Creating Added Value from Wastes - The BOP Waste 2 Gold Initiative

What is Waste to Gold?

Scion is developing a range of innovative solutions that not only deal with your waste, but actually create value. This means you will not only save costs on waste treatment and disposal but also improve your profitability.

In particular, this means significant improvements in the overall environmental sustainability and international competitiveness of your business.

What are some examples?

We are pursuing a range of exciting added-value options in the following areas:

• Using waste as a bio-processing feedstock;
• Combining waste with other materials for added value products;
• Recovering energy and chemicals from wastes and residues.

Three examples Scion is already working on are:

1. Bugs to bioplastics – we can turn your waste into biodegradable polymers using novel bacteria – a renewable substitute for existing petrochemical plastics. 
2. Waste to composites – by mixing your waste with other materials, such as plastics, resins and additives, we are creating a range of novel products, including controlled-release fertilisers,  biodegradable plant pots, panels, and other moulded plastic products. 
3. Biomass to energy – we can convert residues into biogas, liquid biofuels, or solid energy systems (e.g. wood pellets for heating systems).

Why is this necessary?

The volume of current wastes causes many problems for the industry as a whole:

• Operational issues associated with the removal and disposal of the waste;
• Increasing pressure from both local councils and waste takers to minimise waste;
• Reduction of overall profitability of the industry through cost of waste removal;
• Opportunities to increase bottom line profitability through utilising waste, not realised;
• Land filling of waste is a considerable cost to the processors;
• Options for waste re-direction restricted, due to negative effects on downstream product quality;
• The Organic Waste Strategy for NZ, targeting significant reduction of landfill wastes.

As future disposal options become more limited, industry will be forced to redirect wastes from current practices, such as land filling and spreading.

The Waste 2 Gold initiative is proactively generating sustainable solutions, which will simultaneously help to increase revenues, reduce costs and add value to businesses.

How do I fit in?

There is continuing significant growth in New Zealand’s primary industries. As production volumes increase, then waste will also increases.

We have formed a BOP Waste 2 Gold Initiative, which will allow us to work together in this exciting field. Scion believes that the BOP region can play a key role in this programme. We are seeking a broad range of members, including the Agri-food sector, regulatory authorities and technology providers, to join us.

Our members will provide direct investment and the technology transfer pathways for the programme’s outcomes. You will have the opportunity to actively influence the direction, outcomes and have a share of the benefits of this programme.

What are the benefits for me?

By joining this initiative, you will be given the opportunity to:

• Shape its direction;
• Help prioritise the programme’s goals;
• Benefit from leveraged funding;
• Have direct access to the technology solutions developed; and
• Share the broader economic benefits of commercialisation.

The BOP Waste 2 Gold initiative is an incubator model for a future national programme. Scion hopes to extend this from a regional focus into a national initiative. Your active participation will allow us to generate outcomes that ultimately benefit all of New Zealand.

How does it work?

We have set up a Management Committee, which will oversee and coordinate the activities of the programme on behalf of the members. This Committee is led by industry, and comprises various sector representatives and Scion.

Multi-year research and development projects will be developed in consultation with initiative participants. Project investment will be obtained through members and leveraged funding.

IP ownership will be managed via Scion and opportunities to access this IP will be offered to members of this Initiative.

A secure Waste 2 Gold website will allow you to share and receive the latest information, keep up-to-date with the current research programmes, and provide general information on industry trends in this area.

What are the next steps?

Scion would welcome the opportunity to discuss the Waste 2 Gold initiative with potential members and stakeholders.

For more information, contact the administrator using the details below.

Darren Hill
Scion
Private Bag  3020
Sala Street
ROTORUA

Mobile 021 759 722
DDI 07 343 5740
Email darren.hill@scionresearch.com