Griffith University has been recognised by the United Nations as an expert in waste management.
The UN has shown the university is one of the top in Australia in this area, hosting a workshop on waste management at the Nathan campus in a first for Queensland.
A 15-member Vietnamese delegation from the country’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment attended the workshop, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), looked at ways to encourage the private sector investing in the country.
The workshop was conducted by Dr Sunil Herat, Senior Lecturer in Waste Management, who provides training in Municipal Solid Waste Management, Hazardous Waste Management and Cleaner Production & Eco-efficiency, with a special emphasis on developing and emerging nations.
Dr.Herat is a member of the Expert Subsidiary Group of United Nations Regional 3R Forum for Asia and Pacific providing his expertise on sustainable management of electronic waste (e-waste).
“Waste management is a major problem in developing countries like Vietnam and the public sector has trouble funding this,” he said.
“The recycling rate is quite low because there is no system to separate waste. The collection of waste is very poor, you can see waste lining streets. They also have very high rainfall so coupled with that you have an environment for breeding mosquitoes and other health issues.
“The United Nations have recognised Griffith as the top university in Australia for this.”