With the transition to a circular economy underway, waste can be recovered and reused by creating resource pathways and technical innovations. Sustainable waste management will see materials kept in use as opposed to being sent to landfill or polluting nature. Understanding what is in our waste is essential to ensuring safe circularity, to make sure chemicals of concern are effectively managed. The circular transition also requires a better understanding of how waste flows through society. The Hub is focused on driving impact for material streams including end-of-life plastics, tyres and rubber.
Challenge
Our current linear economy (which involves extraction, use and disposal of resources) sees important materials going to waste. Conserving natural resources relies on creating pathways and solutions to ensure these materials stay in circularity, so that these materials do not have to be extracted from nature to improve conservation outcomes. Interventions are required at various stages of a product’s life cycle, from design to end-of-life, to ensure the materials in it can remain in circulation, for as long as practicable.
Why Waste & Circular Economy?
The recently published ISO 59004 advocates for a circular economy model by emphasising the sustainable management and renewal of natural resources. Australia's circular economy transition requires research, guidance and stakeholder engagement. The Hub is using this lens to develop outputs that will support technical, non-technical, policy, community and Indigenous practitioners.
How is the Hub driving impact?
The Hub is working to drive impact in the Waste & Circular Economy space in a variety of ways:
- Filling knowledge gaps: researching circular pathway interventions for end-of-life plastics, tyres and rubber
- Equitable transition: helping ensure the circular transition is supported in regional and remote areas that may not have the same options available as urban locations.
- Systems-focus: assisting in the development of systems to create value-added products from recovered resources.
- Safe circularity: providing an evidence base for safe circularity to ensure chemicals of concern are managed effectively.
- Science to policy: translating complex science for policy makers to assist in the creation of evidence-based policy, which provides clarity to business and community on how we can all support a safer circular economy.
Waste & Circular Economy - Research Projects:
IP2.02.01 Understanding microplastics
Understanding where microplastics come from, how they move through the environment and how to reduce their impact.
IP2.02.02 Finding fit for purpose technological recycling solutions for regional and remote communities
across Australia
Supporting local councils and industries in developing practical circular economy opportunities for managing waste more effectively.
IP3.02.01 Quantifying mass and potential release of chemicals of potential concern in our wastes and
recovered resource
Practical solutions for policymakers, industry and researchers to reduce risks and support effective regulation of material reuse in the circular economy.
IP5.04.01 Metrics, data and indicators for material flow and stocks, waste and emissions to monitor progress of Australia’s circular economy transition
Developing metrics and data tools to measure Australia’s progress.
IP5.02.02 (Completed) Exploring opportunities for increasing value recovery from used tyres and conveyor belts in WA
Understanding what’s needed to scale circular economy solutions, with a focus on tyre recovery.
IP5.02.03 Governing community-based waste management and resource recovery and circular economy
initiatives
Exploring how to better support circular economy initiatives in regional and remote Australia through place-based approaches.
IP5.02.04 Identifying opportunities from waste management and resource recovery and the circular economy for Indigenous communities and businesses
Supporting Indigenous businesses and communities to engage in the circular economy.
