First meeting of circular economy advisory group

Jul 23, 2023

The Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group will meet for the first time in February.

Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water, has announced new appointments to the group, established to advise government on the opportunities and challenges in making a transition to a circular economy by 2030.

Tackling waste, particularly plastics, and moving to a circular economy quickly and efficiently is a priority for the government.

At the Environment Ministers’ Meeting late in 2022, all Australian environment ministers committed to working with the private sector and industry to design out waste and pollution, keep materials in use, and foster markets to achieve a circular economy by 2030.

Plibersek said there has been progress towards these goals, but more action is needed to prevent waste, improve product design, and build more efficient production processes.

"A circular economy is more than just better recycling systems," she said. "It's about designing out waste from the start. Making sure that new products are designed to last longer, to be reused and repaired, and able to have all parts recyclable at the end of the product's life.

"More than 70 per cent of environmental impacts are locked in at the design stage, before a consumer ever purchases a product, and well before we even consider its disposal or reuse.

"I’m excited about the economic opportunities of a circular economy. Australia can be a global leader in technology, innovation, design, materials, and processes. By taking the lead, we can create good local jobs using extraordinary Australian creativity.

She said keeping waste out of landfill supports jobs at three times the rate of dumping it.

It's these types of issues – and the actions Australia can take – that the expert Circular Economy Advisory Group will be so important for.

"The group has an impressive range of skills and knowledge, and their outstanding expertise reflect the whole-of supply-chain focus of the circular economy," Plibersek said.

"We have a big task ahead of us, however with the Circular Economy Advisory Group, the work of state and territory environment ministers, and strong industry leadership – we will get there."

John Thwaites, Inaugural Chair of the Advisory Group, said there are good things happening in waste and recycling but much more needs to be done to strengthen Australia's circular economy.

"By developing our circular economy, we reduce waste and pollution, we get more value out of materials in our economy, and we put our economy on a more sustainable footing for growth over the long-term.

"We’ve brought together some of the best and brightest minds from industry, academia and the scientific community to advise on the best path forward.

"We’ll be looking at the most impactful policies and actions that government and industry can pursue to advance our circular economy.

"I look forward to working with the advisory group and the minister to ensure we provide impactful advice to government."

For more information, visit: www.minister.dcceew.gov.au