Waste initiatives
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Sweet opportunity for Australian exotic mushroom growers
Queensland’s sugar cane industry already produces around 95% of Australia’s sugar – but thanks to a new collaboration facilitated by CSIRO, it’s also fertile ground for home-grown exotic Asian mushrooms.
![3. Sebstainable Directors Tawab Frahmand and Vladimir Finn](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Sebstainable.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Solving the polystyrene problem with science
Our scientists are working on a ground-breaking portable device to upcycle polystyrene into high-value raw materials with zero waste.
![Tops of cooling towers of atomic power plant. Image by Shutterstock.](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/shutterstock_137593487-1024x682-1-e1676948647219.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Radioactive waste isn’t going away. We’ve found a new way to trap it in minerals for long-term storage
Our new and safer way to capture and store radioactive waste can be applied world-wide
![FABtec samples laid out ready for testing by CSIRO scientists’](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/04-FABtec-samples-jpg.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Helping a start-up to transform fabric into furniture
An Australian start-up has enlisted the expertise of CSIRO to test and improve their recipe for turning the fabric from faded old uniforms into pieces of furniture.
![meal worm burrowing through plastic](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/meal-worm-ldpe-1F4A3048.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Could insect digestion solve the waste crisis?
CSIRO researchers are peering into the digestive processes of insects to see what happens when they are exposed to plastics. Do insects consume plastic or is something else going on?
![volunteers by a lake](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Volunteers-at-Windermere-Bay-3-web.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Plastic pollution: how much is there?
Scientists and the Australian community are on the hunt for rubbish as part of a national plastic pollution survey. They’ve captured data on more than 270,000 items of rubbish so far. You can help too!
![photo of waterway in Indonesia with lots of rubbish and the same area in the background cleaned up](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/marine-debris-waterway-in-indonesia-Kompas-Wawan-H-Prabowo.jpg?resize=385%2C231&ssl=1)
Casting a global net to solve the plastic problem
CSIRO is working with Indonesia and other regional partners where COVID has exacerbated the plastic pollution issue.
![biodegradable straws](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/bio-straws.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Are bio-derived plastics the solution to plastic pollution?
Do you know your biodegradable from your compostable plastics? We give you the rundown on plastic packaging alternatives and their eco credentials.
![Tractor in field harvesting carrots. Image by Kagome](https://i0.wp.com/ecos.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/carrpots-being-harvested.-credit-Kagome.jpg?resize=385%2C256&ssl=1)
Fighting food waste one carrot at a time
It's a case of down the hatch instead of down the drain for carrot pulp thanks to a new way of using it for burger patties.