The Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE) is thrilled to announce the six successful applicants of the Circular Economy Grants program. Grants of up to $50,000 were awarded to each of the exciting and diverse projects offering practical and innovative circular economy solutions to benefit Greater Whitsunday Region businesses, local environment, and community.
Capsicum growers in the Whitsunday region can lose significant percentage of their harvest in the form of “off-spec” fruit.
The fruit contains valuable compounds such as beta-carotene, supplements of which are regularly used in the global feed industry.
Nutricq, based in Proserpine in the Whitsunday region, is working to create capsicum-based supplemental products and thereby assist farmers to achieve more value from their harvest yield. The project seeks to make long-shelf-life products that can cater for the seasonal growth of fruit in the Whitsunday region.
Contact Information:
John Lockhart
Eco Barge is dedicated to transforming marine debris collected by passionate volunteers into valuable products, addressing the critical issue of marine pollution in the Greater Whitsunday Region. The Ocean Trash Recycle Shack project focuses on employing advanced recycling technologies to create a closed-loop system, maximising resource value and promoting sustainability. By processing and repurposing waste, Eco Barge aims to design out waste and pollution, circulate materials at their highest value, and protect the natural environment. This initiative not only enhances efforts in keeping our seas clean but also provides opportunities for skill development and program growth.
Contact Information:
Becca Machin
Mob: 0402 933 353
Nutricq has a processing plant in Proserpine in the Whitsunday region.
Supermarkets and other retailers generate substantial volumes of waste and much of this ends up in landfill. Rotting food generates methane one of the most harmful greenhouse gases.
Nutricq is creating food waste-derived feed products – seeking to preserve valuable mineral, vitamins and protein (from the waste) and re-cycling into the food chain.
Moisture is removed in the process – creating products that have good shelf life.
Contact Information:
John Lockhart
Traditional disposal methods for used tyres, like landfilling, have major environmental impacts. JMJ Tyre Recycling in Mackay, with a state-of-the-art tyre shredder, is partnering with CQU researchers to find a sustainable solution. The project aims to develop a circular business model by replacing conventional brick materials such as clay and sand with recycled crumb rubber. This innovation reduces resource extraction and production impacts. At the end of their lifecycle, the bricks can be recycled, replacing natural aggregates in civil construction and closing the loop. This approach not only reduces environmental harm but also fosters economic growth by creating a local market for recycled materials and green jobs.
Contact Information:
Dr Jay Sul – Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering | School of Engineering and Technology
CQUniversity Australia, Building 24, Boundary Road, Mackay QLD 4740
+61 7 4940 7557
This project, led by Dr Farzaneh Tahmoorian, aims to reduce the adverse environmental impacts by using locally sourced supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), specifically bagasse ash from sugarcane processing and red mud from alumina refining. Abundant in northern Queensland, these materials serve as sustainable alternatives to traditional SCMs. The project aims to enhance concrete durability, reduce permeability, and lower carbon footprints by incorporating these pozzolanic materials. The proposed project takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability by addressing waste management and resource optimisation in the concrete industry. With Dr. Tahmoorian and her team’s extensive experience in sustainable materials, this project is well-positioned to drive meaningful change in concrete production.
Contact Information:
Dr Farzaneh Tahmoorian , Senior Lecturer , School of Engineering and Tecnology, Central Queensland University
Ph: 07 4940 7879
This project introduces a transformative circular process to the Greater Whitsunday Region’s economy by integrating recycled glass into asphalt production, creating a closed-loop system for waste utilisation. Dr. Farzaneh Tahmoorian, an expert in road and pavement materials and manager of the CQU Pavement Lab, is leading this initiative. Her extensive experience in asphalt and other pavement material performance helps guide the integration of recycled glass into road infrastructure. In collaboration with Mackay Regional Council, the project addresses the region’s glass waste challenges and contributes to adopting more sustainable practices in road construction, reducing reliance on finite resources and minimising greenhouse gas emissions. This circular process not only tackles glass waste management but also creates opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
Contact Information:
Dr Farzaneh Tahmoorian , Senior Lecturer , School of Engineering and Tecnology, Central Queensland University
Ph: 07 4940 7879
