Vol. No. Vol. 2418No. 3627
Wednesday, January 13, 2022 2016 Wednesday, March 23,
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PEDALLING ON: Allen Webb, who farms at Grass Flat north of Mt Arapiles, still rides his trusty bicycle to collect mail. Mr Webb, following a long line of centenarians in his family, will turn 100 on Sunday. Story, page 5. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Plastics potential A
BY DEAN LAWSON
$50-million national project to tackle Australia’s plasticpollution challenges might help open the door for further exploration into agricultural value-adding opportunities across the Wimmera-Mallee. A CSIRO Ending Plastic Waste Mission, which includes a proposal to pursue compostable plastic from food waste, has caught the attention of regional development leaders. Wimmera Development Association
executive director Chris Sounness said the CSIRO’s program aim to reduce Australian plastic waste by 80 percent in the next decade had the potential to open future new agriculturalproduct doors. “In agriculture we rightfully talk about production of food, but producing plastics from food-waste by-product could well represent a new frontier that includes a variety of value-adding products,” he said. “As research delves further into what we can produce, we’re expect-
ing more value-adding food-crop opportunities to emerge – but also with the potential for these opportunities to expand further afield. “Often it’s about taking ideas and working with entrepreneurs and farmers and starting with little projects and supporting initiative. Then over time, it’s about building scale and generating pathways.” Industry, government, university and other organisations are investing an initial $50-million in the Ending Plastic Waste Mission, designed to change
the way Australia makes, uses, recycles and disposes of plastics. CSIRO chief executive Larry Marshall said global expectations were that plastic use would double by 2040 and a response needed a ‘Team Australia’ approach. “The Ending Plastic Waste Mission will bring together the whole innovation system, from government, industry and academia to turn science into solutions that will benefit the environment and create economic opportunities for Australia,” he said.
“By working together, by aligning our efforts, and by pushing each other further for a common cause, we can tackle seemingly impossible challenges – like protecting our environment while making sustainability profitable for business. And we can achieve it faster.” Mission work that might offer broadacre farming opportunities is a collaboration between CSIRO and Murdoch University to establish a new Bioplastics Innovation Hub. Continued page 3
IN IN THIS ISSUE • Crisis accommodation plangroup • Quantong residents stand•strong • Football-netballclub action THIS ISSUE • Education advocacy • Rising fuel prices Your football-netball Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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