The project
Central Queensland University (CQU) engaged Ratio’s waste team to develop a waste management plan and reporting framework across their 14 regional and metropolitan locations nationwide. The project establishes a strategic pathway for CQU’s long-term transition to zero-waste campus operations and the adoption of circular economy principles.
The framework addresses the complex challenge of managing diverse waste streams across multiple campus locations with varying waste profiles, from everyday operational waste to specialised materials like electronics and hard-to-recycle items. It provides CQU with the tools and systems needed to track performance, improve diversion rates, monitor waste disposal costs, and embed sustainability into university operations.
Our work
We conducted baseline waste audits at four representative campuses (Rockhampton North, Gladstone Marina, Sydney, and Mackay) to establish a detailed understanding of CQU’s current waste footprint. This data informed our preliminary waste assessment, identifying waste generation patterns and resource recovery opportunities across the university network.
Our waste management plan established a comprehensive waste inventory and identified strategic opportunities to reduce waste generation, increase landfill diversion, and embed circular economy thinking into operations. Key recommendations included improving source separation, enhancing organic waste recovery, addressing and fostering campus-wide behaviour change programs.
We developed an implementation plan with clear priorities for organic waste diversion and improved infrastructure for managing complex waste types. The data collection and reporting framework establishes centralised systems to track performance across all campuses by integrating data from waste contractors and internal operations.
The strategy aligns with industry standards and emerging legislative requirements, positioning CQU to lead in resource recovery and sustainability performance.
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