Brisbane City Council has recognised those going above and beyond to help make Brisbane a clean, green and sustainable city, at the 2022 WasteSMART Brisbane Awards held at City Hall on 17 November.  

This year there were a record 397 nominations across nine award categories for individuals, community groups, schools, kindergartens and businesses who are making incredible efforts to minimise waste, create a circular economy and reduce landfill. 

An expert panel including members from Brisbane Sustainability Agency, IKEA, Containers for Change Queensland, Cleanaway and The University of Queensland judged the 31 finalists this year, with the exception of the WasteSMART People’s Choice Award which was voted on by the public with more than 3,700 votes cast. 

Councillor Kim Marx presented the Awards to the 12 winners on behalf of Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. 

The WasteSMART Brisbane Awards are proudly delivered by Brisbane Sustainability Agency and sponsored by IKEA, Containers for Change Queensland, Cleanaway and The University of Queensland. 

2022 WasteSMART Award winners

WasteSMART Councillors’ Choice Award 

Peter Garland won the award for collecting and recycling over 10,000 pairs of glasses to send to vulnerable communities in Australia and overseas through the Lion’s International’s Recycle for Sight program. 

WasteSMART Champions Award  

Danielle Munro of CircMed took out the Champions Award for her efforts diverting the healthcare sector’s used plastics from landfill and back into the circular economy.  

WasteSMART Community Awards sponsored by Containers for Change Queensland  

Stationery Aid were given one of the Community Awards for salvaging 16,320L of school stationery to assist disadvantaged students. 

Project Yumi also won a Community Award for diverting 70 tonnes of used quality resources such as desks, chairs, stationery, school shoes and mobility equipment from landfill to schools and health centres in Papua New Guinea. 

 WasteSMART Business Awards sponsored by Cleanaway 

eWaste CONNECTION Kenmore took out the Business Award for 19 or less employees, for recycling and repairing eWaste while providing work for people with disabilities. 

Circonomy (formerly known as World’s Biggest Garage Sale) won the Business Award for 20 or more  employees, for working with retailers to activate dormant or imperfect goods, so they can be sold for a purposeful profit instead of going to landfill. 

 WasteSMART Early Learning Award sponsored by IKEA North Lakes and Logan 

Prior Street Child Care and Development received the Early Learning Award for their dedication to a wide range of waste-smart, sustainable practices. 

WasteSMART Outstanding Award sponsored by IKEA North Lakes and Logan 

Tarragindi Community Garden won the award for their recycling and composting efforts as well as their new sustainability markets supporting local businesses. 

WasteSMART Schools Award sponsored by Containers for Change Queensland 

Windsor State School won one of the  Schools Awards for its student-driven, WASTE WARRIORS (Windsor’s Amazing Sustainable Team of Experts) work in waste reduction, recycling and sustainability.  

Mount Gravatt State High School received the other Schools Award for their Eco Club’s efforts to improve environmental outcomes.  

WasteSMART People’s Choice Award sponsored by The University of Queensland 

Mount Gravatt State High School also received the People’s Choice Award for garnering the most public votes. 

WasteSMART All-Star Award 

The newest WasteSMART Award went to Renae McBrien, who has previously won the WasteSMART Champion Award in 2020 and 2021. This year she was recognised for her ongoing commitment to designing out waste across Queensland hospitals, coordinating the diversion of over 490,000kg of waste from landfill in the past year alone, as well as her waste reduction and green initiatives in 11 community gardens including her local Tarragindi Community Garden where she has also established a recycling hub. 

The full list of winners and finalists can be found at www.wastesmartawards.com.au/winners

We thank our major sponsors IKEA and Containers for Change Queensland, as well as the University of Queensland and Cleanaway for their support of this year’s awards.

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