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WasteMINZ11 September 20262 min read

Alannah Gaspari: From Assessment to Reuse in Contaminated Materials

HeadshotAlannah Gaspari’s work at Repurpose It centres on a practical challenge within resource recovery: how to move materials from classification as waste to safe and compliant reuse. As an emerging professional, her contribution has focused on building the processes and confidence needed to make that transition possible at scale.

A key example is her management of treated clay materials. Gaspari has led this workstream end to end, coordinating sampling programmes, overseeing laboratory testing and compiling the data required for regulatory approvals. This process involves not only technical assessment but also ensuring that the information is robust, traceable and aligned with environmental and quality standards.

Her role extends beyond data collection into how that information is used. Gaspari has
translated complex analytical results into clear, practical outputs that can be applied by
operational teams on site. By working across environmental, geotechnical and operational functions, she has helped ensure that assessment results are understood and can inform decision-making in real time.

The outcome of this work is measurable. Through the structured assessment and approval of materials, approximately 150,000 cubic metres of clay are diverted from disposal each year and reused in construction and development applications. This reduces reliance on landfill while supporting the use of recovered materials within existing projects.

Gaspari’s approach relies on collaboration as much as technical delivery. She works closely with laboratories, consultants and internal teams to establish sampling approaches that meet both regulatory requirements and operational needs. Early engagement with stakeholders allows potential issues to be addressed before they affect project timelines, improving efficiency while maintaining compliance.

Her contribution also includes strengthening internal capability. She has developed and
refined procedures for sampling and analysis, supported training for colleagues and
created guidance materials that improve consistency and audit readiness. This focus on systems and knowledge sharing helps ensure that processes can be repeated across projects rather than developed from scratch each time.

Beyond project work, Gaspari is involved in industry engagement and community
outreach. She has participated in events and education programmes that explain how
materials can be recovered and reused, and contributes to discussions within professional networks to stay aligned with evolving standards and practices.

Across her work, there is a consistent emphasis on bridging the gap between technical
assessment and practical application. By combining detailed data analysis with clear
processes and collaboration, Gaspari’s work supports material reuse outcomes that are
both environmentally and operationally viable.

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