The Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub’s commitment to supporting circular economies in regional and remote communities was showcased at the 2025 Western Cape Futures Symposium, held in Weipa this May.
Hub leader, Prof Veena Sahajwalla AO, was invited to take part in the symposium and offer a circular economy lens to the event. She presented Hub research into fit-for-purpose recycling solutions and pioneering waste innovation technologies. These solutions offer scalable, decentralised approaches to recycling that can turn local waste into materials for remanufacturing.
In regions like Western Cape York, where traditional waste and recycling infrastructure is limited, this approach has real-world potential. It not only reduces environmental pressures but supports new economic and employment opportunities by enabling localised, resource-smart systems.
Events like the Western Cape Futures Symposium provide an important platform to connect research with regional needs. With more than 250 delegates in attendance, including Traditional Owners, government, industry and community leaders, the Symposium sparked meaningful conversations on how to build sustainable regional communities and economies.
Read more on the TNQ Drought Hub website
More from UNSW SMaRT Centre
See Professor Veena Sahajwalla’s LinkedIn post
