Director of Sustainable Materials Research & Technology, UNSW Sydney
As a leading expert in the field of recycling science, and founding Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research & Technology at UNSW, Professor Veena Sahajwalla is producing a new generation of green materials, products and resources made entirely, or primarily, from waste. Veena also heads the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for ‘green manufacturing’ – a leading national research centre that works in collaboration with industry to ensure new science is translated into real world environmental and economic benefits. Veena has been extensively recognised for the innovation and significance of her work, including via election to be a Fellow of the esteemed Australian Academy of Science.
Sustainability sells—right? Or is it just pricey PR? As brands ride the green economy wave, are they making real change or just ticking boxes? Professor Veena Sahajwalla flips the script on waste, revealing how trash is a goldmine of untapped resources. Then, our panel gets real: Does sustainability shape media buying, or does it crumble when budgets tighten? No greenwashing, no fluff—just the hard truths on what it takes to turn sustainability into success.