Frasers Property wants your waste management pitches

Frasers Property is aiming to create the world’s most sustainable shopping centre at Burwood Brickworks in Melbourne — a task that requires a focus on innovative waste minimisation and waste management procedures.

Now, the company has put out a call for start-ups through to established businesses to submit their most progressive practical products, processes and/or services to WastEd, an innovation ideas forum which will culminate in a Shark Tank-like pitch in front of a live audience at Swinburne University.

WastEd is about understanding what is possible in a waste management context in a suburban retail centre, with real and tested solutions sought that support Frasers Property’s goal of achieving Living Building Challenge certification for Burwood Brickworks shopping centre — claimed to be the world’s most rigorous sustainability standard in the built environment.

Entries to WastEd are open from now until 27 November, with a shortlist to be determined and invited to pitch their solution to a panel in front of a live audience at Swinburne University on 4 December. The most compelling entries will either be integrated into the infrastructure of the shopping centre or provided as options to all tenants.

Jack Davis, Development Manager – Retail, Frasers Property Australia, said WastEd is about uncovering solutions with the capacity to address one or multiple waste streams, for one or more types of tenancy, or even for members of the public who visit the centre.

“The minimisation of waste is especially poignant in retail so we’re looking for practical solutions that will reduce waste and eliminate landfill in the context of a super-neighbourhood centre with a broad tenancy mix, looking at all waste streams, with typical site constraints,” he said.

“We are looking for the best practical solutions able to be deployed in an operational shopping centre which will have a measurable, meaningful impact on waste minimisation or elimination.”

Davis is encouraging out-of-the-box concepts and products, disruptive measures with the potential to shake up the retail industry as it relates to waste and new perspectives that promote waste as a valuable commodity. Submissions may also focus on products that are longer lasting, easier to repair and dismantle, or even ways to convince consumers and tenants, and influence public attitudes.

“The pitch opportunity is open to interpretation and we’re hoping to tap into some truly progressive solutions that will rewrite what’s possible in a waste context for retail,” Davis said. “There’s no more appropriate project than Burwood Brickworks shopping centre to be the focus of an initiative like this.”

For further information about WastEd, and to download the submission form, visit www.frasersproperty.com.au/retail/vic/burwood-brickworks/wasted.