In this member spotlight, we talk to Alyesha Candy, Technical Supervisor at Scion, who is passionate about adding value to waste streams (mostly organic waste from food sectors) and diverting them from landfill by using them to make biobased products.
"With the huge array of microorganisms out there, almost every organic waste stream can be used to make an interesting product like biodegradable plastics, biofuel, or even nutritional supplements. The trick is making it profitable!"
Tell us about your organisation
Scion is a Crown research institute that specialises in research, science and technology development for the forestry, wood product, wood-derived materials, and other biomaterial sectors.
As New Zealand’s leading institute in forestry, industrial biotechnology and advanced manufacturing we drive innovation and growth to create economic value and contribute to beneficial environmental and social outcomes.Why did you want to join WasteMINZ?
To meet others working in the waste industry and create opportunities to collaborate with people and companies who produce interesting waste streams.
What topic/issue are you most passionate about when it comes to waste, resource recovery or contaminated land?
I am passionate about adding value to waste streams (mostly organic waste from food sectors) and diverting them from landfill by using them to make biobased products.
My research focuses on using waste as a feedstock for industrial fermentation. With the huge array of microorganisms out there, almost every organic waste stream can be used to make an interesting product like biodegradable plastics, biofuel, or even nutritional supplements. The trick is making it profitable!What are you reading or listening to right now?
Currently I’m reading The Wager by David Grann. A true story about a doomed voyage in the 1700s of a British warship sent to raid a Spanish ship carrying treasure and learn their trade secrets. It’s wild reading about the level of hardship back in the day when things like navigation and knowing how to stop scurvy could be better...
Describe your perfect day outside of work.
Spending the day outside adventuring with friends whether boating, mountain biking, mountaineering, tramping, or playing Ultimate Frisbee, I’m not too fussy!
