Green Industries SA news – Autumn 2025
- GISA news
April 03, 2025
2025 started strongly for GISA. We proudly launched our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, marking an important step in our commitment to reconciliation and inclusion. Following a recent review, we've seen strong interest in our grant programs and will soon announce successful applicants.
Works on the River Murray flood clean-up are nearing completion, and we're advancing interim solutions for managing batteries and embedded battery products. We'll also be reaching out shortly seeking input on the draft statewide waste strategy for 2025–2030, guiding SA towards greater circularity.
Josh Wheeler, Chief Executive
Launch of GISA’s Reflect RAP
On 20 February, Green Industries SA launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
GISA staff and members of the GISA Board were joined by the Hon. Dr Susan Close MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, CEO of Reconciliation SA Jason Downs, Aunty Elaine Magias, Maureen and Naomi Humes-Hicks of Spirit in Unity, artist Karen Briggs, and other key stakeholders who have supported the agency on its reconciliation journey so far.
The launch of this Reflect RAP is an essential step that will help GISA to lead a just and inclusive transition to a circular economy in South Australia. GISA staff are dedicated to fostering and strengthening relationships with First Nations peoples, communities, and organisations through our work, and are committed to promoting Reconciliation with our stakeholders and playing an active role in addressing the wrongs of the past.
Watch the launch event highlights
Launch of GISA’s Reflect RAP
This artwork, designed by Karen Briggs for GISA, represents the transition into a circular economy by the cultural knowledge that First Nations people bring to the South Australian economy.
In the spirit of Reconciliation, GISA is committed to embedding new initiatives through partnerships, supporting procurement, and providing employment opportunities for recycling, repair, reuse, and remanufacturing to businesses that improve economic and social outcomes of First Nations peoples.
AIM grants now open
Assess-Implement-Monitor (AIM) grants help cover the cost of expert advice to assess a business’s environmental performance and provide recommendations and a business case for making operations more sustainable and circular.
Funding is available for businesses and not-for-profits to:
- assess materials circularity, waste management and resource efficiency, and/or scope 3 emissions and carbon reduction strategies
- implement recommendations made through an AIM grant-funded, independent and impartial assessment
- monitor progress and report on outcomes for continuous improvement.
Applications close 16 May 2025.
Textiles collection event
On Saturday 24 May, GISA will host its second annual textiles collection event. Following our successful textile recycling event last year that collected nearly 10 tonnes of textiles for recycling this year’s event is set to be bigger and better with even more locations available for South Australians to drop off linens for recycling. This year South Australians will also be encouraged to drop off unwanted high quality clothing and footwear for donating to local charities.
The SUPdate
From 1 September 2025, plastic produce stickers, plastic soy sauce fish containers, and single-use plastic drinking straws and cutlery attached to a food or beverage product will be banned from sale and distribution in South Australia.
Also from 1 September 2025, the ban on barrier bags will be extended to unpackaged dairy products, meat, poultry, or fish and seafood, and the bans on EPS will extend to include pre-packaged EPS containers.
Circular Impact Accelerator continues in 2025
GISA’s Circular Impact Accelerator, delivered by Collab4Good, commences this week, with 9 teams taking part in the 6-week program.
The accelerator program supports people with a circular economy idea who are ready to take further action to test, validate and clarify their concept, while also and gaining access to new networks, customers and investment to bring their idea to life.
Hear from the 2024 participants.
Which Bin Vin is back with a focus on food waste
Keep an eye on your screens – Which Bin is back again in 2025.
The Which Bin education program addresses the ongoing challenges experienced by the resource recovery and recycling industry regarding contamination in the kerbside 3-bin system, which is especially prevalent in the areas of food waste.
The upcoming campaign will place a focus on the how and the why of recycling household food and garden organics.
Sustainability in Distilling Resources Guide
With support through GISA’s Lead-Educate-Assist-Promote (LEAP) grants program, Distillers SA have released the Sustainability in Distilling Resources Guide and summary modules, that will serve as a pathway to improve sustainability across SA’s distillery sector.
The Board of Green Industries SA recently visited Orora’s glass production facility in Gawler and NAWMA’s MRF and fibre polishing plant in Edinburgh North – both funded in partnership by the South Australian and Australian governments, through the Recycling Modernisation Fund. Our board has a program to undertake more industry visits throughout the year.
Hearing firsthand from our stakeholders about challenges and opportunities provides important insights and strengthens partnerships across industry, government, and the community. The board are also looking ahead to delivering South Australia’s next 5-year strategy under our establishing legislation and building on this momentum with partners and stakeholders to accelerate the state’s transition to a circular economy.
Nikki Govan, Presiding Member
