What we do

We accelerate the circular transition needed across many parts of the system. This includes the modernisation of our recycling infrastructure to meet our future needs. We also develop new markets for recovered materials, partnering with universities to test prototypes for products made from circular materials and ensuring that they meet industry standards.

How we do it

1. We design and deliver grants for projects to fast-track material processing capability — prioritising what Victoria needs.
2. We produce roadmaps for key priority materials, supply chains and emerging materials.
3. We research, develop and test new approaches to using recovered materials.
4. We de-risk things for businesses by partnering and trialling ideas with them first, facilitating investment opportunities and funding pathways.

We provide the first place-to-go for businesses to connect, collaborate, and access the support they need to trial new business models to stop waste before it starts. We have worked with successful start-ups including Australia’s first online zero-waste grocery delivery service and a trial garment repair service for a major retail clothing brand.

How we do it

1. We make circular consumption easy – by tackling the top behaviours identified upstream to drive waste avoidance (reuse, rental, repair).
2. We supply and host the Circular Economy Business Innovation Centre, a one-stop shop for Victorian businesses focused on eliminating waste in their operations.
3. We design and deliver grants for early adopters to fund innovative ideas.
4. We foster collaboration on circular business initiatives across government, academia, industries, sectors and regions.

We have brokered energy-efficient heating and cooling upgrades to hundreds of council and community facilities. We have developed the industry standards for 7-star energy efficient homes and we have co-designed community-owned renewable energy hubs including solar farms and central battery storage.

How we do it

1. We create programs that are focussed on saving energy costs for schools, community organisations and businesses.
2. We continually update our website to be the number one source of information on energy efficiency for Victorians.
3. We provide a set of standards for energy efficient homes for the construction industry.
4. We benchmark and track Victoria against net zero targets and provide technical input into the Gas Substitution roadmap.

Whether we are creating education campaigns to deliver better recycling, investing in repair cafes, embedding sustainability across Victorian schools, or providing solutions for the safe disposal of e-waste and chemicals - we empower Victorians to design their own circular future.

How we do it

1. We co-design solutions for waste avoidance, the repair and reuse of goods, and improvements to community recycling.
2. We design and deliver grants targeting these community and not for profit groups.
3. We provide advice and expertise to ensure that these projects are sustainable in the long term (post grant incentives.)
4. We deliver the ResourceSmart Schools program that assists schools to embed energy efficiency and waste avoidance in everything they do.

We monitor the rapidly changing materials and energy landscapes to keep our government informed of trends. We have a team of experts in circular economy, energy, materials, research, and evaluation. They deliver comprehensive studies into the sustainability mindset of Victorians and evaluate the impact of the many programs that we deliver.

How we do it

1. We produce signature research pieces that help build the case for circularity in Victoria.
2. We identify gaps and risks alongside opportunities to pursue and put that advice in front of the right people to make it happen – across industry and government.
3. We provide metrics to track Victoria’s progress on circularity, sustainability and impact on nature.
4. We lead the roll out and embedding of circular economy’s 3 principles into how Victoria operates.