Translating Global Knowledge on Industrial Ecology to Enhance Uptake of Metals Recycling in an Australian Context

摘要

Australia's rich stocks of mineral resources have been the source of national wealth and competitive advantage in the past. However, the security of this wealth is not guaranteed into the future, and what were once considered waste materials are now becoming accessible and valuable as 'above-ground' mineral resources. Globally there is growing capacity and innovation in recycling, closed-loop supply chains and Australia's role as a global leader in primary production must anticipate and adapt to the implications of a rise in the importance of recycling. This paper presents the initial outcomes from a major collaborative research project ('Wealth from Waste' Cluster), funded by the CSIRO Flagship Collaboration Fund, focused on identifying viable options to 'mine' metals contained in discarded manufactured products and consumer goods. More specifically the paper investigates the potential of wealth from metal waste in Australia, and discusses the institutional and other non-technical barriers and enablers for existing and emerging recycling systems.