Following the successful installation of new recycling bins at Westfield Shopping Centres nationally, the recycling of bottles and cans has almost trebled from 542 to 1492 tonnes a year, equivalent to more than 62 million small plastic PET containers. [ + ]

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) yesterday presented an initiative to boost sustainable agriculture in developing countries through partnerships between governments, businesses and smallholder farmers to coordinate the production and export of key commodities like coffee, grains and cocoa. [ + ]

Brother International Australia, a provider of home and business IT peripherals, has joined the Australia and New Zealand Recycling Platform (ANZRP), to provide a free e-waste recycling service for Australian consumers. [ + ]

The Water Sciences Group (WSG) of Australian Laboratory Services (ALS) has joined engineering, architecture and environmental consulting company GHD. [ + ]

The Clean Energy Regulator has made a determination on the number of local councils with landfill sites that could be emitting large amounts of methane and other gasses. [ + ]

From 1 July 2012, various types of emissions units will be financial products under the Corporations Act. Financial services in these products will be regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). [ + ]

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, have announced over $42 million in grants to improve energy efficiency across community buildings and facilities. [ + ]

A new sustainability rating tool is set to transform Australia’s cities and communities. The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released Green Star - Communities, an independent, national rating tool which will drive more sustainable, productive and liveable communities. [ + ]

First Solar has announced that it will supply, construct and maintain large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects totalling 159 MW_AC for AGL, following AGL’s selection as the successful proponent in the solar PV category of the Solar Flagships Program independent reassessment process. [ + ]

Australia will not have enough fresh water to meet the combined needs of a rapidly growing population, expanding industries and conservation of native landscapes in the mid-21st century if it fails to articulate a national groundwater strategy for the future. The caution comes from two of the nation’s most eminent water scientists, Professor Craig Simmons and Professor Peter Cook of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NGCRT). [ + ]

The energy efficiency of New Zealand’s textiles sector is set to improve under the EECA Business Textiles Sector Energy Efficiency Programme, announced today. [ + ]

This month, more than 200 economists, academics and key industry figures from 30 countries will gather in Perth for the International Association for Energy Economics’ (IAEE) 35th Annual International Conference, to be held from 24-27 June at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. [ + ]

Local agencies in New Zealand have combined to make sure the current disposal of earthquake waste is efficiently managed and monitored to ensure protection of the natural environment in both the short and longer term. [ + ]

Leaders in water-quality management and research will gather at CQUniversity Mackay to share ideas and work towards protecting the Mackay Whitsunday catchments at the Healthy Waterways Symposium from 13-15 June. [ + ]

REC has launched a certification program for solar installers in Australia, including warranty extension and service fees for those who comply. More than 100 installers in six countries are already certified as REC solar professionals. [ + ]