Product stewardship supports business in transition to a circular economy

Australia's landmark study on the benefits and effectiveness of product stewardship has reached a significant milestone with the release of six new data reports on 28 June.

These reports aim to enhance the understanding of product stewardship in delivering environmental, social and economic benefits and provide businesses and government with a pathway to transition to a circular economy.

The studies were conducted by the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) and the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence. The project was funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

In an era where governments, businesses, and communities are increasingly focused on creating a sustainable future, these reports provide a crucial and timely evidence base. The findings confirm the importance of product stewardship as a major business-oriented approach to eliminating waste and pollution, promoting the circulation of products and materials in the economy, regenerating natural systems, and decarbonising the economy.

To delve deeper into the content of these reports, the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence and consortium partners have organised a series of three webinars to be held across July and August. These webinars will explore topics such as product stewardship effectiveness, business and consumer engagement, and performance metrics for product stewardship.

This is the most comprehensive data set in Australia on product stewardship with insights around what stewardship has achieved and how it can be extended and made more effective.

– Dr Nick Florin, ISF

Experts and industry professionals will lead these sessions, including ISF Research Director Dr Nick Florin, ISF Research Principal Dr Simran Talwar, Stuart Clarke from IPSOS, and Danielle Smalley from Exchange for Change.

Study co-author Dr Nick Florin said the reports and webinars would be highly useful for policy makers, product stewards and business decision makers.

“This is the most comprehensive data set in Australia on product stewardship with insights around what stewardship has achieved and how it can be extended and made more effective,” Dr Florin said.

“There is an intense amount of policy work underway as Australia continues to search for answers to our environmental problems, including the impacts of production, consumption and waste generation. These reports can help inform the work of Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek’s Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group, the work of State Government environment agencies and for brands and industries looking for sustainable solutions,” Dr Florin said.

These comprehensive reports provide valuable insights into various aspects of product stewardship and its potential for promoting sustainability and transitioning to a circular economy.

Webinar sessions

• Product stewardship effectiveness – 13 July, Dr Nick Florin UTS-ISF and Lina Goodman (Tyre Stewardship Australia)
• Business and consumer engagement – 20 July, Dr Simran Talwar/Dr Nick Florin UTS-ISF and Stuart Clarke (IPSOS)
• Performance metrics for product stewardship – 3 August, Dr Simran Talwar UTS-ISF and Danielle Smalley (Exchange for Change)