/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/current-students/images/Coffs-harbour_student-group_20220616_33-147kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/current-students/services/counselling/images/RS21533_English-College-Student_20191210_DSC_6961-117kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/study/scholarships/images/STEPHANIE-PORTO-108-2-169kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/study/arts-and-humanities/images/RS20958_Chin-Yung-Pang-Andy_20190309__79I5562-960X540.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/experience/images/SCU-INTNL-STUDY-GUIDE-280422-256-72kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/dep-site-assets/component-library/screenshots/online-1X1.jpg)
ZeroWaste
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/WMCE_960_540.jpg)
Tackling the global waste problem
Bringing together research expertise in geochemistry, environmental science, engineering, business and education to develop solutions for our global waste problem. Our research addresses the barriers associated with integrating wastes into the circular economy, developing and implementing cutting-edge scientific, technical, social, economic and education-based solutions.
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/Recirculator_Dirk_Erler_Photograph-by-Peter-Derrett-5012.jpg)
“There is a shift around the world toward a circular economy where waste products from one process are turned into resources for another.”
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/shutterstock_1102776068-109kb.jpg)
Introduction to ZeroWaste research impact cluster at Southern Cross University
ReCirculator
Led by Southern Cross, ReCirculator connects NSW Northern Rivers businesses in a circular economy ecosystem of cutting-edge technology
Environmental Analysis Laboratory
Specialising in quality analytical services, including testing for agricultural soil, plant, acid sulfate soil, contaminants and more
Linkage projects
Southern Cross is collaborating with industry and community to deliver a number of ARC-funded research projects
Key research projects
Transforming meat residue into agricultural soil
Red meat processing in Australia is facing significant challenges including growing volumes of organic residues that are an economic and environmental liability. This ARC Linkage project led by Associate Professor Dirk Erler aims to develop a new technology that can transform the organic residues from red meat processing into engineered hydrochars. These hydrochars will be customised to store soil nutrients, improve plant growth, and actively mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Read more/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/Beef-cattle-caleb-woods-EJONstiI3qI_960_540.jpg)
ReCirculator
As a champion of the circular economy model in the Northern Rivers, Southern Cross is partnering with local industry to reduce waste while creating jobs and driving innovation. The ReCirculator project connects NSW Northern Rivers businesses in a circular economy ecosystem of cutting-edge technology. It acts as an economic growth driver by saving costs, improving productivity, regenerating resources and creating resilient jobs.
Read more/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/Dirk-Erler-and-Shane-McIntosh_20180531_DSC_3933.jpg)
Waste Wise Schools
Waste Wise Schools is an action-based program that encourages schools to move toward zero waste through their curriculum and operating practices. Established in 1997, the program has been implemented in hundreds of Australian schools. It has experienced tangible success in reducing schools’ waste through its approach of reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Read more/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/shutterstock_1102776068-109kb.jpg)
Marine plastic research partnership
Southern Cross University is part of an international research partnership tackling marine plastic pollution. Professor Amanda Reichelt-Brushett's expertise in marine ecology and marine pollution is enhancing the partnership between Southern Cross University, the Pacific Islands Development Forum and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).
Read more/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/P9250074.JPG)
Diverting Plastics from Landfill in Red-Meat Processing
This project focuses on reducing single-use plastics waste in red meat processing. The research will provide measurable baseline data against which alternative production pathway scenarios can be assessed and evaluated to achieve sustainability goals, while maintaining or improving food safety and shelf-life standards. It contributes to achieving the Australian Meat Processor Corporation’s aspiration of the industry being recognised as global leaders in environmental stewardship and acknowledged as responsible businesses with positive economic and social impacts on their communities by 2030. The study also contributes to helping red meat processing facilities achieving the 2025 National Packaging Waste targets.
Read more/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/Meat-packaging-at-supermarket.png)
Researcher profiles
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/Dirk-Erler-on-RV-Investigator_Credit-CSIRO-Oct-2019_01.jpg)
Dirk Erler
Professor - Faculty of Science and Engineering
Nutrient cycling, Environmental engineering, Wastewater, Environmental science
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/Professor-Andrew-Rose20200304-17_800_800-A.jpg)
Andrew Rose
Professor - Faculty of Science and Engineering
Environmental Engineering, Geochemistry, Aquatic chemistry, Biogeochemistry, Circular economy
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/Lachlan-Yee_IMG_4839.jpg)
Lachlan Yee
Professor - Faculty of Science and Engineering
Polymer Chemistry, Plastics recycling, Biodegradable plastics, Antibacterial plastics
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/faculties-and-colleges/education/staff-images/Simone-Blom-200X200.jpg)
Simone Blom
Professor - Faculty of Education
Environmental Education (including waste), Science Education
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/faculties-and-colleges/science-and-engineering/staff-images/charles-lemckert.png)
Charles Lemckert
Professor - Faculty of Science and Engineering
Engineering/Science education, Water quality, Building construction management
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/engage/live-ideas/Owen-Hogan-Headshot.jpg)
Owen Hogan
Professor - Faculty of Business, Law and Arts
Entrepreneurship, Circular economy, Innovation management, Business models, Services
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/news/southern-cross-matters/Lisa-Siegel-Profile-pic-2020.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/Prof-Amy-Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles2x.jpg)
Amy Cutter-Mackenzie Knowles
Professor - Faculty of Education
Environmental Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Climate change education, Climate change, Posthuman theory
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/Amanda-Reichelt-Brushett_20180530_DSC_3583-hi_800_800.jpg)
Amanda Reichelt-Brushett
Professor - Faculty of Science and Engineering
Ecotoxicology, Rehabilitation and restoration, Environmental science, Catchment management, Sediment and water quality assessment and management
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/Emma-Thompson-Brewster.jpg)
Emma Thompson Brewster
Professor - Faculty of Science and Engineering
Wastewater and waste management, Nutrient recovery, Electrochemistry, Mathematical modelling and statistics, Humanitarian engineering
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/research/images/20240926_132341-Michael-Reading-800-800-78kb.jpg)
Michael Reading
Professor - Faculty of Science and Engineering
Greenhouse gas emissions, Water Quality, Groundwater tracing, Plant Nutrition