ACT Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan
2023 to 2030.
The ACT aspires to be a thriving and equitable city that respects the limits of our planet.
We are already moving away from the idea of a throwaway society to one of repair, reuse and recycle.
The ACT Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan will help us take the steps towards a circular city by setting the vision, strategic objectives and focus areas.
About the strategy
Read the ACT Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan 2023-2030.
In the last 50 years, global use of materials has nearly quadrupled, outpacing population growth.
The current ‘take-make-dispose’ linear economic approach sees valuable materials end up in landfill while we continue to draw on precious natural resources to make new products.
The development of a circular economy responds to concerns about resource scarcity, pollution of the environment and the economic limits of patterns of production and consumption. It keeps materials in use for as long as possible, reducing the need to use natural resources.
There are three key principles of a circular economy:
- Designing out waste and pollution
- Keeping products and materials in use
- Avoiding negative impacts to the environment and regenerating natural systems
Priorities
The Strategy has six key focus areas:
- Procurement, skills, innovation and governance
- Food and organics
- Built environment
- Consumer goods
- Emerging and problematic waste streams
- Creating space to showcase our commitment to the circular economy
This Strategy is guided by three strategic objectives to support the transition to a circular economy, representing areas where the ACT Government would like to see action.
- Grow extended producer responsibility
- Grow markets for recovered materials and goods, and circular business models
- Create high value jobs and attract innovative new enterprises
The benefits of a circular economy include:
- improving the natural environment
- wellbeing
- supporting the transition to a net zero city
- opportunities for innovation
- economic growth
- job creation.
Why it's important
- Through a circular economy we are turning our attention to how we can further reduce waste and maintain the intrinsic value of resources.
- The benefits of adopting a circular economy are not just about improving the natural environment, wellbeing and supporting the transition to a net zero city. The circular economy provides great opportunities for innovation, economic growth and job creation.
Consultation
In 2022 the ACT Government developed a draft Circular Economy Strategy which was opened for consultation. This allowed the community and industry stakeholders to have their say about the future of the Canberran circular economy.
Read the full draft strategy [PDF 24.3MB].
Contact us
The ACT No Waste team
ACTWastePolicy@act.gov.au
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.