speakers

Session: Examining the learnings from REDcycle and recycling plastics in Australia

Jeff Angel is Director of the Total Environment Centre and Boomerang Alliance of 55 NGOs. He has been an advocate and media commentator on a range of waste and recycling issues for over 30 years. Jeff was instrumental in the adoption of container refund schemes across Australia and passage of regulations to ban single use plastics. He has been a member of several government advisory committees and is the author of ''Green is Good'' (ABC Books).

Session: Overview of the packaging sector and existing targets

Esther is a behavioural psychologist and change maker with 20 years’ experience across the public and private sector.  She designs and delivers award-winning collective impact programs and sustainability policy and programs. She comes to APCO from NSW government Treasury, where she worked as Director of Climate Risk, Adaptation and Net Zero Emissions, and for the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS).

Session: The waste challenge from a technology perspective: advancements in the area of plastic, textile and agricultural waste

Since 04/2020 Inaugural Director Centre for a Waste-Free World at the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane

09/2017 – 12/2019 Platform Leader, Enabling Platform ‘Manufacturing with Advanced Materials’, Institute for Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane

05/2017 – 01/2021 Principal Research Fellow, Central Analytical Research Facility (CARF), Institute for Future Environments, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane

Since 05/2017 Associate and Full Professor, School of Chemistry and Physics, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane

06/2013 – 04/2017 Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane

Session: How to develop a modern waste management & resource recovery strategy

Justin has led transformational cross-sector sustainability initiatives for over 10 years, with a focus on cost-efficient material optimisation, decarbonisation and behaviour change. He has worked extensively across all levels of government and business strategising innovative approaches to intractable issues, building unity across diverse stakeholder groups, and advocating for policy and legislative reform to drive a circular economy. He founded award-winning sustainability initiatives Responsible Cafes and Responsible Runners, and managed Boomerang Alliance campaigns for a container deposit scheme, bans on single-use plastics, and waste tyre regulations. He is a member of the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) board of directors and contributes to a number of advisory committees for circular economy and standards development.

Session: How to develop a modern waste management & resource recovery strategy

Jess is a Senior Consultant, Circular Economy. She brings extensive experience in circular economy metrics, strategy and implementation. She is currently delivering a material flow analysis for the Aust. Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources to inform the design of a commercial furniture product stewardship scheme. She recently published a paper on circular economy measurement across Australia and developed a Circular Economy Roadmap for the Hunter region in NSW. Jess’ prior roles saw her developing a state-wide end-to-end material flow analysis for the organics value chain in QLD, conducting financial and market analysis to assess the feasibility of circular economy opportunities. Jess is also an experienced project manager, currently project managing a complex and cross-disciplinary team delivering a Circular Economy Procurement Project for Hunter Joint Organisation.

Session: Leveraging circularity for people and planet positive outcomes: progress from THE ICONIC

Nicole's role as Sustainability Business Partner: Circularity and Conscious Consumption at THE ICONIC is focused on developing initiatives that help accelerate circular systems across ANZ's fashion and lifestyle ecosystem.

With a background in brand strategy and consumer insights, Nicole believes in businesses creating solutions that inspire and enable people to participate in the Circular Economy. Nicole recently completed a Master of Sustainability at Sydney Uni, and recognises the importance of continually learning from our collective efforts in the emerging circular space

Session: Waste-to-energy in Kwinana – an integral part of a local waste plan

Maria Cooke, Director City Development and Sustainability at the City of Kwinana, oversees the Planning and Development, Building Services, Essential Services and Environment and Health Services functions of Council. Maria has 30 years experience in urban planning across Victoria, and Western Australia.

Over the last 5 years, Maria has been leading the City of Kwinana’s response to local waste management, reviewing the City’s Waste Management Strategy, undertaking a number of waste service feasibility studies and bulk waste reviews to best position the community and the City in the changing waste space.  Waste to Energy continues to be an integral part of the City’s approach.

Session: Lessons from developing a Circular Greater Bendigo council and community

Kylie Douglas studied at LaTrobe University Bendigo and graduated in 2009 with a double degree in Environmental Engineering and Biochemistry. Upon graduating, she became a committee member of the Bendigo Engineers Australia Committee, a position she still holds. Over the next 8 years after graduation, Kylie lectured across all years of the Civil Engineering degree in various subjects, both in Bendigo and Bundoora and was awarded the Pro-Vice Chancellor’s Award in July 2017.

In September 2017, she took up the role of Senior Landfill Engineer with the City of Greater Bendigo. Few can say that they have landed their dream job, however this job is the reason Kylie studied Environmental Engineering and Biochemistry. It is the ultimate combination of the use of her qualifications and allowing her to work in an area that she is deeply passionate about–Resource Recovery and Education. This role allows Kylie to work with the staff on the ground and actively explore ways that diversion from landfill can be achieved. With the Eaglehawk Landfill having an expected life dependency of less than 12 months, exploring ways to divert and prolong the life of the landfill are paramount. As part of this work, she is heavily involved with the City’s move towards becoming a truly circular economy, with this work and approach being a first in Australia.

It is a constantly changing role, challenging and incredibly rewarding. In addition to her role with the City of Greater Bendigo, Kylie is also an active member of WMRR Victoria Landfills Division and Chaired the Loddon Mallee Waste and Resource Recovery Technical Committee in the last two years of its existence before it was replaced with Recycling Victoria. She also participated as an active member of the consulting working groups on the new EP Act and subsequent Regulations implemented in Victoria, July 2021.

Session: Facilitating partnerships to support waste and resource recovery social innovations

Jess works as a Waste and Resource Recovery Officer at the Canberra Region Joint Organisation which represents 10 South East NSW Councils. She was the 2021 ACT Young Environmentalist of the Year for her work in food donation across regional NSW. Jess is passionate about environmental justice through grassroots community action.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - Journeying towards zero waste

Jenny Geddes joined Clean Up Australia in October 2022.

Previously CEO of leading NFP, Workplace Giving Australia, Jenny has over 20 years’ experience in the NFP, consumer electronics, public relations, new media and IT industries. She has held senior roles with Sony Australia in corporate communications, brand marketing and public relations.  In parallel with her Sony career, Jenny was practically and strategically involved in the establishment of the renowned Sony Foundation, which has gone on to distribute over $40 million to Australian charities.

Jenny utilises her skills and background to drive Clean Up Australia’s vision to inspire and empower communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our precious environment.

Jenny has a Masters of Commerce in Marketing and Organisational Behaviour from the University of NSW and a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University in Canberra.

Session: Case study - Green Square, the built environment & modern waste and resource recovery strategies

Andre is an Industrial Engineer with MBA in business from IMD, Switzerland. Prior to joining Boral he spent 10 years in Strategy & Management consulting for PwC, mostly focused on go-to-market and operating model change across Energy, Industrials and Financial Services industries, with projects in South America, Europe and Australia. He has been with Boral since 2017, first as National Manager for Strategy & Business Development, and then transitioning to now General Manager Recycling following from having developed Boral’s Recycling Growth strategy in 2018 and having been leading its execution since then, with execution/growth results delivering ops improvement and financial growth in excess of 50%.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - Building community education programs to increase and improve recycling behaviour

Anil Gupta is currently the Waste and Sustainability Education Officer at Randwick City Council. He has excellent interpersonal, negotiation and mediation skills for successful stakeholder management in the public and private sector across diverse range of businesses. He also has great business improvement skills to enhance sustainable resource management and energy efficiency.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - Building community education programs to increase and improve recycling behaviour

Dan Harris-Pascal is the Acting Director of Waste Education and Partnerships with the ACT Government. The Waste Education and Partnerships team work to achieve the ACT Government’s goals of improving resource recovery and minimising waste to landfill. With a background in scientific and ecological research, Dan escaped the lab, keen to empower others to use the scientific method and apply scientific discoveries and understandings to applied solutions.

Dan has over 10 years’ experience as a community educator in a range of areas of sustainability including energy efficiency, active travel, waste and recycling, community gardening and land management.  Dan’s current focus is on waste, recycling and the circular economy and using a behaviour change approach to improve resource recovery on the road to the ACT’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2045 and Circular Economy strategy.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - Journeying towards zero waste

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - What is the path forward for developing a genuine and self-supporting circular economy?

Joanne Hayes – Head of Sustainability and Communications for Bridgestone ANZ has worked in the tyre industry for 15 years. Overseeing Bridgestone’s Sustainability and Corporate Social responsibility strategy, Jo is supporting the company’s global vision of becoming a Sustainable Solutions Company beyond tyres, working with customers to deliver on both economic and social business objectives.

Session: Preparing for a disaster and prioritising your forward thinking from facilities to households

Michaela is the Associate Director, Economic Growth and Sustainability with Green Industries SA.  She has two decades of experience leading sustainability, environmental and biosecurity programs, including leadership for projects, policy reforms and emergency management at senior levels of government.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - What is the path forward for developing a genuine and self-supporting circular economy?

Session: Eliminating landfill and transforming residual waste into safe and valuable products

Ben has over 19 years’ experience in the extractive metals industry, with extensive periods in technical and management roles at the Mount Isa Mines (MIM) Copper Smelter.

Ben holds a B. Eng. (Chemical) from the University of Newcastle, Australia and is currently the principal metallurgist for the pyrometallurgy business at Glencore Technology, based in Brisbane.

The main pyrometallurgy business technology is the ISASMELT™; which is a safe, simple, flexible, and cost effective top submerged lance process for the base metal industry.

We are now adapting this proven technology to the urban mining context as the ISACYCLE™.

At Glencore Technology, Ben and his team are involved in research, design, commissioning, site support, marketing, business development, peer review, and test-work for a range of applications.

Session: Waste-to-energy in Kwinana – an integral part of a local waste plan

Alan is Operations and Maintenance Director for Avertas Energy.

Alan has 27 years of experience working on Energy from Waste projects with a further 10 years in biomass projects in the UK.

His experience includes managing new build plants with integral Materials Recycling Facility which was the first IPPC awarded plant in UK.

He has held various roles Shift Team Leader, Maintenance Engineer, Operations Manager finally was Project Technical Manager for its conversion of a facility to burn MBM (post BSE crisis).

More recently has held other roles General Manager, Managing Director of various plants with the following technologies Moving Grate, Fluidised bed, Gasification (Energos & bubbling bed)

Session: Minimising the growing construction and demolition waste problem

Leela is a Research Fellow at the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC), University of Wollongong with a passion for exploring how the circular economy can apply, particularly in the built environment. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) from Sydney University and a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from UNSW.

Since joining the SBRC she has worked on various projects involving mould remediation in social housing, life cycle assessment of buildings, thermal modelling of wall assemblies and investigating sustainability of prefabricated construction. Her current research is focused on identifying how to measure and reduce construction waste.

Session: FIRESIDE CHAT: Minimising waste in the textiles industry and the new National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme

Danielle Kent is the Project Director at the Australian Fashion Council which is leading a Consortium to design and develop the National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme.

Danielle brings a range of experiences from her work in strategy consulting, and State and Federal Government, with a strong focus on change management disciplines.

Session: Engaging stakeholders to drive recycling at scale and achieve product stewardship outcomes

Alice is a business leader and strategist, who believes in the shared value approach and the power of business as a catalyst for positive societal change and sustainable growth.

In her current role as Head of Sustainable Business and Corporate Social Responsibility at the Winning Group, Alice led the development of the company's first sustainability strategy and is creating value by engaging employees, customers and partners into the delivery of impact initiatives across community engagement, responsible sourcing, carbon mitigation, waste & recycling and circularity.

Alice holds a Certificate in Sustainable Business Strategy from Harvard Business School and a Master of Sociology from the University of Munich.

She lives in Sydney, is married and mother of two boys and a four legged daughter.

Session: Managing e-waste using tactical strategies and new technologies

Janet Leslie is the Sustainability Manager for Canon Oceania. Canon is well known for its commitment to research and development and innovative, high quality products. Probably less well known is its long- term investment in recycling technology and the development of materials and products that are easy to recycle and reuse.

Janet was involved in the development of the National TV and Computer Recycling Scheme. She was instrumental in establishing the Australian New Zealand Recycling Platform (ANZRP) as an independent, not for profit industry- run product stewardship organisation.  Janet remains a Director of ANZRP and has been active for over 15 years in the Cartridges for Planet Ark Program and ABRI the Australian Battery Recycling Initiative. Canon is also a member of the Australian Packaging Covenant and the Battery Stewardship Council.  Janet is the Chair of the Australian Information Industry Corporate Social Responsibility Policy Advisory Network (CSR PAN) and is a strong advocate for National, multi stakeholder product Stewardship Schemes.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - Building community education programs to increase and improve recycling behaviour

Elyse Marcolin is passionate about sustainability and resource recovery, and believes in empowering individuals through education. As a Macquarie University, Bachelor of Commerce (Major in Marketing) and Western Sydney University, Master of Teaching graduate, her knowledge of both Marketing and Education have led to a strength in communication, with a unique ability to tailor messages to specific needs and personalities. Elyse commenced her professional career in Marketing, specialising in ethical, social services, and transitioned to work in the Education sector for the next five years. Seeking a career that aligned with her values, she began work as a Resource Recovery Education Officer at Penrith City Council in 2020. This has led her to work on diverse projects such as the ‘Never Waste a Chance’ marketing campaign, authored Council’s social media Waste and Resource Recovery communications including the ‘Waste Tips’ series and the "Go Plastic Free" behavior change movement. She has led Waste and Resource Recovery partnerships including work with Council’s City Activation Department to coordinate murals for the Re-Animate Festival, and textile recycling programs within the Penrith LGA.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - Journeying towards zero waste

Session: Case study - Green Square, the built environment & modern waste and resource recovery strategies

Naomi started as Construction Sustainability Manager in early 2019 and has played a crucial role in raising sustainability awareness across 20+ diverse construction sites, including CBD office projects, apartments, and masterplanned communities.

She has implemented new systems and targets through a Project Sustainability Scorecard to allow projects to measure and deliver outcomes towards Mirvac’s ambitious ‘This Changes Everything’ Sustainability Strategy. She has been key in driving waste reduction in the construction team and through collaboration with Development and Design to Design out our waste.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - Building community education programs to increase and improve recycling behaviour

Alina is a Project Officer (Resource Recovery) at Cumberland City Council.

Alina has a background in Environmental Science and more than 10 years of experience in local government managing waste management and community engagement projects and sustainability initiatives. In her current role she is involved in developing and implementing resource recovery initiatives including mobile community recycling service, food waste reduction, asbestos awareness, and community engagement programs.

Alina is committed to deliver a holistic program for diverse stake holders ranging from schools to community groups to help achieve their sustainability goals. Alina has strong passion in communicating sustainability through education, knowledge sharing and action.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - What is the path forward for developing a genuine and self-supporting circular economy?

Session: Navigating the challenges facing the Australian recycled organics industry

John McKew is the National Executive Officer for the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA), commencing in the role in June 2022. Prior to joining AORA, John had worked extensively in senior roles within the farming/primary production sectors including dairy, beef, fodder and most recently as CEO for the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association. John has also worked within the IT industry and the fast-moving-consumer-goods (FMCG) sector. John holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree (MBA) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Session: Activating Australia’s circular economy by 2030

Lisa is a circular economy and zero-carbon business transformation leader. She has been successfully advising industry and governments in developing new policy frameworks and regulations that bring about market change to enable the circular zero-carbon economy over the past 20 years.

This work has covered the supply chains, infrastructure, energy, water, waste and mobility sectors in the UK and Australia.

Lisa is the CEO of Circular Australia, a national independent NFP leading the transition to a zero-carbon circular economy in Australia. Lisa has worked to catalyse new circular economy, zero carbon, sustainable markets, including initiating and setting up Open Cities Alliance, a peak association for next-gen infrastructure and the circular economy, the Australian Solar Thermal Association (AUSTELA), advising electric mobility providers, and working in the private sector driving circular economy outcomes in water and energy and advocating for policy and regulatory change. Starting her career as a political journalist working in the national press gallery. She then moved to advising Ministers and Premiers, before heading to the UK to help establish the Clinton Climate Initiative.

Layla McNeil is the Waste and Resource Coordinator for CSIRO with a background in strategy, policy and program delivery for the public sector with over 25 years' experience in the sustainability field focusing on waste and resource recovery and behaviour change initiatives. With a Honours degree in Environmental Studies, Masters in Communication (Environmental Communications) and well-studied in Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership development she is known for a collaborative approach to sustainability initiatives that creates meaningful long-term change for our communities.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - Journeying towards zero waste

Wade is Head of Resource Recovery for Coles Group, leading a team that is committed to deliver Coles’ Together to zero waste and Together to zero hunger ambitions.  He has diverse experience in waste and recycling operations, as well as having worked in the water sector with a focus on energy and emission improvements.  Wade holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Melbourne.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - What is the path forward for developing a genuine and self-supporting circular economy?

Passionate about customer experience and consumer behaviour, Aife has worked with Salvos Stores since 2013 holding multiple roles including Marketing Manager, Customer Experience Manager and now Senior Manager – Circular Economy.

Aife combines her retail experience, consumer behaviour change, campaign management and strategic thinking to grow and leverage Salvos Stores position within the Circular Economy in Australia. By driving innovation within the Circular Economy, Aife and the Salvos Stores team can continue to grow the impact of Salvos Stores and re-use in Australia.

Session: How to develop a modern waste management & resource recovery strategy

Lloyd is a Senior Consultant, Circular economy. He leads Edge’s work in the waste and resource recovery sector with wide-ranging experience in consulting to private enterprise and government. He has an exceptionally strong network of contacts nationally in the resource recovery circular economy space, and wide knowledge of industry initiatives. High profile clients include AMP Capital, Mirvac, JLL, Beyond Bank, Westpac, The Australian Museum, NSW EPA, Property NSW and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO)

Session: FIRESIDE CHAT: Minimising waste in the textiles industry and the new National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme

Dr Alice Payne is a Professor and Dean of the School of Fashion and Textiles at RMIT, Melbourne. Her research focuses on environmental and social sustainability issues throughout the life cycle of clothing. Recent work has examined labour issues in the cotton value chain, as well as technologies to address the problem of textile waste. Alice is part of the Australian Fashion Council-led consortium designing the National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme. She is author of the book Designing Fashion’s Future, co-editor of Global Perspectives on Sustainable Fashion, and is an award-winning designer and educator.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - Journeying towards zero waste

Blaise is the Group Director Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility at Sims Limited, the global leader in metal recycling and data centre IT circularity. She directs Sims Limited’s long-term sustainability ambitions and goals, integrates sustainability throughout the company’s divisions worldwide, and helps Sims fulfil its purpose - to create a world without waste, to preserve our planet. Blaise recently completed a Masters in Sustainability & Climate Policy from Curtin University.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - What is the path forward for developing a genuine and self-supporting circular economy?

Django is an environmental engineer committed to unlocking new enterprise and creating a more sustainable economy in Greater Sydney and the world. 

Django’s experience spans operations, planning, strategy and policy development in the water sector. His current role focuses on establishing circular economy collaborations with customers in the rapidly growing Western Sydney. His projects focus on organic waste management, bioenergy, agribusiness and integrated water cycle management.

Omer Soker is the CEO of Charitable Recycling Australia, which champions the circular economy for a sustainable environment and an equitable society.

Australia’s network of 3,000+ charity and social enterprise retailers divert over a million tonnes from landfill every year, generating almost a billion dollars for social good while reducing CO2 emissions by 888,000 tonnes through reuse and extending the life of pre-loved clothing and household items.

What Omer loves most about working with Charitable Recycling Australia is the opportunity to deliver both social and environmental impact and make a meaningful contribution to the future agenda of creating a circular economy.

Omer is also a professional speaker and facilitator, with a focus on accelerating social, environmental and economic impact. He is the author of The Future of Associations and creator of the 6-step roadmap to progress, change and influence.

Session: PANEL DISCUSSION - Building community education programs to increase and improve recycling behaviour

Liesbet has experience as a senior partner in a global professional services firm, with a focus on infrastructure advice, policy and strategy. She has also worked in the NSW Government’s planning portfolio and the Department of Premier and Cabinet, leading the development of strategy and policy.

Liesbet has extensive experience in engaging with stakeholders and believes strongly in a client-centred approach to engagement and service delivery. At the EPA she leads the Engagement, Education and Programs Division, which is responsible for engaging with stakeholders and designing and delivering effective programs to drive behaviour change.
Liesbet holds a Bachelor of Commerce  and Administration an MBA.

Session: Nestlé Case Study: Packaging and Sustainability

Margaret is Head of Corporate Affairs at Nestlé Oceania, where she is responsible for communications and public affairs across the region. In this role, Margaret works in areas as diverse as nutrition, human rights and environmental sustainability, working across a portfolio of iconic food and beverage brands. She has a broad corporate affairs background, particularly in the healthcare, food and agribusiness sectors.

Most recently, Margaret has been involved in developing Nestlé’s vision for a better future for soft plastic packaging in Australia.

Session: How to develop a modern waste management & resource recovery strategy

Mike is a Senior Sustainability Consultant at Edge Environment and a certified NABERS Waste assessor, Circulab consultant, and APCO professional member. Over the years, Mike has contributed to a range of circular economy, and resource recovery projects.  In these projects, much of Mike’s time has been focused on understanding the waste and material compositions of business environments and opportunities that optimise material efficiencies, minimise dependency and ensure that materials flow through the value chain instead of ending up in landfill.