Elsa Dominish

A Northern Territory lithium mine. Fleet Space Technologies/AAP

June 28, 2023

We could need 6 times more of the minerals used for renewables and batteries. How can we avoid a huge increase in mining impacts?

Rusty Langdon, University of Technology Sydney and Elsa Dominish, University of Technology Sydney

Nearly 400 new mines could open by 2035 to meet demand for the minerals used in global electrification. Better recycling can help with supply, but mining’s impacts will have to be better managed.

Shutterstock

March 23, 2023

Why bioplastics won’t solve our plastic problems

Elsa Dominish, University of Technology Sydney; Fiona Berry, University of Technology Sydney; Nick Florin, University of Technology Sydney, and Rupert Legg, University of Technology Sydney

Compostable food waste bin caddies are the main sustainable use for bioplastics at present. Almost all bioplastics are ending up in landfill.

jakarta macet.

September 7, 2022

Pakar Menjawab: BBM bikin kantong bolong, berikut cara kurangi ketergantungan pada penggunaan mobil bensin

Anggi M. Lubis, The Conversation

Harga BBM naik? Mari pikirkan caranya kurangi ketergantungan pada kendaraan pribadi berbahan bakar fosil.

Shutterstock

March 2, 2021

Think all your plastic is being recycled? New research shows it can end up in the ocean

Monique Retamal, University of Technology Sydney; Elsa Dominish, University of Technology Sydney; Nick Florin, University of Technology Sydney, and Rachael Wakefield-Rann, University of Technology Sydney

Some plastic sent overseas for recycling ends up as pollution, or goes up in toxic smoke. But there are steps we can take to ensure our waste is processed as intended.

Dan Himbrechts/AAP

July 2, 2020

45,000 renewables jobs are Australia’s for the taking – but how many will go to coal workers?

Chris Briggs, University of Technology Sydney; Elsa Dominish, University of Technology Sydney, and Jay Rutovitz, University of Technology Sydney

Some coal workers have the right skills and work in the right location to get a job in renewables. But many, such as semi-skilled machine operators, cannot.

Seorang pekerja pembangkit listrik Hazelwood menggantung topinya di pagar kawasan pembangkit yang ditutup setelah 52 tahun beroperasi. AAP Image/Mal Fairclough

June 10, 2019

Bagaimana transisi dari batu bara: 4 pelajaran dari penutupan pembangkit di berbagai negara

Chris Briggs, University of Technology Sydney; Elsa Dominish, University of Technology Sydney, and Franziska Mey, University of Technology Sydney

Beberapa negara penghasil batu bara, seperti Jerman dan Spanyol, sedang melakukan paket transisi utama yang adil. Namun, negara-negara lain kurang berhasil.

A Hazelwood power station employee hangs his hat on the fence after it closed after 52 years of operation. AAP Image/Mal Fairclough

May 14, 2019

How to transition from coal: 4 lessons for Australia from around the world

Chris Briggs, University of Technology Sydney; Elsa Dominish, University of Technology Sydney, and Franziska Mey, University of Technology Sydney

Australia hasn’t done much planning to prepare for the shift away from coal. But it’s not too late to learn from international experiences.

Electric vehicles and renewable energy must mine more responsibly. Ioanac/Shutterstock

April 16, 2019

Electric cars can clean up the mining industry – here’s how

Elsa Dominish, University of Technology Sydney and Nick Florin, University of Technology Sydney

More electric vehicles and renewable energy means more mining for resources. Unless industry adopts cleaner habits urgently, the environment faces more damage.

Migrant workers break apart blocks of pressed plastic bottles at a recycling plant in Thailand. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

January 29, 2019

Here’s what happens to our plastic recycling when it goes offshore

Monique Retamal, University of Technology Sydney; Elsa Dominish, University of Technology Sydney; Le Xuan Thinh; Nguyen, Anh Tuan, and Samantha Sharpe, University of Technology Sydney

Since China stopped accepting Australia’s recyclable plastic, the majority of exported plastic waste is now going to developing nations in South East Asia.

Sydney’s experience suggests that having separate bins for paper and bottles leads to better recycling. AAP Image/Tracy Nearmy

May 7, 2018

A crisis too big to waste: China’s recycling ban calls for a long‑term rethink in Australia

Monique Retamal, University of Technology Sydney; Elsa Dominish, University of Technology Sydney; Jennifer Macklin (Downes), University of Technology Sydney, and Nick Florin, University of Technology Sydney

Both short- and long-term solutions are needed to solve Australia’s recycling crisis. State and federal ministers are pursuing some promising avenues, but they need to cast the net much wider.

Bernard Spragg. NZ/Flickr

April 26, 2018

China’s recycling ‘ban’ throws Australia into a very messy waste crisis

Jennifer Macklin (Downes), University of Technology Sydney and Elsa Dominish, University of Technology Sydney

China new cleanliness standards for the recyclable materials it imports are so stringent that they are tantamount to a total ban. Australian councils are now in crisis mode as the rubbish piles up.

What goes around comes around – New circular thinking, access to abundant solar energy and supporting new technology could provide a competitive advantage for Australian industries. Flickr/Beyond Zero Emissions

July 7, 2015

Resource productivity: four ways Australia can keep the good times rolling

Nick Florin, University of Technology Sydney; Damien Giurco, University of Technology Sydney, and Elsa Dominish, University of Technology Sydney

Australia’s relative share of global economic opportunity derived from smarter use of materials, energy and water could be $26 billion each year by 2025. Here are four ways Australia could make the most of the circular economy boom.

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