Environmental improvements with supplies

Environmental improvements through working with suppliers

The devil is in the detail

Environmental sensitivities often compounded by remoteness make some of the environmental issues in Antarctica and the Southern Oceans unique to these regions. Resolution is often in the detailed planning and delivery of goods and services by the AAD.

For example did you know that:

Polystyrene beads and chips are prohibited in Antarctica? The ingestion of polystyrene fragments by petrels have lead to the death of birds and their chicks;
In the past, Australian Antarctic stations have been supplied 25 000 plastic containers per year of soft drink, fruit juice and cleaning products (8000+ per station) to satisfy normal consumer demands, an issue for waste management. Inappropriately stored waste easily becomes wind blown debris, and having excessive numbers of individual containers compounds the issue. The use of post-mix products has greatly reduced the number of containers and associated waste management issues;
Hiking gear such as gaiters, jackets, poles, bags in particular velcro are a biological hazard to subantarctic islands? If previously used elsewhere in the world, this gear is likely to be carrying seeds, other plant material and/or insects that could become a weed or a pest.

We have been working with suppliers to ensure goods are not supplied in polystyrene beads and chips and packaging is minimised.

This page was last modified on June 29, 2011.