Biggest Buy Circular Showcase signals shift toward sustainable procurement at Victorian councils
Markets Acceleration Manager Shannon Smyth introducing a panel Sustainability Victoria has hosted the largest-ever Buy Circular Showcase attracting more than 175 attendees and featuring 28 innovative suppliers leading the way in circular economy solutions.
The Buy Circular South Eastern Showcase, held in partnership with the City of Casey, City of Greater Dandenong, Frankston City Council, and Mornington Peninsula Shire, featured practical demonstrations, keynote presentations, and site tours that highlighted practical applications of circular procurement in the region.
"The energy at the Showcase was contagious, the connections made invaluable. The momentum from this event will continue to grow as we work together to accelerate circular outcomes across the region."
The Showcase also featured presentations from councils participating in Sustainability Victoria’s Buy Circular Champions program, which now includes 40 champions across 28 councils. These champions have formed five working groups to co-develop procurement tools – such as circular tender evaluation criteria and a sustainable procurement policy template – that make it easier for councils to take action.
Close the Loop, a showcase supplier, found the event very beneficial with Head of Circular Economy Steve Morris commenting, ‘I’ve had at least 10 good conversations this morning. I would have travelled to this event for any one of them.’
Yan Zhao, Senior Landscape Architect at Yarra Ranges Council, was equally positive saying, ‘It was such an inspiring and informative session, bringing together like-minded people from a range of organisations and professions.’
The event also included site visits to Orana Estate, Melbourne’s largest master-planned community using recycled materials, and Casey Fields, a sports and recreation precinct designed with circular principles in mind.
Excursion to Casey Fields including the City Football Academy Melbourne Sustainability Victoria’s work in the southeast includes more than $2.6 million in funding for 73 circular economy projects across the region.
Shannon Smyth, Manager of Markets Acceleration at Sustainability Victoria, said, ‘The energy at the Showcase was contagious, the connections made invaluable. The momentum from this event will continue to grow as we work together to accelerate circular outcomes across the region.’
Sustainability Victoria plays a key role in connecting councils and industry to drive circular procurement. With more circular products now on the market, the next step is building buyer confidence and demand, so recycled and reusable materials become standard in Victoria’s infrastructure, landscaping, and open spaces.