Thank you for your ideas for the Circular Economy Strategy.

This strategy and action plan will explore how to design items that last and can be shared, repaired, reused or recycled. We will be able to use materials smarter by:

  • working with manufacturers to rethink how products are made and reduce the waste that's created during production
  • buying what you need and reducing excess consumption when you can
  • reusing, repairing and sharing items wherever possible
  • helping support our local recycling industry

We appreciate everyone providing their feedback online, at one of our pop-up information sessions or through our focus groups.

We will be presenting this draft strategy to the community later this year.

Who did we hear from?

Every year more than 80 billion tonnes of raw materials like metal, cardboard and plastics are consumed worldwide. That's set to double by 2060.

Right now, only 9% of that raw material is reused and recycled. This is because our current waste system struggles to do much with our materials after it's thrown away.

With Yarra's Circular Economy Strategy 2022/30, we're working to reduce waste at each step, from design and purchasing to use and disposal.

This creates a 'circular economy' which changes how we handle and value our raw materials resulting in less being sent to landfill. Moving towards a circular economy will allow us to:

  • rethink how we design materials and products
  • reduce the waste we produce per household
  • reuse items wherever we can
  • recycle more products to create something new

This strategy supports state, federal and international work, addressing the need for a more sustainable system.

What does a circular economy mean for you?

  • We will have products that last longer.
  • Items we purchase will be easier to repair and reuse.
  • There will be more ways to rehome unwanted items through hard rubbish and community partnerships.
  • If we do need to dispose of items, they will be easier to recycle into something new.

We'll be able to:

  • invest in cleaner and more resilient projects
  • regenerate our natural resources
  • reduce emissions that cause climate change in line with our Climate Emergency Plan.

We'll focus our resources on service delivery. We want to minimise waste at all stages of the circular economy through:

  • Working with manufacturers to reduce the waste created during production.
  • Partnering with designers to improve the reparability and recyclability of their products.
  • Educating our community about positive purchasing habits to lower avoidable food waste.
  • Working to recycle and rehome more hard rubbish.
  • Investing in the way we transport and process our waste so more can be recycled.
  • Working with businesses to find new uses for recycled materials.
  • Expanding our recycling service to include additional items.
  • Support the local industry as it evolves and matures.