The EMRC is pioneering the Circular Economy in WA

Published on Thursday, 24 June 2021 at 4:35:31 PM

The impetus behind adoption of a Circular Economy in Western Australia has been given a major boost by the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council’s first Circular Economy Masterclass.

Opened by Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson - MLA Minister for Environment; Climate Action; Commerce WA and

supported by Michelle Andrews, the new Director General at Department of Water and Environment Regulations, the three-day event attracted widespread interest and attendance from WA’s foremost planners and strategists.

EMRC CEO Marcus Geisler said, ‘The Circular Economy is a concept which proposes a movement away from the linear ‘take, make, use and dispose’ model towards one which keeps materials circulating in the economy for as long as possible, extracting their maximum value and minimising waste sent to landfill – where its value is lost.

‘Dialogues on gearing WA’s water, energy and waste infrastructure towards the principles of a Circular Economy formed a major part of the Masterclass, which was sponsored by the WA State Government through funding from the Waste Authority Waste Sorted Program.’

The Masterclass achieved a number of key outcomes:

  1. It brought together key people from the government and achieved a common understanding of circular economy.
  2. It exposed the participants to Circular Economy Principles, Global Trends, Best Practices, and Opportunities.
  3. It highlighted significant environmental and economic opportunities for WA by transitioning to a circular economy.
  4. It provided a strong inspiration to the participants to work together in accelerating the transition to the circular economy.
  5. It highlighted the critical importance for WA to be part of a global alliance to leverage intellectual and financial capital. The Global Centre of Excellence in Circular Economy will work very closely with the EMRC to facilitate this.

Circular Economy delegates had the chance to see the Circular Economy in action at the EMRC’s Hazelmere Resource Recovery Park with a tour of the facility and a briefing on the steps the EMRC has taken towards the Circular Economy.

Marcus continued, ‘The success of the Masterclass is also attributed to our amazing presenters over the three days, all of whom gave their time for free, and to the more than 30 delegates who demonstrated their commitment to the Circular Economy. It was an experience like no other and I think it’s safe to say that everyone went away with a greater understanding of what it means to go ‘Circular.’ We look forward to exploring all the opportunities we have to move processes away from the linear approach.’

Following the success of the inaugural Masterclass, the EMRC is anticipating a series of Masterclass events ranging from one- or two-day events to webinars connecting the alumni of the first WA Circular Economy Masterclass, as well as expanding the newly-formed network.

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