Student Bloggers

This semester, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to intern as an Environmental Consultant with MRA Consulting, thanks to Arcadia Abroad. As someone passionate about both chemical engineering and sustainability, this internship has been the perfect way to explore the intersection of my interests while gaining valuable, hands-on experience in the field.

MRA Consulting is one of Australia's leading environmental consultancies, specializing in waste and recycling, circular economy strategies, and sustainability planning. They work closely with government bodies, businesses, and communities to develop solutions that reduce waste, improve recycling systems, and promote long-term environmental resilience.

As an intern on the Organics Team, I’ve been involved in a wide variety of meaningful projects. Our team focuses on organic waste management—including recycling, composting, and reuse—and I’ve had the chance to contribute to projects that address these topics from both technical and policy perspectives.

A typical day runs from 9 to 5 in the office, and every Monday kicks off with a team meeting where we align on weekly goals and project updates. From there, it’s been a whirlwind of research, data analysis, and real-world fieldwork.

One of my first tasks was helping to draft a waste management plan—an essential component for businesses and councils looking to reduce their environmental footprint. I also dove deep into international composting systems, analyzing compost quality requirements in countries like the UK, Germany, Austria, and Finland. This research helped inform our recommendations on compostable packaging and nutrient standards, and I even used tools like Google Maps to visualize and compare practices across regions.

Another major project involved research for a client interested in launching a new facility. I gathered data on gate fees for commercial and industrial waste from three different companies, allowing the client to compare pricing and make informed business decisions.

One of the most hands-on parts of the internship was working on Bin Trim Projects, which involved conducting visual waste audits at local food courts and businesses. Before heading out, I participated in safety briefings and background research on reusable product brands. Then, I visited businesses in person, conducted bin inspections, and entered data into the Bin Trim app to help develop tailored action plans. This experience helped me improve both my technical knowledge and my communication skills, especially when speaking with business owners and staff.

I also contributed to research for a client in the process of acquiring an organic waste company. I used data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics to estimate organic waste volumes across each Local Government Area (LGA) in New South Wales—essential information for evaluating potential investment opportunities.

Overall, this internship has been an incredible experience. It’s deepened my understanding of environmental consulting, given me hands-on skills in research and auditing, and confirmed my passion for sustainable waste management. As I continue on my path toward becoming a chemical engineering consultant, I know this experience will be a valuable foundation—and I’m so grateful to Arcadia and MRA for making it possible.