In order to deliver true sustainable outcomes for transport infrastructure, it is necessary to consider a broad range of economic, social and environmental aspects. Bridges form an integral part of most transport infrastructure projects and bridge engineers are strongly placed to influence the sustainability outcomes of such projects. [ + ]

A novel, single-step wastewater recycling treatment that uses a ceramic membrane is currently being trialled in Australia to determine if it can provide a more affordable and sustainable solution. Jonathan Clement, Managing Director Asia-Pacific PWN Technologies, provides the details. [ + ]

Could your merlot be growing alongside the moose of Yellowstone National Park soon or in prime panda habitat in China? A new study by a team of international researchers and led by Conservation International suggests that it could. [ + ]

FirstCarbon Solutions, a pioneer in environmental sustainability business solutions, and Compass Group, a food and support services company, have announced the launch of the software tool being used to support Compass Group’s Carbon FOODprint toolkit. The web-based tool is designed to help Compass Group’s food operations staff lower their environmental impact and their operational costs. [ + ]

One of the country’s biggest sugar companies has opened a cogeneration facility that uses waste from its processes to produce enough electricity to meet one-third of Mackay City’s power needs, as well as supply steam and electricity to its own mill and sugar refinery. [ + ]

Nanoscientists at the University of Oslo are currently developing the next generation of solar cells which will be 20 times thinner than current solar cells. [ + ]

An integrated water project servicing the towns of Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy in Queensland has been designed for growth across the region without causing environmental damage to the pristine environment. TRILITY was contracted by the Gladstone Regional Council to provide the new infrastructure, including a wastewater treatment facility and seawater desalination plant. [ + ]

Sustainability Matters talks to Ivor Frischknecht, CEO of ARENA, about the current and future trends for the renewable energy mix in Australia. ARENA is an independent statutory authority tasked with the objectives of improving the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies and increasing the supply of renewable energy in Australia. [ + ]

Most people would be reluctant to put solar panels on east- or west-facing roofs as they fear that they may be losing too much power production and increasing their return on investment too much. However, RETI has produced some surprising results in the difference in performance between different orientated panels. [ + ]

What if businesses were told that they could use less energy and get paid more for it? Demand response programs in Australia and New Zealand can do just that. [ + ]

Corrosion of sewer assets is a worldwide phenomenon, particularly in countries with a warm climate. It is estimated that concrete sewer pipes in many areas of Australia are being corroded at an average rate of 1-3 mm per year or more. Hence, instead of providing service for 50 to 100 years as recorded in water utilities asset registers, sewer pipes are failing after 20 years or less. Internal surveys by several major water utilities in Australia show that the abnormally fast depreciation of assets and the mitigation of corrosion problems alone are costing the Australian water industry hundreds of millions of dollars a year. [ + ]

The New York Jets are the proud owners of the NFL’s largest PV system at a team headquarters. The 690 kW photovoltaic (PV) array from Yingli Solar is located on the vast, unobstructed roof of the team’s main training facility outside Newark, NJ - an ideal location for solar energy. [ + ]

Auckland War Memorial Museum has achieved a milestone in its sustainability efforts by cutting its carbon footprint during 2012 by 21%, taking its reduction over the past two years to 31%. This result means the museum expects to spend 35% less on electricity and gas in 2013 compared to what was spent in its benchmark year of 2010. [ + ]

A novel degradable plastic could dramatically improve the efficiency of native tree revegetation from seed in marginal low rainfall areas, which typically give low germination and establishment. [ + ]

Recently, RRS Company decided to install and test photovoltaic technology on its own with a 2 MWp totally integrated rooftop system. RRS Company decided to use Yingli Solar modules because of the good results that Yingli has been achieving in other European countries. [ + ]