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Read the latest news from the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology
Following the Order of Australia awarded to Prof Veena , ABC News has published a news feature story and news video about UNSW SMaRT Centre's pioneering recycling and remanufacturing technologies as part of comprehensive coverage of the main award winners.
(see Veena and SMaRT from 1:48)
And below is an excerpt from a ABC News Online story:
Image caption: Emma Lee, Veena Sahajwalla and Laurie Lawrence have all been recognised in the 2025 Australia Day honours. (ABC News)
Professor Veena Sahajwalla AO
Turning trash to treasure, Veena Sahajwalla is being celebrated for revolutionising recycling.
The celebrated engineer and inventor launched the world's first e-waste micro factory in the remote town of Cootamundra in New South Wales, re-manufacturing valuable waste products from old laptops and mobile phones.
"We like to see waste as a resource," Professor Sahajwalla said.
"If it's meant to be a resource, then it should be all about putting it into re-manufacturing and making new products.
"It's good for the environment and good for the economy."
Veena Sahajwalla launched the first e-waste micro factory. (ABC News: Mridula Amin)
Professor Sahajwalla also invented a way to repurpose carbon in shredded tyres as an alternative to coking coal in steel production.
She has now been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her service to science and contributions to the waste management industry.
"This is such a crucial piece of work for Australia, for the planet," she said.
Research could "come to life" through industry partnerships, Professor Sahajwalla said.
"There are so many industries that are out there as our industry partners who want to be pioneering this work as practitioners, but also they are doing it because they care for the environment too," she said.
Professor Sahajwalla has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. (Supplied: Anna Kucera)