Edge Environment welcomed three new Edgers into the team in July. With diverse skillsets and experience this dynamic trio will be working across the waste and life cycle assessment fields.
James Logie
James recently returned to Australia after 3 years studying and working in Scandinavia. During this time he completed a MSc in Geography and Geoinformatics from the University of Copenhagen and gained work experience with a leading environmental consultancy specialising in life cycle assessment and enterprise sustainability reporting. He also holds a BSc majoring in Environmental and Society from the University of NSW.
James is currently busy with life cycle assessment work and sustainable infrastructure.
Blake Lindley
Blake graduated with honours in Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Sydney in 2011, undertaking in his final year, a benefit cost analysis of proposals for the establishment of National Park in an area otherwise utilised for low-grade rutile mining on North Stradbroke Island. Utilising his economic skill set, scientific background and familiarity with environmental policymaking, his research kindled an ongoing passion for utilising economy and policy tools to achieve real environmental outcomes.
Blake is leading Edge Environment’s 200 Stories project, working with 200 businesses across the Northern Beaches to reduce their waste going to landfill.
Gabi Adolphe
Gabi joined the Edge Environment team to bring an extra pair of hands to engage with 200 businesses on the Northern Beaches as part of the EPA Bin Trim program.
Gabi was very excited to visit Stewart House in Curl Curl this week and sign them up to the 200 Stories project. She remembers donating her clothing to the kids at Stewart House when she was younger and can now offer her services to educate the school to waste less and recycle more.
Gabi is also studying a Diploma of Sustainability, her major work is on sustainable behavioural change in a commercial environment which is timed impeccably with working on the 200 Stories project.
Below James, Blake and Gabi provide a few insights into their motivations and first impressions of Edge.
[expand title=”What motivates you to work in the sustainability space?”]
James: I have always had an appreciation for nature and believe that natural resources and environmental services are under-valued by society. I think that it is ultimately society that pays the price for negligent management of the environment. Working as a sustainability consultant allows me to constantly learn through researching and assessing environmental issues I feel are important for society to understand. Through my work I get to help clients better understand the value of environment services and the cost of environmental impacts. When working with industry and government institutions, the consequences of achieving even a small improvement in environmental outcomes can go a long way and gives a real satisfaction at the end of most days.
Gabi: Knowing that I will be influencing people and businesses to improve their waste management strategies. I am motivated to express my own values and ideas whilst working towards a more sustainable future.
Blake: I have always disliked wasting resources, and I think the application of this ethos to my professional life has always steered me toward the sustainability sector. While renewable energy and carbon often attracts a lot of attention, I see that there is so much to be done on an individual or business level influencing behaviours that will reduce consumption and overall impact on the environment.
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[expand title=”Why did you choose Edge Environment?”]
James: I chose Edge because of the reputation the company has for a thorough and scientifically based consulting service. More specifically, I wanted to work for Edge because of the expertise and experience in life cycle assessment (LCA) that is matched by few in the Asia Pacific Region (let alone Australia). There are not many companies where you can work across such a diverse range of sectors on such interesting projects.
Gabi: I chose edge environment for the innovative and highly passionate people who are the drivers behind Edge Environment that is at the forefront of sustainable change.
Blake: I have a strong scientific background and first contacted Edge (due to their expertise in Life Cycle Assessment) to collaborate on a research project I was completing with UNSW. Through this initial involvement with the company I was impressed by the scientific rigour of their work and the fantastic work environment – when the opportunity arose for me to take on a full time role with the company, I didn’t hesitate!
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[expand title=”What’s the most fascinating thing you’ve learnt since starting with Edge?”]
James: The most fascinating thing I have learnt since starting at Edge is that the use of LCA in Australia is far more prevalent than I had thought. The LCA work that makes it into the public sphere is only the tip of the ice berg. LCA is instead being used by companies to gain better knowledge into the environmental impacts of their production processes and supply chain. I think that more and more companies are wanting to avoid the risk of coming under scrutiny and criticism for causing environmental harm. To help this LCA is also being utilised in business to business communication to ensure sustainable procurement. With the advancement of environmental product declarations (EPDs) in Australia it is exciting to see business driving the demand for life cycle assessment of products and services.
Gabi: The most fascinating thing I’ve learnt since starting with Edge is that the main waste landfill site in Sydney will be completely full by 2018. After this all waste will be transported and disposed of in Goulburn which will entail a greater cost to dispose of general waste.
Blake: Since the beginning of Edge it has been fascinating to learn more about the emerging field of Industrial Ecology – reusing the waste stream from one industrial process as an input to another. Not only does it save resources but it just makes great business sense. Facilitating more of these relationships in industry will save costs, resources and the environment, win, win, win!
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