In a circular economy of the future, new wealth will be created by designing for circular flows of materials and products. Waste would be avoided, and products, processes, and supply chains would be designed to maintain the usefulness of resources through multiple product-use cycles.
Metals are essential for society and vital for a circular economy. Currently, only a small number of metals are recycled at a high rate, and their production has significant adverse environmental and social impacts. The Wealth from Waste Cluster – bringing together the University of Technology Sydney, Monash University, The University of Queensland, Swinburne University of Technology, Yale University and CSIRO – has characterised Australian opportunities in a circular economy for metals; and, identified the key data, technologies and policy changes that will enable the transition.
The circular economy supports the broad global challenge of increasing the sustainability of resources. The Wealth from Waste research aims to position Australia for leadership in this shift.
This report called "Australian Opportunities in a Circular Economy for Metals " summarises the findings of the Wealth from Waste Cluster.
