Impact Priority 5 - Circular economy and waste | Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub

Overview

Australia is transitioning towards a circular economy, but achieving this shift requires strong data, effective governance and industry innovation. Impact Priority 5 (IP5) provides research and tools to support this transition, focusing on metrics, governance, Indigenous opportunities and policy conditions for industry transformation.

IP5 has three research projects underway:

Project 1: Tracking Progress Towards a Circular Economy

Developing metrics and data tools to measure Australia’s progress.

Why?

Measuring Australia’s circular economy progress requires accurate and accessible data. Without clear metrics, it is difficult to track changes, identify gaps, and inform policy decisions.

Who?

Project lead:

Dr Heinz Schandl, CSIRO

Project team:

Dr Alessio Miatto, CSIRO

What?

Developing a material flow analysis framework to track resource use and waste generation.

Improving national indicators for circular economy performance.

Supporting policymakers and industry with data-driven insights.

What’s coming?

A comprehensive report on circular economy material flows.

New data tools and indicators for tracking circular economy progress.

Policy recommendations for improving circular economy measurement.

Project outputs:

Report: Circularity metrics for Australia’s states and territories, 2010–2024 (May 2026)

Paper: Detailed waste flows and circularity rates reveal the limits of the circularity gap concept (June 2025)

Report: Australian material flow analysis to progress to a circular economy (Mar 2024)

Paper: Australia's circular economy metrics and indicators (Jan 2024)

Project 2: Unlocking Circular Innovation in Regional & Remote Australia

Exploring how to better support circular economy initiatives in regional and remote Australia through place-based approaches.

Why?

Regional and Circular economy initiatives in rural and regional areas are more likely to stall and rely on government grants. We are investigating the ingredients and strategies that will see more initiatives thrive in regional areas.

Who?

Project lead:

Dr Stefan Kaufman, Monash University

Project team:

Joanna Vince, University of Tasmania
Natalia De Mirando Grilly, University of Tasmania (PhD Student)

What?

Identifying governance models that support circular economy innovation.
Exploring regulatory and policy barriers to local circular economy initiatives.
Providing practical recommendations for councils and regional authorities, as well as state and federal agencies and industry.

What’s coming?

Case studies of successful circular economy policies at the local and regional level.

A governance framework for enabling circular economy transitions.

Resources for councils to support local circular economy initiatives.

Project 3: Circular Economy Opportunities for Indigenous Communities

Supporting Indigenous businesses and communities to engage in the circular economy.

Why?

Indigenous communities and businesses have unique opportunities to engage with and benefit from circular economy models. Ensuring these opportunities align with community values and aspirations is critical.

Who?

Phase III:

Project co-lead:

Dr Pia Interlandi, Curtin University
Dr Roberto Minunno, Curtin University

Project team:

Rebecca Barlow, Curtin University and Deadly Denim

What?

Co-design community-led clothing reuse and skills workshop/s with Whadjuk Noongar participants.
Explore practical ways to reduce textile waste through upcycling, repair and traditional making skills.
Assess whether the workshop model could support ongoing local activity, employment and adaptation in remote communities.

What’s been done so far?

Phase I and Phase II:

Identifying circular economy opportunities that align with Indigenous knowledge and business models.

Supporting Indigenous enterprises in accessing circular economy markets.

Providing policy and funding recommendations to enhance Indigenous participation.

Project lead

Associate Professor Atiq Zaman, Curtin University

Project team:

Associate Professor Shaouli Shahid, Curtin University

Fred Yasso, Curtin University

Rebecca Barlow, Curtin University and Deadly Denim

What’s coming?

Case studies of Indigenous-led circular economy initiatives.

Practical guidance for supporting Indigenous businesses in circular economy sectors.

Policy recommendations to ensure equitable participation in circular economy opportunities.

Project Outputs

Report: Indigenous Circular Economy Opportunities in WA (April 2026)

Project Snapshot: Indigenous Circular Economy Opportunities in WA (April 2026)

Completed: Economic & Policy Conditions for Industry Transformation

Understanding what’s needed to scale circular economy solutions, with a focus on tyre recovery.

Why?

Scaling circular economy solutions requires the right economic and policy conditions. Understanding what drives industry change can help shape effective policies and investments.