ASPIRE – EMPOWERING BUSINESSES TO EXCHANGE WASTE AS A RESOURCE
Susan Magi , Aspire
IMPLEMENTATION ASPIRE was developed initially in collaboration with CSIRO , Data61 and a number of councils in Victoria to help lower local businesses waste costs , while reducing waste going to landfill . The platform also introduced circular economy principles to businesses and helped them shift from a waste hierarchy to circular behaviours .
ASPIRE ’ s innovative software uses a sophisticated algorithm to create an online match making platform for businesses to exchange their waste as a resource . During the pilot stages of ASPIRE , 45,000 tonnes of manufacturing waste was diverted from landfill . Currently ASPIRE operates with over 400 + businesses , across 17 councils throughout Australia on the platform with savings over $ 210K to businesses by exchanging their resources . For many businesses , ASPIRE ’ s matching platform provides the tools to truly “ walk the talk ” as sustainable enterprises .
APIRE ’ s newly developed platform , ( launched April 2020 ) was created with a larger footprint and looks to dramatically expand within both the government and business ASPIRE communities .
Now a commercial business , Aspire has reviewed the platform to ensure new initiatives can be implemented , while remaining true to the original concept and loyal to the founding members ( stakeholders ) whose collaboration and connections .
To create a clear circular economy vision , a collaborative effort is required and with this in mind ASPIRE ’ s team works closely with member stakeholders both at a council level and within businesses directly on a daily basis .
ASPIRE OBJECTIVES According the Australian Bureau of Statistics , Australia generates around 68.9 mega tonnes of waste per year - this number steadily projected to increase .
ASPIRE ’ s objectives have been to create an innovative service , encouraging circular behaviours through actions and education . Aspire helps to close the loop , while diverting waste from landfill by offering localised solutions , savings on production and waste disposal . while empowering businesses to create new revenue streams .
As a consequence of this objective , the marketplace platform has also created connections and a collaborative network of like-minded businesses .
ASPIRE has assisted hundreds of businesses and communities to understand that engaging in the circular economy model , allows them to be sustainable while creating a new revenue stream ( by exchanging waste with value ).
WHAT ’ S NEXT FOR ASPIRE ? Expansion means continuing to populate the ASPIRE marketplace with new businesses . The platform will continue to support businesses actively exchange waste , reduce landfill and practice circular economy principles , resulting in business savings , localised solutions and community networks .
ASPIRE is poised to expand into new domestic and international markets . However , the support of State and Federal governments is critical in order to change behaviours and encoourage and support small and large organisations move to a circular economy model .
Mandatory waste levels to landfills , education and incentives to get this moving will be a win for us all .
ASPIRE ’ s story is a short one to date with a big passion for change and it is ASPIRE members that drive us to ensure our initiatives are heard and achieved ;
A word from an ASPIRE business : “ At Casafico we manufacture construction materials made from waste , ASPIRE is an integral part of our business which shows transparency to all our stakeholders to see how much waste we divert from landfill and how much CO2 we save ., We will use ASPIRE to research new waste streams for product development and most importantly know that our waste is not being stock piled or buried . With ASPIRE we have confidence that our waste is being responsibly rescued , reused or , as we do , transformed into a new product .”
VOL 13 NO 2 2020 44 www . edaustralia . com . au