Impact Priority 2

Ku-ring-gai Council and AUSMAP (Australian Microplastic Assessment Project) have visited UNSW labs as part of the Hub's synthetic grass microplastics project.  

Hub leader, Prof Veena Sahajwalla AO, has encouraged Australians to think about the durability and end-of-life destination of

Hub leader Prof Veena Sahajwalla AO won the Excellence in Sustainable Innovation (Industrial) Award at the 2025 Vogue Codes Summit.

“End of life products are literally just products waiting to be remade into something else.” 

Circular economy experts from the Sustainable Communities and Waste were invited to take part in the Regional Circular Economy Summit on Phillip Island, hosted by Bass Coast Shire Council.

Learn how we're working across Australia to reduce the impact of plastics on people and the environment.

The 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 staff are taking part in a panel at the Regional Circular Economy Summit to support the shift toward circularity. 

The UNSW Library has unveiled the Materials Revolution exhibition, showcasing Hub research and helping to shift community views of waste resources. 

The Plastic and Waste Materials team set up a stall to showcase how innovative waste solutions can drive sustainability as part of the transition to a circular economy.

Hub researcher Dr Rumana Hossain has contributed to Australia's new standards for analysing microplastics.

Learn how the Hub is supporting Australia's to a circular economy

The Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub is excited to celebrate the recognition of our Hub Leader, Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2025 Australia Day Honours.

The Hub held a stakeholder webinar to highlight the progress made in Impact Priority 2 (IP2): Reduced Impact of Plastics and Other Materials. 

Festive presents and decorations can release microplastics into the environment. 

The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) invited Hub staff to connect with young people as part of the 2024 NYSF Explore UNSW Science Day.

Anirban Ghose speaks to the Ocean Protect podcast about place-based recycling and microplastics.

It is essential to recognise the critical work being done to address the plastic crisis this Plastic Free July.