1. Finding value from waste: Innovating for a circular economy
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Adam Connell
James Cook University
Environment Manager
Estate Directorate

2. James Cook University Townsville, Cairns, Singapore 22,000 students
4,700 staff
Strategic Intent:
“Creating a brighter future for life in the tropics world-wide through graduates and discoveries that make a difference”

3. James Cook University

4. James Cook University
First University to sign the commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2016

5. JCU
TropEco program responsible for sustainability initiatives, including:
Staff, student and community engagement
Waste/resource management
Energy and carbon
Water
Sustainable transport
Biodiversity and natural assets
Community gardens
Governance

6. Waste management @ JCU Waste Reduction Management Plan Key objectives:
Reduce total waste and divert from landfill
Find value from waste
Work with other businesses and organisations to find solutions for various waste streams
Look at local solutions where possible
Work toward circular economy solutions where possible
Many challenges to reduce waste to landfill in NQ
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production
Circular economy
Source:

7. Waste profile

8. Waste profile

9. Waste profile

10. Waste profile

11. Waste JCU
Waste targets

12. Bio-Regen System - value from food waste
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13. Bio-Regen System
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14. Bio-Regen System VRM - local Townsville company, worldwide reach
50,000 L of bio-fertiliser produced (25,000L in 2018)
$30,000 saving per annum in waste collections alone
15,000 kg of food waste diverted from landfill
Social and environmental benefits
Emissions reductions
Bio-fertiliser used for soil enhancement
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16. Green Bike Fleet Program
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19. How it works
Abandoned and donated bikes collected by TropEco bike mechanics and taken to the bike workshop
Bikes assessed
Usable bikes repaired
Unusable bikes stripped for parts and recycled
Bikes enter Green Bike Fleet and sold to students
Bikes donated or sold back to Green Bike Fleet

20. The Numbers
Seed funding provided from JCU Action for Sustainability Fund in 2013
Funding still available in GBF account after four years
$10,000
Bikes sold through the GBF in Townsville since July 2013
Bikes sold in Townsville in to date
$15,000 75
600
9825kg 55
$32,750
Bikes sold through the GBF in Cairns since February 2017
Avoided waste to landfill through reuse and recycling
800
Income from sales of bikes through the GBF
Employment hours for mechanics working on the GBF program

21. Sustainability in action
Program demonstrates true sustainability
Environmental
Promotes reuse and recycling of resources
Reduces car transport and carbon emissions
Social
Encourages social interaction
Provides health and wellbeing benefits
Provides a means of transport to students where car travel may not be an option
Financial
Business plan provides financial sustainability
Often financial sustainability is a stumbling point for projects
Provides cheap, reliable transport to students
Saves students money - no fuel, rego, maintenance or public transport costs
Governance
Cross-collaboration between the JCU International Office, TropEco, Estate, JCU Halls of Residence and Student Association

22. Campus greenhouse and nursery
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23. Greenhouse and Nursery

24. Greenhouse and Nursery
JCU greenhouse and nursery developed to meet needs of campus
Establish local native species and landscaping plants for on-campus use
Excess plants sold to public
Often landscaping projects not suitable for dry tropics and designed in Brisbane
Use local expertise
Demonstrate dry tropics suitable landscaping and feature rare, unique and endangered plants
Reduce costs to JCU and ensure quality of stock
Link to teaching, learning and research
Links with local conservation groups
Utilise on-campus mulch, soil and rock stockpiles for use in landscaping and plant propagation

25. The Science Place
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26. The Science Place LEED Gold rated building
80% minimum reuse or recycling for building construction and demolition waste required to meet LEED standard
State of the art $80 million, 10,000m2 building
Four buildings demolished ~ 10,000m2
96% waste recovery by weight
13,270 tonnes recovered/recycled - majority concrete - some reused on site

27. The Science Place