Recovering food waste is one of our biggest areas for improvement with as much as 40 per cent of the material in South Australian household waste bins sent to landfill . This could be diverted to green bins to produce valuable commodities such as compost and other products that can help sequester carbon in soils . The lntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that loss and waste of food caused between 8 and 10 % of the emissions of the gases responsible for global warming in the period 2010-2016 . 9
SO HOW DO WE CAPITALISE ON THIS OPPORTUNITY ? Government , businesses and the community can accelerate Australia ’ s transition to a circular economy .
For Governments , this transition includes a variety of levers including funding for research , market incentives for improved business processes , improved procurement approaches and improved regulatory systems to extend waste producer responsibility and promote the more efficient use and recovery of scarce resources .
For businesses , the transition involves reviewing existing production systems , assessing material and waste within these systems and using innovative solutions to prevent waste . This could be through improved design of products that are made to last and reduce waste and make it easier to repair , recycle and reuse .
From a community perspective , we can all help accelerate the transition to a circular economy – particularly in our role as consumers . Product-as-a-service and sharing models are becoming increasingly popular . For example , instead of owning a library of videos , music or books many consumers are opting for a subscription to have access to those services when they want them .
As we consider alternatives for maximising our economic recovery , we need to consider not just short term stimulus but also the opportunities to create long term resilient jobs that ultimately will improve Australia ’ s economy while also supporting Australia ’ s transition to a zero carbon-economy .
Green Industries SA is driving the transition to a circular zero carbon economy by delivering programs to ;
• reduce the use of raw materials which reduces the emissions generated in accessing these resources ;
• keeping materials in use longer which helps reduce the energy and emissions required for manufacturing , transportation , and disposal or recycling ;
• reselling , repairing and reusing goods to reduce the carbon footprint of new products ;
• reducing waste , which reduces the energy and emissions from wasteful products such as single-use plastics , fast fashion , product obsolescence , reducing landfill and its associated greenhouse gas emissions ; and
• reducing food waste reduces the depletion of nutrients and water from over production of food and the composting and soil enhancement for a circular economy .
Recovering food waste is one of our biggest areas for improvement with as much as 40 per cent of the material in South Australian household waste bins sent to landfill .
REFERENCES
4 Resources Waste Advisory Group : Review of South Australia ’ s Waste Strategy 2011-2015 , 2014 .
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
ANGUS MITCHELL Angus Mitchell is an Economist with Green Industries SA and has most recently project managed South Australia ’ s Bushfire Debris Clean-up following the 2019-20 black summer bushfires . Angus has had over 10 years ’ experience working as an economist in the environment portfolio of the South Australian Government including working in Tourism and Economic Development for National Parks , assessing the economic impacts associated with introducing Marine Parks and developing programs and policies to support improved recycling rates in South Australia . Angus Mitchell has a Masters of Business Administration from Southern Cross University and Economics and Arts degrees from the University of Adelaide .
DR IAN OVERTON Dr Ian Overton is the Deputy Chief Executive of Green Industries SA , the agency leading the transition to a circular economy , developing a vibrant zero waste environment through policy , education and innovation . He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide with a passion for sustainability and enhancing the environmental , social and economic outcomes through strategy and implementation of the circular economy . Ian has a science background in environmental and water resource management with a Bachelor Degree and a PhD in environmental science . Ian also has an international business background in entrepreneurship and innovation with a Graduate Certificate in Management , a Diploma in Company Directorship and a Masters in Business Administration .
VOL 13 NO 2 2020 28 www . edaustralia . com . au