The Australian Industrial Ecology Network are inviting you to the 7th Australian Industrial Ecology Conference to be held from 19 – 21 September 2018 at the Rydes, Parramatta.

The conference theme – Connecting manufacturers, recyclers and consumers– aims to create a dialogue amongst all stakeholders in the materials supply chain, showcase and promote industrial ecology projects and inspire further innovation in Australia.

This conference series promotes the practice of industrial ecology (IE) in Australia. Each event provides a stimulating forum in which ideas and opportunities can be presented and discussed. Conference presentations are focused on practical outcomes and solutions for managing wastes. On this occasion, the focus will be upon packaging materials. Creation of local markets for recovered packaging materials is critical given recent policy changes which is now preventing the export of recovered packaging materials for further processing and recycling in China.

Internationally recognised experts in the fields of packaging, marketing, manufacturing, resource recycling and reuse will be key speakers at the conference. The 2018 event will continue to provide those wanting to get a clearer picture of the issues a unique opportunity to tour large facilities that are profitably recovering and reusing materials.

CALL FOR PAPERS: SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!

The Program Committee is now inviting submissions for presentations addressing several key topics, outlined below. Other topics may be considered at the committee’s discretion.

• What can we do where public policy has failed? And what can we learn from past failings?
• Packaging waste from the consumer’s perspective.
• Appropriate responses to the Chinese National Sword policy.
• How do we develop local markets for recovered materials that manufacturer’s want?
• How do we secure and allocate the funding to build local markets for recovered materials?
• IE Solutions to the soft plastics issue.
• Our current packaging keeps us safe but at what cost? The harsh environmental truths!
• Can we continue to use the things we use every day? What changes need to occur in our consumption patterns including behaviours and product design aspects?
• The resource recovery sector’s perspective on the challenges created by certain products and packaging materials.
• What is the role of the Brands, both now and into the future?
• The manufacturers/Brands perspective on the current limitations of the post-consumer resource recovery options.
• The role of Product Stewardship programs.
• Building our local recycling and manufacturing industry for the future.
• Facilitating local sorting and manufacturing to avoid long-haul transport.
• Life Cycle Assessment as an essential tool to inform IE solutions – case studies.
• Revisiting the existing risk/reward structures in current post-consumer collection and resource recovery systems. How should public policy be guided?
• Informing all stakeholders in the supply chain

MORE INFORMATION

For further information about the Conference, please visit www.aien.com.au/conference or contact the Australian Industrial Ecology Network on 1300 446 303 or email info@aien.com.au.​