The Conversation

Both short- and long-term solutions are needed to solve Australia's recycling crisis. State and federal ministers are pursuing some promising avenues, but they need to cast the net much wider. Monique Retamal, Research Principal, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Elsa Dominish, Senior Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Jenni Downes, Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Nick Florin, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A toxic chemical produced by algae and linked to motor neuron disease has been detected in NSW rivers. Its presence - long suspected but now confirmed - could be linked to a disease hotspot in the Riverina. Brendan Main, PhD Candidate, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Under a new target, 100% of Australian packaging will be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2025. But this is not enough - we also need to ensure that recyclable materials are actually recycled. Atiq Zaman, Lecturer, Curtin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Warnings that a tide of electric vehicles will cut Australia's tax income put the cart well before the (low-emissions) horse. Anna Mortimore, Lecturer, Griffith Business School, Griffith University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A US$1.6 billion dollar dam in Sumatra threatens the recently discovered and desperately imperilled Tapanuli Orangutan. Bill Laurance, Distinguished Research Professor and Australian Laureate, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The shareholder resolution on climate change at Rio Tinto's AGM is another indication of how much investor culture is tilting towards demanding that companies take a responsible climate stance. Anita Foerster, Senior Research Fellow, University of Melbourne Jacqueline Peel, Professor of Environmental and Climate Law, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The federal government's new $500 million funding package for the Great Barrier Reef seems predominantly focused on the tactics that are already being tried, without much success. Jon Brodie, Professorial Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia has always suffered heat and flood, but a detailed seasonal rainfall reconstruction of the last 800 years shows the extremes are intensifying. Mandy Freund, PhD student, University of Melbourne Ben Henley, Research Fellow in Climate and Water Resources, University of Melbourne Kathryn Allen, Academic, Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne Patrick Baker, ARC Future Fellow and Professor of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Rat baits are widely used to keep rodent pests at bay. But many Australian reptiles are resistant to the poison, potentially spreading these deadly compounds up the food chain. Michael Lohr, PhD Student - Wildlife Ecology, Edith Cowan University Robert Davis, Senior Lecturer in Vertebrate Biology, Edith Cowan University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The Murray-Darling Basin Plan has been politically fraught and mired in scandal. But environmental monitoring suggests that the health of the rivers is indeed improving - even if it will take decades. Angus Webb, Senior Lecturer and quantitative ecologist, University of Melbourne Darren Ryder, Professor of Aquatic Ecology and Restoration, University of New England Fiona Dyer, Associate professor, University of Canberra Michael Stewardson, Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources, Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne Mike Grace, Associate Professor, Monash University Nick Bond, Professor, La Trobe University Paul Frazier, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, University of New England Qifeng Ye, Principal Scientist, Inland Waters and Catchment Ecology Program Rick Stoffels, Senior Scientist, CSIRO Robyn J Watts, Professor of Ecology, Charles Sturt University Samantha Capon, Research Fellow in Ecology, Griffith University Skye Wassens, Associate Professor in Ecology, Charles Sturt University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Endangered bandicoots have been found in the outskirts of Melbourne. Euan Ritchie, Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Sarah Maclagan, PhD candidate, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The puffer jacket has become an iconic staple of many people's winter wardrobe. Here are some ways to shop for yours in the most eco-friendly and ethical way. Alice Payne, Senior lecturer in Fashion, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Scientists have been naming species after well-known people since the 18th century, often in a bid for publicity. But the issue deserves attention – 400,000 Australian species are yet to be described. Kevin Thiele, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, University of Western Australia Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

China new cleanliness standards for the recyclable materials it imports are so stringent that they are tantamount to a total ban. Australian councils are now in crisis mode as the rubbish piles up. Jenni Downes, Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Trees evolved many times around the world. Greg Jordan, Associate Professor, University of Tasmania Matilda Brown, PhD, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Research into Queensland's Darling Downs area has found social stress caused by housing pressure, population shifts and the 'two-speed economy' of coal seam gas. Will Rifkin, Chair in Applied Regional Economics and Director, Hunter Research Foundation Centre, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Dingoes increase cattle yields, mountain lions reduce car crashes and vultures eat organic waste: like them or not, predators help humans. Christopher O'Bryan, PhD Candidate, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland Eve McDonald-Madden, Senior lecturer, The University of Queensland James Watson, Professor, The University of Queensland Neil Carter, Assistant Professor, College of Innovation and Design, Boise State University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The federal government is confident that states will sign up to the National Energy Guarantee, with a final decision now timetabled for August. Michael Hopkin, Section Editor: Energy + Environment, The Conversation Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We all know that tap water is better than buying bottled water, from an environmental standpoint at least. But what should you drink it out of? A single-use bottle, used multiple times, might be best. Trevor Thornton, Lecturer, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Simon Lockrey, Research Fellow, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Ipswich Council has stopped recycling and it's likely that others around Australia will follow suit. Ian A. MacKenzie, Senior Lecturer in Economics, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.