When Lauderdale resident Melanie Conomikes was a kid, her Greek American father liked to have the most bins out in the neighbourhood on rubbish collection day. ‘He grew up very poor, so he saw it as a status symbol,’ she said. ‘It meant you entertained more, spent more money.’
Lauderdale resident receives Climate Champion award
Nowadays, Melanie aims to reduce waste. As an Environment and Sustainability Specialist for TasNetworks (the State-owned Company responsible for electricity transmission and distribution), she’s part of a team of nine making sure the organisation meets its environmental responsibilities.
Her primary focus is waste management, especially recycling. ‘We use three main waste contractors. One picks up our general rubbish and recycling statewide. We have another contractor who recycles the metals from old cables, conductors and cross-arms, and a third one for timber power poles.’
The organisation recycles anywhere between 800 to 1,000 poles a year. ‘They’re no longer structurally sound, and they can’t be used for firewood,’ said Melanie. ‘But big horse properties, for example, buy them for low rings and barriers.’
‘In 2024 we were a finalist in the Tamar Natural Resource Management (NRM) Sustainable Business Awards for that program. I got to meet Craig Reucassel and accept an award on behalf of the business. Recycling poles is a real team effort by crews in the field, depots and offices.’
Over the last year, Melanie has been updating the organisation’s waste management procedures. ‘We have over 30 different types of waste, and we’ve got a “guidebook” for crews and contractors on what needs to be done with them.’
TasNetworks manages critical infrastructure and follows strict rules and regulations. ‘We have a Waste Management Strategy that encourages people to think outside the square and say, “Wait a second, this isn’t just stuff we throw in the bin. What else can we do with it?”’
She gives the example of first aid kits. ‘We recently changed suppliers, and couldn’t use the existing kits and materials, so we donated them to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and the Tasmanian Wildlife Hospital in Forth Valley, who made them into personal first aid kits for their carers. Rural Alive and Well (RAW) took some too.’
TasNetworks is also leading the way in Tasmania by recycling safety helmets, which have a ‘use-by’ date.
Melanie’s dad would have been 100 this year, and she thinks he’d be proud of her and the job she does. ‘It’s fun, it’s challenging and it’s kind of exciting to look at what value waste might have,’ she said. ‘How can we reduce waste, extend the life of products, and keep things from ending up in landfill?’
Melanie Conomikes has been chosen by Clarence Climate Action as this month’s Climate Champion.
Eastern Shore Sun, November 2025, page 14