In this episode of Conversation in Sustainability, we speak with Professor Veena Sahajwalla, SMaRT Centre, UNSW, explores how innovative recycling technologies are transforming the way society thinks about waste. Rather than viewing discarded materials as useless, Professor Sahajwalla emphasises that waste should be understood as a valuable resource that can be reprocessed into new, high-quality products. The discussion highlights the work of the UNSW SMaRT Centre in pioneering “green tiles” and MICROfactories, which break down complex waste streams, such as electronic waste, into their core components and remake them into useful materials like advanced manufacturing inputs. 

The episode underscores the importance of collaboration between scientists, engineers, and industry partners to scale these solutions and create sustainable supply chains. Positioning Australia as a leader in the transition toward a circular economy, where materials are continuously reused and repurposed rather than discarded. Through this lens, recycling becomes not just an environmental necessity, but an opportunity for innovation, economic growth, and global impact.