FWR 2024 will be a forum for the exchange of ideas and discussion around key industry issues. Presentations and sessions will provide information about how business, with sound government policy, can deliver improvements to the State’s waste diversion and resource recovery growth in line with community expectations and industry aspirations.
The program will capture four prominent themes relevant to all stakeholders with interests in the waste and recycling industry. It will look to the future by demonstrating what is currently being achieved and what is next on the horizon. The program will boast presentations by industry leaders and innovators, panel discussions and four themed streams focused on the significant issues impacting the industry now and beyond.
The trade exhibition will complement the program by providing an opportunity for delegates to meet with suppliers and discuss the latest industry developments and innovations. All meal breaks will be served within the exhibition area to maximise interaction between delegates and exhibitors.
The Welcome Function and Gala Awards Dinner will also provide an excellent opportunity to gain important industry and government contacts.
PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
Click here to download the preliminary program in PDF format
Wednesday 12th February 2025
| 900 | Technical Tour Registration |
| TECHNICAL TOUR | |
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Attendees should assemble in the foyer of the Sea World Resort at 9.00am for a 9.30am sharp departure. The bus will return by approximately 4.30pm. All participants are required to wear long pants and enclosed, flat shoes. Phoenix Power Recyclers Phoenix is continuously working to develop markets in all sectors including the agricultural community, through market education strategy forming partnerships with waste producers from the food production industries to develop products that are in increasing demand for the health of agricultural soils. Bunya Renewable Hybrid Project Site three to be advised |
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| 1630 | Tour returns |
| 1800 | Networking Function |
Thursday 13th February 2025
| 0800 | Registration, tea and coffee |
| OPENING PLENARY | |
| 0900 | Welcome and housekeeping Alison Price, CEO – Waste, Recycling Industry QLD |
| 0910 | Official Welcome Richard Taylor, Chair – Waste, Recycling Industry QLD |
| 0920 | Opening Address The Hon. Grace Grace MP, Minister for State Development and Infrastructure (invited) |
| 0930 | Symposium Format Alison Price, CEO – Waste, Recycling Industry QLD |
| 0940 | KEYNOTE PRESENTATION Speaker to be advised |
| 1010 | Questions and discussion |
| 1030 | Morning tea break |
| BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR QUEENSLAND – PART I | |
| 1100 | In these two sessions, we will explore strategies to achieve better outcomes for Queensland by adopting innovative approaches in state and local government and business practices. We will specifically focus actionable insights and strategies to drive positive change in Queensland’s waste management sector, improve government-business relations, and promote sustainable practices that will benefit our environment and our communities. |
| Presentation title to be advised Department of Environment, Science and Innovation |
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| Gold Coast’s Journey to Zero Landfill – Advanced Resource Recovery Centre Grant Gabriel, Program Director, ARRC Environment, Heritage and Resilience – City of Gold Coast |
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| Contracts from a planning and environment lawyer’s perspective Leanne O’Brien, Special Counsel – Corrs Chambers Westgarth |
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| Panel and open discussion | |
| 1230 | Lunch |
| BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR QUEENSLAND – PART II | |
| 1330 | Presentation title to be advised Jason Lange, Director – Atlas Soils |
| Presentation title to be advised Speaker to be advised |
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| Presentation title to be advised Speaker to be advised |
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| Panel and open discussion | |
| 1500 | Afternoon tea break |
| ADDRESSING THE LITHIUM BATTERY CRISIS | |
| 1530 | Lithium batteries have become essential power sources in numerous devices, from smartphones to electric vehicles. However, their widespread use has led to a growing issues and concerns regarding their safe disposal and the impact on the environment. This session aims to discuss key solutions to the lithium battery crisis, including potential strategies for addressing lithium battery waste, challenges in implementing these solutions, and the expected impact of proposed strategies. |
| Presentation title to be advised Andrew Connor, Executive Director, Office of Circular Economy – Department of Environment, Science and Innovation |
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| Silent Sparks: Battery fire risks in waste and recycling Brett Lemin, Executive Director – Waste Contractors & Recyclers Association of NSW |
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| Second life batteries Andrew Chadwick, CEO – Sustainable Lithium Cells Australia |
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| Panel and open discussion | |
| 1700 | Close Day 2 |
| 1900 | Gala Awards Dinner |
Friday 14th February 2025
| 0900 | Registration, tea and coffee |
| QUEENSLAND’S PATH TO WASTE & RECYCLING INNOVATION – PART I | |
| 0915 | These two sessions will focus on the current challenges and systemic issues that are hindering progress the waste and recycling sector, as well as discussing what changes are necessary to prepare for a circular future. The sessions will also explore how to better utilise levy funding to drive waste recycling innovation in the state. |
| KEYNOTE PRESENTATION Sam O’Connor MP, Shadow Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef |
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| Presentation title to be advised Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning |
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| Australia and Queensland Recovery Targets – Achievable or fanciful policy spin? Rick Ralph, CEO – National Waste and Recycling Industry Council |
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| Presentation title to be advised Daniel Blaser, General Manager – Rino Recycling |
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| Panel and open discussion | |
| 1030 | Morning tea break |
| QUEENSLAND’S PATH TO WASTE & RECYCLING INNOVATION – PART II | |
| 1100 | Revolutionising Waste Management – A mindset for innovative solutions David Wrenn, Executive Manager – Hazardous Resource Recovery Group |
| Does the Queensland Waste Levy need to be higher? Nick Behrens, Director – Queensland Economics Advocacy Solutions |
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| Innovation can be easy, managing compliance…now that can be difficult Mike Haywood, GM Fuels and Sustainable Energy – Verdant Earth Technologies |
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| Panel and open discussion | |
| 1200 | Lunch |
| RAISING THE BAR: ACHIEVING AN 80% RECYCLING RATE IN QUEENSLAND | |
| 1300 |
This panel discussion will focus on strategies to increase the recycling rate from 20% to 80% in Queensland, while addressing challenges related to producing safe recycled products amidst the presence of emerging contaminants such as PFAS, microplastics, asbestos, and engineered stone benchtops. WRIQ board members and other industry experts will share their vision for a sustainable future with the outcomes of the discussion to be the formation of a priority list and plan for effective waste management and recycling in Queensland. Panelists include: |
| 1500 | Conference Close |
* Every effort has been made to present all the information contained in this website as accurately as possible. The organisers reserve the right to change, without notice, any or all of these details.
