survey responses into a public report.
Eco-Efficiency for the Australian Dairy Industry (2003-2004) This project was undertaken on behalf of Dairy Australia. It involved the production of an Eco-Efficiency manual specific to Australian dairy processors. The project also included eco-efficiency assessments for individual processors, water audits and benchmarking studies. Download the Toolkit here.
Eco-Efficiency for the Queensland Food Industry (2003-2004) This project was undertaken for the Australian Industry Group, QLD Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation, QLD Environmental Protection Agency, Agriculture, Fisheries Forestry – Australia (AFFA), Australian Water Association (AWA) and Brisbane Water to promote Eco-Efficiency to Queensland’s food processing industry. The project involved assessments of individual companies, the compilation of technical information on opportunities and the consolidation of this information into an Eco-efficiency Toolkit including a reference manual, self-assessment guide and calculators. Download the Toolkit here.
Eco-Efficiency Assessment of 10 Metal Fabrication Companies (2002) Undertaken in conjunction with Cardno-MBK for Environment Australia, the eco-efficiency assessments for metal fabrication industries fed into an eco-efficiency report for the industry as a whole.
Eco-Efficiency Manual for the Queensland Meat Industry (2001–2002) The QLD Department of State Development and the EPA funded this project to promote Eco-Efficiency to Queensland’s meat processing industry. The project involved the compilation of technical information on CP opportunities and the consolidation of this information into a reference manual and self-assessment tools. Download the Manual here.
Eco-Efficiency Assessment of 3 Major Qld Food Manufacturers (2001 – 2002) This project was undertaken for the Australian Industries Group (AIG) and involved detailed eco-efficiency assessments of 3 food manufacturing companies – a honey manufacturer, a manufacturer of speciality food ingredients and a vegetable processor.
Eco-Efficiency for the Qld Retail Food Industry (2001- 2002) This project was undertaken on behalf of the QLD EPA, Brisbane Water and a consortium of SEQ local governments. The project included the development of an Eco-Efficiency self assessment guide describing eco-efficiency opportunities for the retail food sector in QLD (restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets, supermarket delis etc.). Download the guide here.
Eco-Efficiency Assessment of Qld Meat Chicken Growers (2001 – 2002) This project was undertaken for the QLD Chicken Growers Association to identify viable eco-efficiency opportunities. It involved assessments of 4 meat chicken growers in SE QLD and covered water use, energy use, chemical use, feed utilisation, bedding and disposal options for litter and mortalities. Download the fact sheets here.
Cleaner Production Assessment for a Qld Meat Processor (2000-2001) This project was undertaken as part of a broader project whose aim was to define World’s Best Environmental Practice for the red meat processing industry. The Cleaner Production component of this study entailed a preliminary review of opportunities to reduce water, energy and material consumption at a major meat processing plant to assist the company achieve World’s Best Environmental Practice in relation to resource consumption and waste generation.
Cleaner Production in the Foundry Industry (1999) This project was undertaken for the EPA to promote CP to the Queensland foundry industry. The project involved the compilation of technical information on CP opportunities and the dissemination of this information to the foundry operators through a manual and workshops. Download the Toolkit here.
Cleaner Production in the Metal Finishing Industry (1998) The project undertaken for Brisbane City Council (BCC) and the EPA to promote CP in the metal finishing in SE Queensland. The project grew from BCC’s desire to reduce the loads of metals entering the sewage system. It involved an extensive review of CP opportunities and marketing to industry through a series of training sessions and the distribution of a manual prepared specifically for the industry in Queensland. Download the Toolkit here.
Technical and economic feasibility assessments of cleaner production technologies
Assessment of Cooling Water Options for an energy plant (1999) This project involved a technical, environmental and economic evaluation of a number of options for supplying cooling water to a proposed new power station. The water supply options included treated water, raw water, harvested stormwater and treated effluent. The aim of the assessment was to determine which options provided the most benefits on environmental, technical and economic grounds.
Wet Waste to Energy Project (1998-1999) This project was undertaken for the NSW Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA). Its aim was to identify those biomass-originated, wet wastes that have an energy value and to determine the most viable techniques for harnessing this energy. SEDA’s intentions were to identify any viable methods of utilising wet waste streams as renewable fuel sources, thereby reducing greenhouse emissions. The project included case studies, which assessed the feasibility of energy recovery at a piggery, abattoir, poultry processing and food processing site. The manual may be purchased here.
Environmental Management Systems
Development of an EMS for a metal company (2005) Development and implementation of an ISO 14001 accredited environmental management system. This project included a gap analysis, the development of an action plan and the development and implementation of policies and procedures to enable the plant to become an ISO 14001 accredited organisation by March 2006. Site-wide environmental training was also undertaken together with the development of an environmental induction video.
Environmental Risk Assessment for a metal company (2003) An environmental risk assessment was undertaken for the company with a view to the company progressing towards ISO 14001 certification.
Development of an EMS for a foundry (2000) This project commenced with a gap analysis and production of an action plan outlining the tasks that needed to be undertaken to develop and implement an environmental management system (EMS) to meet the requirements of the international standard (ISO 14001).
Action Plan for the Development of an EMS for an aquaculture facility (2000-2001) The project included a gap analysis and the development of an action plan of prawn farm’s operations to identify what actions needed to be taken to develop an environmental management system (EMS) to meet the requirements of the ISO 14001 international standard.
Demonstration Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a Bridge Redevelopment (2002–2003) This project showcased the use of LCA within a government organisation. The demonstration study assessed whether LCA is a useful tool for identifying ways for improving the environmental performance of the department's activities.
Environmental Implications of Product Diversification in the Australian Sugar Industry (2002–present) A PhD on product diversification in the sugar industry is currently being undertaken. Life cycle assessment is being used to determine the environmental impacts of sugarcane production and processing and the implications of further diversification into products such as bio-fuels, bio-energy and bio-materials.
Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) for Renewable Energy Projects (2001–2002) The aim of this project was to undertake preliminary LCAs of some renewable energy projects – hydro, wind, biomass, biogas etc. and to develop methodologies that the organisation could use to generate life-cycle information for its projects.
Life-Cycle Inventory (LCI) of Meat Processing (2001-2002) A preliminary life-cycle inventory was undertaken for a QLD meat processor with a view to undertaking a full life-cycle analysis of the company’s products.
Eco-Footprint Analysis of Different Tourism Modes in the Daintree (2000) This project was undertaken for the Rainforest CRC as part of its planning study for the Daintree / Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The study involved a quantitative assessment of the environmental impacts of day-visitors compared with overnight visitors, in order to determine the most sustainable mode of tourism for this sensitive rainforest area.
Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Electricity Generation from Sugarcane Bagasse (1999-2000) The aim of this study was to determine whether electricity derived from the combustion of sugarcane bagasse provided environmental benefits in comparison with coal-derived electricity. The LCA quantified the environmental impacts of bagasse-derived electricity for the entire life-cycle, from the growing, harvesting, transport and milling of sugarcane through to the combustion of bagasse in sugar mill boilers and the generation of export electricity.