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James Lancaster
Harnessing the Potential of Recycled Materials - A smart vision for a sustainable future
Veena will share her vision for a sustainable future, highlighting the importance of creating a circular economy and how using waste as a resource must be at the centre of our manufacturing future and innovative decarbonisation efforts, in collaboration between researchers and industry. She will highlight that using innovations such as UNSW SMaRT Centre's recycling and MICROfactorieTM technologies that recover valuable materials from waste and reform them into new manufacturing feedstock and products through collaborators, are central to help achieve the sustainability needed for the future.
About James:
James Lancaster is the founder and CEO of Renew IT, a sustainability-driven IT asset lifecycle company transforming how businesses manage end-of-life technology. With over 30 years in the industry, James has led Renew IT to become a recognised leader in circular economy innovation, helping organisations reduce e-waste and Scope 3 emissions through responsible reuse, secure data erasure, and advanced recycling. A passionate advocate for sustainable solutions, James has spearheaded the development of Australia's first e-waste Microfactorie in partnership with UNSW Sydney SMaRT Centre, transforming waste plastics into reusable manufacturing materials like 3D printer filament. His work bridges commercial performance with environmental responsibility, demonstrating how business and sustainability can go hand in hand. James regularly collaborates with corporate and government stakeholders to embed ESG principles into IT strategies and is committed to creating a more sustainable future through innovation, partnerships, and leadership in the circular economy.