Our circular economy research provides innovative applied science to increase sustainable waste recovery for government, industry and communities.
Share
Accelerating the shift towards a global circular
economy
A circular economy promotes the continual use, recycling, and regeneration of materials and products. Resources are valued and products are designed for their durability, repairability, and recyclability.
Our research is focused on:
scientific knowledge to shift our economy from a linear to a circular mode
data and technologies to avoid waste, recover resources and add value to end-of-life materials
collaborations to develop circular economy markets and inform decision-making to support a national framework for a circular economy
A circular economy aims to sustainably reuse materials through reuse, repurposing,
recycling and remanufacturing.
Closing the loop as a circular economy reduces the amount of materials we extract from our lands and seas. It
designs out waste from the get-go, adds value to materials many times over, creates economic value and
conserves scarce natural resources.
Resources are valued and products are designed for their durability, repairability, and recyclability.
This approach eliminates waste and pollution, creates circular products and materials at their highest value, and reduces environmental impacts.
A linear economy is a take-make-dispose model. It depletes natural resources, generates waste, is costly, limits innovation, furthers social inequity and makes Australia less resilient.
Presently, the majority of all the raw materials we dig up or grow is processed, used once and thrown out. We generate over half a tonne of household waste, per person, per year. This linear economic model poses significant environmental and economic challenges.
Only 3.7 per cent of Australia's economy is ‘circular’. This provides a significant opportunity to increase waste recovery for economic growth, while reducing demand on natural resources. It is estimated that new circular products from waste resources could provide market opportunities with the potential of a $210 billion economic boost for Australia to 2050.
Australia is making the shift to a circular economy
Innovative science to support the transition
Australia’s National Waste Policy has a target of diverting 80 per cent of all waste from landfill by 2030. This strategy aims to boost Australia’s capacity to export high-value recycled materials to establish pathways towards a circular economy. A Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group has also been established to guide Australia’s transition to a more circular economy by 2030.
We are supporting Australia’s transition through multi-disciplinary research aligned with achieving Australia’s circular outcomes.
Multidisciplinary teams working on circular economy strategies and principles
Our leadership in innovation and sustainability is revolutionising how we manage our resources. We have multidisciplinary teams working on circular economy research - including social science - which can help protect the environment and propel Australia towards a circular economy.
Our circular economy research can support a range of sectors to become more sustainable and competitive through economic enablers. This includes energy, plastics, agriculture, manufacturing, and mineral resources.
By leveraging our research and cutting-edge technologies, together we can contribute to a more sustainable, circular economy in Australia. Our R&D capabilities can assist in delivering real-world solutions to minimise waste, conserve resources, and foster economic resilience.
Find out how we can work together to contribute to a more sustainable circular economy.
We have received your enquiry and will reply soon.
We're Sorry
The contact form is currently unavailable. Please try again later. If this problem persists, please call us with your enquiry on 1300 363 400 or +61 3 9545 2176. We are available from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm AEST Monday - Friday.
