Jo Taranto - Better events and destinations

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• Definition:  The circular economy is an economic model that prioritizes reducing waste and maximizing the use of resources by keeping materials in use for as long as possible.
• Global  Adoption: Originating in the UK, the circular economy has been embraced by G20 countries as a strategy to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.
• Economic  Impact: A study suggests that transitioning to a circular economy in      Australia could boost the economy by $1.9 trillion over the next 20 years.  This is achieved by creating new industries focused on recycling, repair, and sustainable production.

• Local  Application: The speaker provides practical examples of how the circular economy framework can benefit Kingaroy and South Burnett. For instance, local businesses could implement circular practices by reusing materials, reducing waste in their operations, and offering products as services.
• Economic  Resilience: Tourism relies on a healthy environment and economy. By adopting circular economy principles, South Burnett can ensure its natural resources are managed sustainably, supporting long-term tourism viability.  For example, a local winery could reduce waste by repurposing grape skins for cosmetics or animal feed, adding value to what would otherwise be a byproduct.

• Resource Consumption: The traditional linear economy heavily relies on finite resources, which leads to excessive waste and environmental harm. For instance, the production and disposal of single-use plastics contribute significantly to ocean pollution.
• Unsustainable  Practices: Industries like fast fashion exemplify unsustainable practices, producing low-quality, short-lived products that end up in landfills. The speaker highlights how these practices generate waste and deplete resources without providing long-term value.

• Designing  Out Waste: Products should be designed for longevity, easy repair, or repurposing, reducing the need for disposal. For example, modular smartphones can be upgraded or repaired easily, extending their lifespan.
• Keeping  Materials in Use: Materials should be maintained at their highest value for as long as possible, reducing the need for extracting new resources. The automotive industry, for instance, can remanufacture and reuse parts, reducing the demand for raw materials.
• Regenerating Natural Systems: Economic activities should support and enhance natural systems, recognizing their role in sustaining life and prosperity.      For example, regenerative agriculture practices improve soil health,      increase biodiversity, and sequester carbon, contributing to long-term environmental stability.

• Service-Based Models: Businesses can transition from selling products to offering them as services. For example, instead of selling linen, a company might rent it out, ensuring the items are reused and eventually recycled. This model has been adopted by companies in Europe, where textiles as a service is growing, reducing waste and promoting material reuse.
• Local  Manufacturing: Focusing on local production and repair services can reduce waste, create jobs, and increase economic resilience. A local shoe repair shop, for instance, could thrive in a circular economy by fixing and refurbishing shoes rather than consumers discarding them and buying new ones.
• Encouraging  Longer Stays to Reduce Waste: Encouraging tourists to stay longer and engage more deeply with the local area can reduce waste. For example,      instead of grabbing a coffee to go in a single-use cup, visitors are encouraged to sit down and enjoy their coffee in a reusable cup. This not only reduces waste but also boosts local businesses, as customers might be more inclined to make additional purchases, such as a pastry or a local souvenir.
• Evaluating  Supply Chains for Sustainability: Understanding where materials come from and making more sustainable choices can significantly reduce a business's carbon footprint. For instance, a bakery in South Burnett might switch to sourcing flour from a local mill instead of importing it, thus reducing transportation emissions and supporting local agriculture.
• Product Life Extension and Right to Repair: Extending the life of products and advocating for the right to repair can prevent premature disposal. An example is the regular servicing of agricultural machinery in South Burnett, ensuring that equipment lasts longer and operates efficiently,  reducing the need for new purchases.
• Sharing  Platforms and Resource Optimization: Communities can create platforms to share resources, reducing the need for individual ownership of infrequently used items. In South Burnett, several businesses could share access to a forklift rather than each purchasing their own, optimizing resource use and cutting costs. This cooperative model has been successfully implemented in industrial precincts, where businesses share resources and even turn one another's waste into inputs for new products.
• Designing for Disassembly and Zero Waste: Products and infrastructure can be designed with the end of their lifecycle in mind, allowing for easy disassembly and recycling. Urban developers might design buildings that can be deconstructed rather than demolished, with materials like steel and concrete repurposed or recycled. An innovative example is a company that offers building facades as a service, managing the lifecycle of the materials to ensure they are refurbished or recycled at the end of their use.

• Environmental Limits: The speaker discusses the concept of carrying capacity,  emphasizing that there is a limit to how many tourists an area can sustain without damaging the environment. For instance, in popular tourist destinations like the Great Barrier Reef, excessive tourism has led to coral bleaching and ecosystem degradation. Applying circular economy principles can help manage tourism sustainably, ensuring that visitor numbers do not exceed the area’s environmental capacity.
• Community Impact: Over-tourism can strain local resources, leading to issues like housing shortages and environmental degradation. The speaker cites global protests in places like Venice, where locals have pushed back against the negative impacts of mass tourism. South Burnett can avoid these pitfalls by implementing policies that balance tourism growth with the preservation of local resources and community well-being.

• Current  Challenges: The speaker notes that recycling alone is not enough to address the waste problem. Instead, the focus should be on reducing waste from the start by rethinking product design and consumption patterns. For example, packaging can be redesigned to be fully compostable or reusable,  minimizing the need for recycling.
• Remining and E-Waste: Remining, or extracting valuable materials from waste,  such as recovering gold from electronic waste, illustrates the potential of circular practices. This approach not only reduces the need for new mining operations but also addresses the growing issue of e-waste, which is a significant environmental concern.

• Shifting Mindsets: The speaker calls for a shift away from the traditional economic model of infinite growth based on finite resources. The circular economy promotes a sustainable approach to economic development, where growth is decoupled from resource consumption. This shift is essential for addressing long-term environmental challenges.
• Collaboration:     The transition to a circular economy requires collaboration across various sectors, including government, business, and communities. The speaker highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder initiatives, where different groups work together to implement circular practices. For instance, local councils in South Burnett could collaborate with businesses and residents to develop a regional strategy for waste reduction and resource management.

The session underscores the critical need to transition to a circular economy to ensure environmental sustainability and economic resilience. By understanding and applying these principles, communities like South Burnett can create a sustainable future, benefiting both the economy and the environment. The speaker encourages participants to consider how these concepts can be practically implemented in their businesses and communities, offering a path forward that is both innovative and essential for long-term sustainability.