To investigate innovative European waste reduction models for dissemination in Tasmania

The continuing Australian waste crisis is an economic opportunity for effective and long-term industry reform. Since 2017 waste production has increased by 5 million tonnes in Australia. In 2016, the European Commission reported circular economic activities such as repair, reuse & recycling generated €147 billion in value added outputs while standing for around €17.5 billion worth of investments. The economic transition occurred due to a range of complex values being restored to sophisticated products and materials in circulation; waste becomes materials that have sovereign, economic, commercial, aesthetic, social, cultural, and inherent values. Critically, the European Union (EU) provided strong leadership in releasing Circular Economic Packages that were integrated into existing directive & frameworks subject to continuous improvement processes. The EU transition when focused through the lens of the circular economic principle of restore through design, clearly required the restoration of relationships between stakeholders - civil society, government, manufacturers, producers, and the environment. These relationships were re-established through EU directives that necessitated structural reform. Importantly this structural reform required all stakeholders to participate; and allows for environmental, economic and social agendas to be delivered simultaneously. This report provides insights into the critical success factors and future for Belgium, Sweden and the United Kingdom in transitioning their economic and waste policy practice from 19th century linear practice to 21st century circular economic practice. Each country demonstrates both similar, and different approaches to implementing EU directives and frameworks – yet all three are working towards the same European vision of ‘A Recycling Society’. Belgium provides leading and rapidly growing examples of re-use culture, with a mature and sophisticated policy system to drive circular economics. The government sector is a key driver of reform, working with all stakeholders, and setting ambitious authentic performance targets. Re-use operations are paid for every kilo their operations put back into circulation. Sweden is one of the best examples of major investment by local government in materials recovery facilities including ‘ReTuna’ - the world’s first re-use shopping mall, and attendant unfettered product and materials capture systems. Complimented by a strong focus on product design, eco design labelling and facility design to create new wealth, and change attitudes and behaviour towards waste. The United Kingdom plans to be a global leader in driving circular economics & step change processes through systems, and partnerships between industry as producers, and civil society as consumers who are demanding authentic sustainable choices. Recovery, repair & restoration of products and materials in the waste stream is a key focus. The overall conclusion is increasing circular economic activity presents an extraordinary wealth creation opportunity for Tasmania, and Australia. Tasmania is already very well positioned for this marketplace, with many current exemplary examples of circular economics - what is missing is a whole of government framework that all practitioners and actors can follow and confidently invest in. This report provides substantial recommendations for implementation at its end. A message to the reader: New beginnings are precious, the circular economy is a new, young idea, and like all young it must be nurtured, honestly attended to, and cared for. It was the EU’s care and attention to detail through ongoing structural reform processes including system feedback, that has made the European Circular Economic transition so successful to date.