Western Australia is at the forefront of the national war on plastic waste with the launch of the $8 million Bioplastics Innovation Hub (BIH) at Murdoch University yesterday.
The BIH is a collaborative initiative from the national science agency, CSIRO, and Murdoch University. It aims to revolutionise plastic packaging to develop fully compostable bioplastics that break down completely, leaving no trace.
Federal Minister for Industry and Science the Hon Ed Husic MP toured the BIH during Federal Cabinet’s visit to Western Australia. The Minister viewed demonstrations of bioplastics under development, as well as a soil spray which has exciting applications for the agriculture and mining industries.
Australians know we need to change the way that we make and use plastics,” Minister Husic said.
“We are one of the biggest users of plastics in the world, but we only recycle 14%. And so, finding a different way of making food wrappers, plastic wrappers, containers, items that are used in industry at scale, you’ve got to find new ways to do things."
“With this Bioplastics Innovation Hub here in Western Australia, this State can be at the forefront of coming up with new ways to make biodegradable plastics.”
Following the Minister’s visit, the University officially launched the BIH with around 80 government, university, industry and business stakeholders in attendance.
Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Deeks told the audience developing alternatives to fossil fuel-based plastics was fundamental to the health and welfare of every living thing on our planet.
“For Murdoch, the important research being conducted by the Bioplastics Innovation Hub reflects our core values as a university,” he said.
“From our foundation almost 50 years ago, Murdoch has always been associated with the environment and conservation – and one of our key strategic themes is focused on Sustainability: creating solutions for a better and more sustainable world.”
Dr Peter Mayfield, CSIRO’s Executive Director – Environment, Energy and Resources, told the audience three million tonnes of plastic packaging is sent to landfill each year – the equivalent of 200 billion chip packets, with plastic use expected to double by 2040.
Understanding the role of different waste streams and development of new sustainable resource alternatives will see better waste management, economic gains and environmental wins. That is why the Hub is so important." Dr Peter Mayfield
“CSIRO and Murdoch have co-invested $8 million to establish the Bioplastics Innovation Hub to drive cutting-edge technologies and the next generation of sustainable plastics.”
The Hub is also working closely with industry to boost Australia’s biomanufacturing industry.
One partner, Ecopha, is looking to develop a new process for water bottle production using food waste. Director Dr Wilson Ling told the audience: “Ecopha is committed to helping commercialise the outcomes of the research and development from the Bioplastics Innovation Hub.”