How do we clean up the recycling crisis?

‘What is the one thing I can do to help?’ is a common question we ask, as individuals, about the recycling crisis. The truth is, your metal straw or reusable coffee cup is just one of the many things you could do to help. Learn how Australia got into this recycling mess, and hear about some behaviour changes you need to make to actually begin helping.

Bio

Dr Thornton is currently employed as a lecturer at Deakin University in Hazardous Materials Management and also consults widely within the waste management sector on processes to develop and implement programs to reduce their environmental impacts. Trevor has over the past couple of years provided expert commentary to the broader community and issues affecting our waste and recycling systems for both households and the commercial/industrial sectors. Trevor has presented to the Victorian Parliament on the issues and solutions for the current waste management issues as well as being a member of the Victoria Government Plastic Pollution Advisory Group.

Research interests lie in the management of clinical and related waste, environment management systems, life cycle assessment, education for waste management (in particular waste minimisation) and municipal waste management. Interests also lie in linking issues such as social aspects, risk assessment and occupational health and safety to waste management particularly in areas where implementing waste management techniques may upset current social structures.

Projects Trevor has worked on has been for a broad range of industry sectors (eg., manufacturing, government, construction, healthcare, retail and hospitality), so as to develop sustainable cost-effective solutions for waste management. This may be in the design of waste systems through to development and implementation of opportunities to increase resource efficiency. Recent projects have focussed on waste to energy and household waste management issues.

Dr Thornton’s past experiences include employment by the Victorian Environment Protection Authority where he was responsible for the development and implementation of many waste management policies, including those for municipal and industrial wastes.

6:00pm @Hopscotch, 4 Riverside Quay Southbank Melbourne VIC 3006.

Also speaking at this location at 7:30pm is Dr Bernadette Atkinson.

This event is hosted in a venue that is wheelchair accessible.

Please reach out to knowledge@melbourne.vic.gov.au to request an Auslan interpreter for this event.