Dr Tony Wilkins has been hired as executive director, environment, for newspaper media advocacy group NewsMediaWorks.
NewsMediaWorks says Wilkins will be responsible for representing and advising the news media industry on product stewardship and environmental issues, responsibilities and commitments.
Wilkins joins NewsMediaWorks from News Corp, where he had been head of environment since 1990. He is also chair of the NewsMediaWorks Environment Advisory Group, which was established in 2012 to continue the work of the Publishers National Environment Bureau.
Peter Miller, CEO, NewsMediaWorks says, “We are thrilled Tony is joining us to continue NewsMediaWorks’ role in championing our industry’s impressive track record in sustainability and environmental responsibility. Australia’s newspaper recycling rate is 77 per cent, positioning us as one of the world’s leaders in print media recycling.
“His credentials are unparalleled. His expertise and experience leading our industry’s approach to the environment have been gained at a time when sustainability has moved to the fore of business responsibility, so he is the ideal person for this role and we welcome him warmly.”
Prior to joining News Corp, Wilkins was a scientist in medical and forest research for 12 years. At News Corp, Wilkins’ role focussed on product stewardship and developing and leading the organisation’s environmental strategy.
Wilkins assisted in the establishment of Australia’s newspaper recycling plant, which raised the country’s newspaper recycling rate to one of the world’s best. He also led the creation of the award-winning News Corp Environment Sustainability initiative 1 Degree, and chairs the NSW Environment Trust’s Community & Recycling subcommittee, as well as sitting on its Waste & Recycling subcommittee, and as convening the Corporate Environment Managers Group.
Wilkins says, “Having spent the majority of my career championing the news media industry’s approach to environmental responsibility, I am excited to be joining NewsMediaWorks to work with Peter and the team. NewsMediaWorks’ role in overseeing the industry’s approach to the environment and sustainability best practice is an important one and I’ll be working passionately to continue its good work.”
NewsMediaWorks’ environmental remit includes championing newspaper recycling and developing programs to keep newspapers out of landfill, which currently make up only 1 per cent of waste going to metropolitan landfills. This includes developing ‘Zero Waste’ goals for publishers, and already the majority of Australian publishers meet the International Business Alliance’s standard. It also works to reduce the industry’s greenhouse emissions, working towards an annual reduction in emissions of 4 per cent, in line with global scientific goals under the Paris Accord.
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