Ever-present environmental dangers such as natural resource depletion, pollution, e-waste generation, poor air, and water quality, ozone layer depletion, and many more continually threaten to bring the world to the brink of ecological disaster. In such a scenario, sustainably achieving economic development remains a persistent global problem. Striking a balance between economic development and ecological sustainability – that often appear to be at odds with each other – is at first glance a seemingly difficult task. However, the real-world application of sustainable environmental technology can serve as the game-changer in combating climate change while driving economic growth. The realisation of the immense potential of sustainable technologies to drive both ecological values and economic profits has predictably led to a spike in discussions on their widespread commercialisation.
Consequently, sustainability technology is generating much buzz from all quarters as it gradually makes its way into the commercial world from the world of ideas. However, the general view of innovative green solutions as merely amusing add-ons, coupled with vague terminology and abstract concepts surrounding sustainable development, leaves businesses and public organisations unable to recognise the scope of these technologies or properly articulate their sustainability needs. This often makes them overlook solutions that could put them at the forefront of facilitating a sustainable future while simultaneously enhancing their bottom lines and reputation by reducing any negative social and environmental impact.
This is where Syrinx packs in a powerful punch in the sustainability space. The Australian Blue-Green infrastructure and sustainability company provides novel research-backed sustainable technology solutions across industries. Syrinx realises clients’ environmental, economic, and social goals by employing an integrated sustainable design (ISD) paradigm that handles technical concerns and examines the local, social, regulatory, political, and economic contexts to ensure a streamlined ‘post-project existence’. With over two decades of experience developing green technology, Syrinx leverages its vast accumulated data on sustainable tech implementation to determine the right sustainable pathways for organisations and assuage their apprehensions regarding sustainable ventures. Alongside, Syrinx collaborates with groups and entities to demonstrate the feasibility, integrations, and scalability of sustainable technologies to clients. “We’re leaders with confidence, bravery, and insight into making sustainable differences and are prepared to take knowledge-based risks to achieve sustainable outcomes,” says Dr. Kathy Meney, Director/CEO of Syrinx.
A Power-Packed Blend of Research and Service Solutions
Equipped with a strong background in applied research in designing sustainable infrastructure, renowned systems ecologist Dr.Meney founded Syrinx as a multidisciplinary applied science and research firm intending to build a sustainable business innovation model. With an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and architects, Syrinx started working on ecological restoration, sustainable remediation, and sustainable design, eventually developing sustainable technologies and products.
Funding its research through its consultancy services, Syrinx helps accelerate sustainable technology adoption at scale with innovative research projects.
The kind of applied research we perform considering all the angles of a project, the future focus and the pragmatic mindset is what clients like us for
Applied Science with a Future Focus
Operating in the green infrastructure space, Syrinx’s product lines comprise software-based decision tools that allow the auditing, management and investment planning of green assets across different scales. Currently, in the MVP stage, this technology empowers clients to understand and build their blue-green infrastructure asset base to track and deliver climate mitigation, liveability and biodiversity benefits to their communities. Syrinx also has a passive, zero-waste circular economy wastewater treatment system called a Wetland-in-a-Box (EnphytoBox®) – a remotely deployable, containerised IIoT-based plant that uses plants and recyclable bio-absorbents made of plant-based fibre materials to treat the water. The system is designed for remediation of various polluted water supplies for reuse at mining sites, farming and regional communities. In addition, Syrinx stormwater treatment technology includes a demountable litter trap (DLT) designed to handle extreme stormwater events without obstructing water flows and avoid manual handling during maintenance.
What makes Syrinx stand out is the direct application of its research capabilities into the projects. With a team of inventive staff, Syrinx brings its well-researched innovative solutions to its clientele across different sectors such as government agencies, mining, and other industrial entities looking to integrate sustainable technologies into their development projects. Syrinx helps them clearly articulate their sustainability goals and gain clarity on the prospects of the projects by making them aware of the global sustainability trends and how they can unlock their projects’ potential. Syrinx also informs clients of their projects’ opportunities and constraints in the local context using relevant data and information gathered from trusted sources.
Leveraging their decision tools, Syrinx assists clients in successfully navigating the complexities around implementing environmentally sustainable projects without hampering the project outcomes.
Navigating Complexities in Sustainability Endeavours
To illustrate Syrinx in action, Dr Meney recounts a project they worked on in the city of Burnie in the Australian state of Tasmania. The project, which involved the implementation of a biological wetland and bio-filter system on top of a decommissioned landfill site, ran into a tussle with the authorities who opposed the discharge of the treated wastewater into a local waterway on legal grounds. Adopting a scientific approach to remedy the situation, Syrinx engaged in a series of consultations and risk-based assessments with the Tasmanian regulatory authorities to help their client successfully navigate the regulatory processes. The project, which won a national award, gained regulatory approval and massive appreciation from the client organisation and inspired similar endeavours across the state.
In another instance, Syrinx helped resolve a multi-stakeholder complexity that hindered sustainable decentralised technology adoption for water and power supplies in a small coastal town in Australia. The town was on the verge of a sudden population expansion owing to the establishment of a mine in the vicinity and lacked proper infrastructure to support the expected increase in population in a sustainable manner. This led the town’s conventional utilities providers to seek out Syrinx for designing the required infrastructure solution. However, its implementation reached a roadblock due to a lack of agreement amongst various local, mining, and government stakeholders. Syrinx helped all involved entities reach a consensus by developing a decision tool called the Sustainable Infrastructure Decision Model, which enabled the successful completion of the project.
Building upon these noteworthy successes, Syrinx is looking forward to growing commercially in the next five years by bringing to market more of its sustainable products that were hitherto developed for its research pursuits. Dr Meney credits this shift in focus to commercialising their existing technologies to the slowdown during COVID, which gave Syrinx the time and opportunity to develop and test its EnphytoBox® wetland-in-a-box product. The establishment of subsidiary companies and collaborations with interested stakeholders are also on Syrinx’s roadmap. “We’re looking for investors and partners who can help us scale our treatment technologies and decision tools, and increase our market penetration in the green, decarbonising economy,” she states. Syrinx is also on the lookout for investors with software and tech expertise to facilitate the growth of its subsidiaries.
To create a lasting sustainable impact, Syrinx plans to continue pushing its research and business endeavours to new heights in the coming days. “We have enough inspection and test plans to start rolling out commercially and grow the impact of these green technologies faster,” Dr Meney signs off.
