A mobile glass crusher has been installed at the Wellington Resource Recovery and Transfer Station. The Komplet MT5000 mobile glass crusher will increase glass recycling rates by processing glass bottles and jars collected through kerbside recycling and drop-off facilities and re-use the recovered crushed glass (RCG) locally in civil construction applications. [ + ]

The pursuit of green-collar jobs - employment that contributes to protecting the environment and reducing humanity’s carbon footprint - is a key social and economic driver here in Australia. Currently, green job ads are at an all-time high. But as carbon emissions and temperatures continue to rise, we must continue looking for new ways in which to reach a green future. [ + ]

The UniSort line of sorting machines developed by RTT Steinert uses a range of detection and separation technologies to automatically sort waste at different points along the recovery and recycling path. [ + ]

NICTA is leading a multimillion-dollar, ICT-enabled, geothermal energy initiative announced by the Australian Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE). [ + ]

Toyota has heralded an affordable compact hybrid car that will cut fuel use and emissions in half without resorting to expensive technologies or manufacturing methods. Toyota’s FT-Bh Concept, which is having its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, is about the same size as a Yaris but has shed well over 200 kg to tip the scales at 786 kg. The FT-Bh, which stands for Future Toyota B-segment hybrid, targets fuel economy of just 2.1 L/100 km and CO₂ emissions of just 49 g/km - almost twice as good as the Prius. [ + ]

ABB has officially signed a contract with Queensland Health to design, supply and install a 266-kilowatt roof-mounted solar panel system at the Hervey Bay Hospital located on the Fraser Coast in Queensland. The system will generate around 385 megawatt-hours of renewable energy each year, saving an estimated $20,000 on electricity costs and reducing carbon emissions by approximately 400 tonnes annually. [ + ]

Food scraps and organic waste from on-site food preparation and catering areas at the Adelaide Oval will find a new use as nutrient-rich compost, thanks to a closed system recycling program supported by BASF. [ + ]

The Australian Cleantech sector is profiled to a greater extent than ever before in a report published at the Australasian Cleantech Forum in Melbourne. The report provides an overview of the location, activities, revenue, employee numbers and funds raised by all of Australia’s leading cleantech companies. [ + ]

In the quest to become more energy efficient and reduce our greenhouse gas output, the question of whether we can rely on energy retailers to help us in this journey is often asked. Jennifer Baltatzidis, Principal Consultant in Energy Engineering at Origin Energy, presents her opinion on this subject. [ + ]

Alternative Petroleum Technology (APT), an American company, has partnered with New Zealand-based company Blended Fuel Solutions and recently taken up residence at the Clean Technology Centre in Otaki. The New Zealand branch of APT is introducing a range of emulsified fuel technologies which could help to reduce fuel consumption, increase engine efficiency and reduce noxious tailpipe emissions and greenhouse gases. [ + ]

Stanford researchers have designed a new technology that could lead to wireless charging of electric vehicles while they cruise down the highway. [ + ]

The effects of climate change could expose Australians to greater risks from toxic contamination. Increased flooding could release contaminants previously regarded as secure into groundwater, rivers, oceans, the food supply and atmosphere, according to the Director of the CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment, Professor Ravi Naidu. [ + ]

Coal seam gas exploration remains a significant issue in the community and an area of strong focus for the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA). [ + ]

Since changing jobs from plumbing to managing a wastewater treatment facility, Wayne Brooking has kept similarities in his role; maintaining piping systems. Now he is responsible for the efficient processing of Kawerau’s wastewater on a much larger scale, and Watson-Marlow Bredel pumps are a key part of this process. [ + ]

Ford has set itself the goal of cutting the amount of water used to make each vehicle 30% globally by 2015, compared with the amount of water used per vehicle in 2009. [ + ]