Waste

Human activity produces plastic, metal, organic and general waste. It is vital to address and properly manage waste to prevent environmental damage, health risks and the development of unsightly and undesirable areas. Reducing, reusing and recycling waste are key priorities for sustainable human development.

Waste management in the remote areas of the Cape York Peninsula is limited. Most waste goes to landfill. Abandoned fishing equipment, marine plastic and debris from overseas accumulates in the coastal areas. E-waste is also an increasing challenge as there is limited opportunity to repurpose white goods.

Can you propose any innovative ways to deal with this waste in a safe and sustainable manner?

9. E-Waste

E-waste is also an increasing challenge as there is limited opportunity to repurpose white goods for example, fridges and other household appliances. White goods are particularly difficult to maintain, repair and appropriately dispose of in remote communities, homelands and outstations where there is no formally managed local council collection, rubbish tip or recycling facilities and pose a hazard when abandoned in open spaces. Are there any ways that white goods could be recycled, upcycled or otherwise repurposed?

10. Repair don't replace?

Some key reasons for waste production is the lack of repair services available locally and the short lifetime built into products. How might opportunities to repair goods, or extend their lifetime through other means, be increased in order to reduce waste?

11. Plastic problems [*1]

Plastic waste is regarded as marine debris in conservation planning. Rangers involved in sea conservation will gather up waste and plastic pollution along the beach and place it in concentrated spots on the beach. Plastics, including food packaging and ghost fishing nets, are a growing waste stream with currently limited management processes. Fishing equipment, especially nets, are the most common form of plastic pollution along the coastal communities. Are there any opportunities to manage different types of plastic waste produced in these remote areas and mitigate the negative impact of this waste on biodiversity and the environment?

27. Reduce food waste [*1]

People may be away from homelands for considerable periods of time as they work on Country or unable to travel due to inaccessible roads in the wet season. Can you propose any innovative ways to store food that allows people to travel to and from Country without worrying about food spoiling?

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[*1] This project spans several design areas