What is a circular economy?

What is a circular economy?

A circular economy will create new jobs for Queenslanders, help secure supply chains and move us towards a net-zero emissions future.

In Queensland, we’re growing our circular economy, as part of our plan to make the most of the global shift towards decarbonisation. By investing in the recycling and resource recovery industries, we’re setting up Queensland businesses for success and lowering waste and emissions.

You may have heard the phrase ‘circular economy’ before, but do you know what it means? Even if you don’t know the definition, you might already be playing a part in Queensland’s growing circular economy through everyday activities. Let’s explore how a circular economy in Queensland affects you and how you can get involved.

What is a circular economy?

Unlike a traditional “take, make and dispose” model, a circular economy is a production and consumption model that aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible.

A circular economy model:

  • Extends the lifecycle of materials
  • Recovers and regenerates materials at the end of each service life
  • Keeps resources in their highest value use for as long as possible.

Recycling and resource recovery are essential components of a circular economy. Recycling allows materials like metals, plastics, paper, and glass to be collected, processed, and turned into new products. This reduces the demand for virgin raw materials, which preserves natural resources like forests, minerals, and oil reserves.

Recycling often requires less energy compared to the extraction and processing of virgin materials. For instance, recycling aluminium requires significantly less energy than producing aluminium from bauxite ore. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental impact of resource extraction.

The recycling and resource recovery sectors create jobs in collection, sorting, processing, and manufacturing of recycled materials and products. This contributes to local economies and can provide employment opportunities in sustainable industries.

A circular economy is good for Queenslanders: it will mean more jobs, a more stable economy and supply chains, and help us reach our emissions targets. In Queensland, our focus is on recycling and resource recovery to help grow our circular economy.

Recycling and resource recovery in Queensland

Recycling and resource recovery efforts aim to divert waste and valuable materials away from landfill so they can be used to create new products.

You’re probably already used to the idea of recycled paper products like printer paper, toilet paper or paper plates, but recycling goes far beyond paper and cardboard. Many products can be recycled, and we’re investing in businesses that will increase our recycling capacity and are figuring out how to work with hard-to-recycle products right here in Queensland.

Resource recovery is the process of finding another use for industry or manufacturing by-products that would ordinarily to go waste. We have many great examples of resource recovery happening in Queensland, like:

  • Mercurius using sugar cane bagasse to create sustainable aviation fuel.
  • BlockTexx breaking down old clothes and textiles to create cellulose.
  • EQ Resources sorting discarded mining waste at Mt Carbine mine and using new technologies to find and extract critical minerals.

How can everyday Queenslanders get involved in a recycling and resource recovery?

There are easy ways to get involved in a circular economy, even as an individual. From popping your food scraps in a composter or worm farm, to putting recyclables in the correct recycling bin or shopping for second-hand clothing, you’re probably aware of ways to keep recycling materials around the home.

A few more ways to recycle everyday include:

  • Properly disposing of batteries at a battery recycling facility.
  • Making it your mission to upcycle, as well as recycle.
  • Thinking twice before throwing away a material you didn’t think could by recycled, like polystyrene which some councils can accept at their transfer stations.

For more information about recycling opportunities near you, head to your local government website.

How can Queensland businesses make the most of a circular economy?

Our shift to a circular economy creates an opportunity for Queensland businesses to think outside the box about how they make the most of their resources. New recycling and resource recovery initiatives will create new jobs for Queenslanders and secure the future of Queensland businesses in a decarbonised economy.

The Queensland Government has set ambitious targets to increase diversion of waste landfill and increase recycling across the state. Funding programs, like the Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund, provided support for councils and businesses to divert their waste from landfill or create unique ways to recycle valuable materials right here in Queensland.

More information about recycling and resource recovery in Queensland

Want to know more about Queensland’s circular economy? Follow the links below for:

Last updated: 26 Jul 2024

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