Soft plastic recycling is back after the REDcycle collapse – but only in 12 supermarkets. Will it work this time?

By Anya Phelan, Griffith University After the memorable collapse of Australia’s largest soft plastic recycling program REDcycle in late 2022, a new scheme is emerging. It’s remarkably similar, albeit on a much smaller scale. The trial underway in 12 Melbourne supermarkets intends, once again, to provide customers with an in-store option for recycling “scrunchable” food…

UQ team develops potential prevention and cure for invasive fungal disease in plants

New research from a University of Queensland team published in Communications Biology shows a promising treatment for myrtle rust, using engineered RNA and applied to crops through an environmentally-friendly spray. According to a statement from UQ, Mitter Lab researchers Professor Neena Mitter, PhD candidate Rebecca Degnan and Dr Anne Sawyer found that both infection in…

ANSTO’s $13.9 million to advance critical minerals processing

Processing of rare earth elements will be a key area of focus for the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s Minerals unit following a $13.9 million funding allocation under the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub. The Minister for Resources and Minister Madeleine King announced the funding for a research project to accelerate the…

AIM Defence chosen for Canadian counter-drone exercise

Directed energy and artificial intelligence company AIM Defence has been chosen by the government of Canada to demonstrate its laser system in an international counter-drone exercise beginning in May.   In a statement on Tuesday, AIM – which bills itself the creator of Australia’s first laser-based counter-drone system – said its Fractl high-power laser system will…