Mapping the Circular Economy Ecosystem of Victoria

Published on June 1, 2022

The aim of the research presented in this paper is to understand the current Circular Economy (CE) landscape in Victoria. Objectives arising were to identify the opportunities and gaps to be nurtured over the short term to support CE transition in the State of Victoria. This report represents a milestone point of the ecosystem mapping. This report presents the first tranche of research undertaken for the Victorian Circular Activator (VCA). The VCA, funded by the Recycling Victoria Innovation Fund undertaking this research, is a product of a partnership formed between RMIT University, Circular Economy Victoria, Swinburne University, City of Melbourne and Planet Ark. The VCA is a physical space to link the existing virtual infrastructure of the Circular Economy Business Innovation Centre (CEBIC) in Victoria and aims to deliver CE outcomes. The aim of the ecosystem mapping undertaken for the VCA is to understand the current CE landscape within Victoria to identify opportunities and gaps that could be harnessed as the State transitions towards CE.

The research method underpinning this study is mixed methods: a combination of desktop research, interviews with key stakeholders and a survey targeted to SMEs. Ethics approval was sought from the University prior to embarking on the research project. A brief introduction to CE from a historical perspective is provided to set the scope for the definition of CE. This is followed by the scope of the research undertaken and a short description of the method adopted for the study. Then, the results are presented, corresponding to the three complementary research methods used. Finally, this report provides the discussion, recommendations for policy alignment, key inflection points between stakeholder and policy necessary for activating CE in Victoria. Future research work emanating from this project is also presented. This is directly related to the work of the SBC programme.