Australian and New Zealand Paired Kidney Exchange Is going gang busters at increasing the number of kidneys donated / transplant patients into people that need them. Last year was a record year with 1/5 of all living kidney donors came from this program. The program allows friends and family who want to donate a kidney to a loved one but aren't a good medical match, to be paired with others in the same situation. The exchange also accepts donations from altruistic donors.Here is a program doing real good for those with kidney disease requiring a transplant.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-27/australia-kidney-disease-donor-transplant/103488392?
The Inflation Reduction Act (Uncle IRA) in the USA is "a vast investment multiplier" for the renewables industry and Australia will be left behind if we don't adopt a similar scheme. Australian Treasury is considering a response to the IRA that would include tax benefits for renewables and energy transition projects. But we need it now - according Dr (Twiggy) Andrew Forrest.He is advocating: 1. Carbon emissions and global warming automatically be part of environmental assessments, 2. favourable status be given for renewable solutions and 3. a Carbon Solutions Levy to be applied.All good measures...
A 2023 start-up aiming to make recycling convenient and accessible to all is about to go national. The aim is to provide people with a home pick-up option for some of the "trickier" items the normal recycling bins can't handle - including soft plastics. https://wastemanagementreview.com.au/recyclesmart-goes-national/
Thomas Hirschhorn is a Swiss artist. Trained in
Zurich and inspired by Joseph Beuys and Andy Warhol. He has become known for
using everyday materials in the creation of complex large sculptures. Here he
uses- fiber-glass mannequins, metal nails, metal screws, plastic
base timber. It emits a shocking response. Once close to the piece the viewer is
greatly affected both it physically and mentally. The feeling of pain, harm and
suffering is evoked. After the initial reaction of harm, the viewer may turn to
analysing the work, in which may lead them to self reflection, on ones current
life situation.
Soft plastics recycling returned to 12 Melbourne suburbs in February this year (2024) as
part of a trial to rebuild a national soft plastics recycling system It involves 5 Woolworths, 5 Coles and 2 Aldi Supermarkets in Victoria. Much like the original (failed) REDcycle scheme, the new trial has identified potential end markets for used soft plastic - an additive for asphalt roads, a replacement for
aggregate in concrete, or a material for making shopping trolleys and
baskets. However, to be successful, the scheme must be
cost-effective and suitably located, with established markets for the
recycled products.https://wastemanagementreview.com.au/soft-plastics-recycling-trial-starts-in-12-melbourne-suburbs/
