🏗️ New Journal Article on Plastic Waste in Construction! Plastic waste in construction is varied, complex, and often overlooked—but how much is being generated, and where can it go? Over the last four years, EIC have conducted a BRANZ-funded study, auditing the plastic waste of six new-build construction sites in Auckland. Key Findings: ✅ 7.2 tonnes of plastic waste audited ✅ 62% diverted from landfill through reuse or recycling ✅ On average, 0.61 kg of plastic generated per m² of construction ✅ Top contributors: Soft plastics (33%), PVC & HDPE pipes (22%), shrink wrap (12%), EPS (5%) ✅ When? The majority was generated in the final project stages By targeting soft plastics, pipes, shrink wrap, and polystyrene—particularly towards the finishing stages—we can reduce landfill waste and improve recycling rates. 📖 Read the full article here, published by MDPI: https://lnkd.in/ghAtdnNV Thank you to BRANZ and the Building Research Levy for supporting this research, and to all the sites for their hard work and dedication during the project. This wouldn't have been possible without you! This article was co-authored by Joanne Low, Samuel Berry, German Hernandez, Penelope (Penny) Thomson, Gregor Steinhorn, Harshal Waghela, Cole Briggs, Ciaran Berry and Terri-Ann Berry. Well done team! 😊 #EnvironmentalInnovationCentre #EIC #PlasticRecycling #SustainableConstruction #NZRecycling #CircularEconomy #WasteManagement
About us
We are an interdisciplinary team of professionals who are passionate about finding practical solutions for key environmental issues that impact our land, our people and our industries.
- Website
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www.environmental-innovation.nz
External link for Environmental Innovation Centre
- Industry
- Research Services
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- Auckland, AUK
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 2023
- Specialties
- Waste Assessment and Management, Sustainable Waste Management, and Indoor Air Quality
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
Auckland, AUK 0620, NZ
Employees at Environmental Innovation Centre
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Angela Hernandez
Accountant and Administrator
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Gregor Steinhorn
Research Partner - Enterprise at Unitec Institute of Technology and Sustainable Systems Advisor at Environmental Innovation Centre
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Harshal Waghela
Project Management | Chemical Engineer | MEPM
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Terri-Ann Berry
Co-Director, Environmental Innovation Centre & Associate Professor, Auckland University of Technology
Updates
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🏆 Exciting News! 🏆 We are proud to announce that Environmental Innovation Centre (EIC) has received the 2025 Asbestos Management Innovation Award from FAMANZ! 🎉 This recognition highlights our commitment to minimising waste and raising awareness about asbestos risks. Through WasteHub, we are helping homeowners and DIY enthusiasts make informed and safer decisions when dealing with construction and demolition waste. A huge thank you to FAMANZ for this honour and to our team for their dedication to driving sustainability and innovation in the construction sector. 🌱🏗️ #EnvironmentalInnovationCentre #EIC #WasteHub #ConstructionWaste #Sustainability #NZRecycling #Innovation #AsbestosAwareness
🚀 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗗𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶-𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆! (Accepted by Jason Milner) FAMANZ is proud to announce Terri-Ann Berry, Director of the Environmental Innovation Centre (EIC), as the recipient of the 2025 Active Environmental Solutions Innovation Award for Asbestos Management. This award recognises pioneering approaches that redefine industry standards and create safer, more sustainable asbestos management solutions. Terri-Ann and the EIC team have made a significant impact through their innovative work in waste minimisation and asbestos awareness. With support from the Plastic Innovation Fund, Marley, and WM New Zealand, EIC developed WasteHub, a free online resource designed to help the construction sector reduce landfill waste. Recognising a critical gap in asbestos education for homeowners and DIYers, EIC created engaging, solutions-based resources to: 🔹 Identify asbestos risks in homes 🔹 Guide homeowners on seeking expert advice 🔹 Promote safe handling and disposal of asbestos 🔹 Ensure information is relevant and accessible across NZ regions The project stands out for its broad and previously underserved audience, ensuring asbestos safety information reaches homeowners, DIYers, and small trade teams who may not typically engage with industry-focused messaging. With this award, EIC aims to expand collaborations with councils, building suppliers, and communities to further raise asbestos awareness where it’s needed most. 🎉 Congratulations, Terri-Ann and the EIC team! The 2025 Active Environmental Solutions Innovation Award was presented by Aleks Todorovic. FAMANZ thanks AES for their continued support of this award. #asbestos2025 #famanzconference #FAMANZ #asbestos #asbestosawareness #asbestosremoval #assea
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🔍 Exploring Solutions for Plastic Waste in Construction ♻️🏗️ We are excited to share a new research article co-authored by Penelope (Penny) Thomson, a valued member of our EIC team, addressing the challenges and opportunities for plastic waste recycling in New Zealand's construction industry. This study highlights key barriers—such as regulatory gaps, cost concerns, and lack of awareness—while also unveiling pathways to a more sustainable and circular approach to waste management. 🌱✨ At EIC, we are committed to driving innovation and fostering collaboration to create practical solutions for sustainability in construction. Read the full article here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gk-AaNZZ Let's work together to reduce waste, improve recycling, and build a more sustainable future! 💚 #EnvironmentalInnovationCentre #EIC #PlasticRecycling #SustainableConstruction #NZRecycling #CircularEconomy #WasteManagement
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🌍 Join Us at ASBESTOS 2025! 🏗️ We’re excited to announce that Terri-Ann Berry, Director of Environmental Innovation Centre (EIC), will be one of the speakers at ASBESTOS 2025 – the premier conference on asbestos management, remediation, and risk communication. 📅 Date: 17-19 March 2025 📍 Location: Rydges/QT Hotel, Queenstown, New Zealand With the theme "From Awareness to Action," this conference brings together international and local experts to discuss best practices, latest research, and innovative approaches in asbestos management. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, connect with industry leaders, and be part of the conversation shaping the future of asbestos safety. 🔗 Register now and secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/dzhihx76 #ASBESTOS2025 #FAMANZConference #FAMANZ #Sustainability #EnvironmentalInnovationCentre #EIC
𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗞𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗦𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗦 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱! 🎤 We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Terri-Ann Berry and Leonie Metcalfe as keynote speakers at the 2025 ASBESTOS Conference! Together, they will deliver a powerful joint presentation: "𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘀-𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 - 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗦𝗔𝗔 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁." This inspiring duo will share their experiences and insights from their work with the MSAA Trust, highlighting how we can collectively drive change and support those impacted by asbestos-related diseases. 𝗗𝗿. 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶-𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 is Co-founder and Chair of the Mesothelioma Support and Asbestos Awareness (MSAA) Trust, she is deeply committed to raising awareness and creating a vital support network for mesothelioma patients, their carers, and families. She is also Co-Director of the Environmental Innovation Centre and Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering at Auckland University of Technology. With over 20 years of expertise in Environmental Chemistry and Engineering, Terri-Ann focuses on managing risks associated with asbestos and contaminated soils. 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗳𝗲 brings a personal perspective to this mission. With over 50 years of nursing experience and her own journey navigating pleural mesothelioma since 2020, Leonie co-founded the MSAA Trust to raise awareness and support others facing asbestos-related diseases and is current Vice-Chair. Her passion for influencing policy and regulation is driven by a hope to protect future generations from asbestos exposure. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻! Register now to join us in Queenstown this March: https://lnkd.in/dzhihx76 The 2025 ASBESTOS Conference is proudly brought to you by FAMANZ. #asbestos2025 #famanzconference #FAMANZ #asbestos #asbestosawareness #asbestosremoval #assea
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🚀 Exciting news! EIC is thrilled to officially partner with WasteXpert™ to advance circular solutions in the construction sector. Our team, led by Dr. Terri-Ann Berry and Nigel Benton, brings decades of expertise in C&D waste management, and we look forward to collaborating on technical developments and industry projects across Aotearoa. Together, we're pushing boundaries to reduce waste and drive real impact! 🌱♻️ #EnvironmentalInnovationCentre #EIC #WasteXpert #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #ConstructionWaste #NZRecycling
WasteXpert™ is excited to announce a new partnership with the Environmental Innovation Centre (EIC), led by Co-founders and Directors Dr. Terri-Ann Berry and Nigel Benton. Uniting innovation, research, and environmental solutions, EIC is an impartial, independent and science-based consultancy based in Aotearoa New Zealand. With over two decades of combined experience in combating C&D waste, the team are well equipped to provide sound knowledge and advice in this space. Dr. Terri-Ann Berry , Co-Director of EIC says: “WasteXpert are new and exciting and we have been very impressed with their work so far. Diverting construction and demolition waste from landfill aligns with our own goals and we are confident that by joining forces, we can continue to push the envelope on how the industry approaches waste management, ultimately driving toward a circular economy.” Jean-Luc Ellis, Co-Founder of WasteXpert, added: “Our collaboration with EIC dates back to 2023, and formalising this partnership feels like a natural progression. EIC’s decades-long commitment to sustainability and their unique ability to bridge industry, government, and academia will be instrumental in advancing our combine work to reduce waste and promote circularity within the sector.” As part of this partnership, EIC will collaborate with WasteXpert on the technical development of their version two software platform and contribute to various other projects across Aotearoa. Nigel benton Gregor Steinhorn Penny Thomson Joanne Low Logan Soole Max Lawton
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♻️ Tackling Textile Waste: A Step Towards Circular Fashion 👕🌏 New Zealand's fashion industry generates an estimated 180,000 tonnes of clothing and textile waste each year. While this challenge is significant, some companies are finding fantastic solutions —and EIC is proud to be part of the movement! 💚 We’ve been working with Flo & Frankie 👗 who already reuse and reduce textile waste by repairing seconds and donating them 👚♻️. For their packaging waste, EIC has developed a waste recycling system that not only reduces plastic waste but also lowers carbon emissions and operational costs. Through our collaboration, the retailer has: ✅ Set up a soft plastics recycling system in its distribution warehouses 🛍️ ✅ Worked with suppliers to eliminate unnecessary plastic packaging 📦🚫 ✅ Recycled 260kg of soft plastics, cutting 486.2kg of CO₂ emissions annually 🌱🌍 Our director, Terri-Ann Berry, highlights that sustainability isn’t just good for the planet—it’s a smart business strategy. Addressing the waste hierarchy (preventing, reducing, reusing, and recycling) can cut costs and drive innovation in the retail sector. 💡💰 📖 Read the full article on The Post: https://lnkd.in/g3yD7PGN At EIC, we're committed to helping businesses transition towards a circular economy. If your organisation is looking to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and embrace sustainability, let’s talk! 🤝✨ #EnvironmentalInnovationCentre #EIC #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #TextileWaste #FashionRecycling #WasteReduction #PlasticsRecycling
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🌟 Start the year with a sustainable mindset! Our latest article in Building Today explores how to reduce plastic waste at every stage of construction, offering practical tips and innovative strategies to minimise environmental impact in 2024. Let’s make this year a step towards smarter, greener construction practices! 🌱🏗️ Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ghQScxXU #Sustainability #ConstructionWaste #WasteManagement #EnvironmentalInnovationCentre #EIC
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🌟 We are excited to share an outstanding contribution from our team! Joanne Low, German Hernandez and Terri-Ann Berry have published an article in Frontiers in Sustainability titled, "Plastic Waste Characterisation to Maximise Landfill Diversion from a Residential Construction Site in New Zealand". 🏗️♻️ As part of our BRANZ-funded study, we conducted a plastic waste audit at a single construction site—an 8-lot residential new build in New Lynn. The result - 66% of the plastic waste generated was successfully reused or recycled! 🏡♻️ Plastics accounted for just 3.2% of total waste by weight but ranked as the third-most generated waste type by volume, accounting for 13% of all waste. This underscores the need to address this waste stream, which can take up large volumes in landfills. Thanks to Nigel Benton, the team at Windsor Construction (Caleb Douglas) and Junk Run for all their hard work and collaboration on this project! 🔗 You can read the full article here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gZ4gmjhq 🌏 We hope this work inspires more people in the construction industry to tackle their plastic waste. While plastic waste solutions are more readily available in Auckland, efforts are expanding to reach other regions across New Zealand. We invite you to read it and share your thoughts! #EnvironmentalInnovationCentre #EIC #Sustainability #Construction #Innovation #WasteManagement #Recycling #Environment #NewZealand #FrontiersInSustainability
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🛠️ Bags and Tools for Managing Construction Waste – Discover Them on WasteHub 🛠️ Managing waste on construction sites can be challenging, but WasteHub is here to make it easier. 🚧♻️ What do we offer? 🛍️ Where to find specialist waste bags: Designed to simplify the sorting and transport of recyclables and waste materials. 🧰 Practical tools: Everything you need to optimise waste management and keep your site tidy and efficient. Why are these tools important? 🔹 Better organisation: Simplifies proper disposal of waste. 🔹 Increased efficiency: Reduces the time and resources needed for waste handling. 🔹 Promotes sustainability: Makes recycling easier and minimises environmental impact. These resources are designed with practicality and sustainability in mind, helping you reduce waste responsibly. 🌍💪 Want to know more? Visit https://lnkd.in/gxSi-f3w and discover how these solutions can make a difference to your project. 🚀 #WasteHub #ConstructionWaste #Sustainability #NZRecycling #EnvironmentalInnovationCentre #EIC
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🎥 Learn to Manage Construction Waste with Our Educational Videos on WasteHub 🎥 At WasteHub, we believe education is key to more sustainable construction. That’s why we’ve created a series of educational videos to help you manage construction waste efficiently and responsibly. 🌍🚧 What will you find in these videos? ✅ Practical tips to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials on-site. ✅ Step-by-step guides on how to sort and prepare waste for proper disposal. ✅ Plastic recycling techniques: Learn to identify and recycle different types of plastics. Our videos, produced in collaboration with WasteXpert™ and co-funded by Mitre 10 (New Zealand) Limited, Marley, WM New Zealand and MfE's Plastic Innovation Fund, are designed for simplicity and effectiveness. Whether you're an experienced builder or just starting out, these videos are a valuable resource! Explore the videos and more at WasteHub and join us on the path toward cleaner, more sustainable construction. 🌱💪 https://lnkd.in/gxSi-f3w #WasteHub #ConstructionWaste #Sustainability #NZRecycling #EnvironmentalInnovationCentre #EIC