Circular economy

Investigating strategies, policies, business models, and social and technical solutions to drive a circular economy.

The circular economy proposes a solution to the problems of resource depletion and waste by instigating a rethink in the way we design, make, use and manage products through their lifetimes. In a circular economy, resource efficiency and recirculation are key.

Circular economy models foster reductions in virgin resource consumption by extending the useful life of materials, and reducing energy and water consumption. The circular economy also embodies an extended waste hierarchy, product and system redesign, efficient and renewable use of resources, reuse, sharing, repairing, remanufacturing, and recycling.

ISF takes a ‘whole systems’ approach to the circular economy, understanding that this fundamental transition in production and consumption requires not only technical analysis and solutions, but also new business models, social acceptance and appropriate institutional and policy settings. Our team has experience and expertise in material flows analysis, supply chain analysis, circular economy strategy and policy, as well as social research. Our recent sectoral experience spans plastics and packaging, electrical and electronic goods, textiles, food and organics.

PROJECT | 2023-2024

Scoping the governance and co-benefits of circular food-energy systems in Pacific Islands Countries

This project will identify the current circular bio-digester systems and the potential climate co-benefits in Fiji.

PROJECT | 2021-2023

Circular Economy for Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

ISF research supports the transition to a circular economy for solar panels and energy storage batteries. ISF was commissioned to undertake research as part of a broader project led by PV Industries Pty Ltd and funded by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority through the Circular Solar Grants Program.

PROJECT | 2022-2023

Circular Solar Trials

A collaborative and industry-led approach to develop solar panel recycling and end-of-life solutions for the solar and lithium-ion battery economies. ISF and partners are finding ways to address the growing problem of solar equipment in landfill.

A green infinity symbol with an arrow on the end

PROJECT | 2021-2022

NSW Circular Rapid Review Reports

UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures leads NSW Circular Rapid Review research

PROJECT | 2022

Organics in Western Sydney Parklands

ISF’s assessed the economic and environmental benefits of a circular economy approach to processing organic waste in Western Sydney

A close-up photo of a rack of clothes on hangers

PROJECT | 2021-2022

Wellbeing wardrobe

The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) commissioned a team from ISF, Erasmus University Rotterdam and Lund University to develop the concept of a 'Wellbeing Wardrobe' – a fashion and textiles industry that is oriented towards a Wellbeing Economy

Plastic bottles, cups, cutlery and colorful plastic straws

PROJECT | 2021

Investigation of Australian used packaging material flows

On behalf of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), ISF explored how packaging in Australia is managed: from consumption and collection of used material, to end-of-life recovery and disposal

NEWS | NOV 2020

Transitioning the water industry with the circular economy

An ISF report for the Water Services Association of Australia outlines the potential benefits of a circular economy approach and the steps that the water industry will need to take to unlock them.

PROJECT | 2019-2020

Scoping study for solar panel and battery system reuse and recycling fund

ISF's research informs the development of a $10 million NSW Government program.

Indias contrast of ugly pollution and stunning beauty, The banks of Yamuna River polluted with garbage and beautiful Taj Mahal in the background

PROJECT | 2018

Addressing plastic pollution in India

Plastic pollution world-wide is growing and creating significant ecological, social and economic impacts.

PROJECT | 2018

Circular economy best practice and application in NSW

Assisting the NSW government with planning a sustainable future by looking at international applications of a circular economy.

PROJECT | 2018

Procurement for a circular economy in NSW

ISF was commissioned by the NSW Government to help inform the development of a public procurement program for a circular economy in NSW.

For this, we researched and analysed existing cases of international procurement for a circular economy, identifying the best practice procurement targets, reporting and evaluation mechanisms used, programs to support procurement, common barriers and other notes on timelines of implementation. Our analysis also explained the distinction between green and circular procurement.

Client: Environment Protection Authority (NSW)

Researchers: Monique Retamal, Melita Jazbec

PROJECT | 2018

Circular Economy Prioritisation Workshop at WMAA18 Conference

On behalf of the Waste Management Association of Australia, ISF facilitated an industry workshop to develop a coordinated approach updating the National Waste Strategy to include circular economy principles.

The workshop began with a brief overview by ISF on existing circular economy initiatives, both across state jurisdictions and international, and gathered additional knowledge from participants. From this, researchers captured the key strengths and weaknesses in the sector, and identifies priority focus areas across market development, technology and regulatory measures for inclusion in the National Waste Strategy update.

Researchers: Monique Retamal, Damien Giurco

PROJECT | 2018

Creating a circular economy precinct

ISF produced a report for Sydney Water to support both internal and external dialogue on the potential of creating a circular economy precinct in Sydney. The proposed precinct would include organics processing from wastewater and additional organics waste streams.

To assist the dialogue, the report provided a selection of example case studies of scenarios in which materials – such as separated food waste, wastewater sludge and trade waste – have been combined and treated with technology like anaerobic digestion, to create by-products for further use. Such by-products could include: biogas for hot water heating and electricity generation; and nutrient rich soil conditioner, created from the digestate, for agricultural application. The example case studies, all international, were generated from a review of available public literature and academic journal papers.

Client: Sydney Water

RESEARCH OUTPUTS

Creating a circular economy precinct report (Report)

PROJECT | 2017

Circular Economy approaches to water services

Sydney Water contracted ISF to develop and assess scenarios that adopt circular economy approaches to water services and compare them against the business-as-usual scenario. This research aimed to determine the impact of circular economy approaches on resource intensity, including water, energy and waste. ISF then facilitated a workshop with Sydney Water to assess the net-positive scenarios in terms of the feasibility to pursue the opportunity and the significance of their contribution to improving the resource efficiency of the system being assessed. From the prioritised opportunities agreed in the workshop, ISF then developed ‘transition pathways’, identifying any regulatory and market levers needed to facilitate the implementation and uptake of the shortlisted opportunities. These were accompanied by specific, practical recommendations for Sydney Water to undertake with regards to each of the regulatory and market-based levers.

Following the successful delivery of this project, ISF was contracted by Hunter Water to undertake a similar process. The engagement phase of this second project was delivered in two parts: an internal prioritisation workshop and an internal and external feasibility workshop including co-design of recommended actions.

Clients: Sydney Water, Hunter Water

Researcher: Melita Jazbec

PROJECT | 2017

Circular economy: water services planning for Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula

Sydney Water commissioned ISF to undertake a high-level investigation of water services in the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula (GPOP) using a circular economy approach, focusing on three resource flows: water, organic waste, and energy.

Our research identified the key opportunities for optimising resources within the GPOP as coming from indirect potable reuse of water, biogas generation of food waste and sewage biosolids, and reducing indoor residential water and energy use by reducing shower consumption by 10 per cent.

Research outcomes included pathways to a 66 per cent reduction in freshwater demand and a 69 per cent reduction of total wastewater discharge to the ocean, due mainly to the large volume of reuse water being returned to Prospect Hill. There was a 19 per cent reduction in organic waste sent to landfill, due to co-digestion of food waste and sewage biosolids for biogas. The net electricity imported into the GPOP 'system' was reduced by 36.5 per cent, due to biogas generation. Most notably, the outcomes included a 10 per cent reduction in indoor water use, resulting in a saving of 86.7 GWh/year from reduced water heating.

The outcomes supported and informed Sydney Water's customer strategy and regulation and was used by the Integrated System Planning group to consider new approaches to servicing by applying the circular economy framework to inform the basis of planning for GPOP. This research also guided external discussions with other planning agencies, in particular the Greater Sydney Commission, Infrastructure NSW and the Department of Planning and Environment.

Client: Sydney Water Corporation

Researcher: Melita Jazbec

PROJECT | 2017

The sharing economy in developing countries

Examining the challenges and opportunities that the sharing economy presents for low-income societies.

PROJECT | 2013-2014

Institutional issues for green-grey infrastructure based on integrated 'One Water' management

This project captured the opportunities for institutional transition within urban water systems in order to move communities on to a more integrated and sustainable path.

It engaged with the relevant literature and institutions that operate at various levels of urban water systems, to understand how institutions have transitioned to adopting the 'One Water' approach, if only in part. ISF's research identified the key internal and external drivers that led to the successful adoption of this approach, the main constraints and challenges encountered in making this transition, and the benefits that were gained through adopting the 'One Water' approach.

Our research led to a framework of the institutional structures required to achieve the 'One Water' goal, with the aim of bringing together common themes and patterns as well as identifying the approaches that had been most successful to date. Our outputs also included a concise and visually appealing practitioner’s guide for key audiences.

ISF was nominated as a Finalist for the 2016 Infrastructure Innovation Project Award by AWA NSW for this work.

Clients: WERF (USA), WRF (USA), WaterRA

RESEARCH OUTPUTS

Pathways to One Water: A guide for institutional innovation (Publication)

PROJECT | 2013

Reusable food containers

This research study investigated the feasibility of implementing a scheme for replacing disposable take away food containers with reusable containers within in Sydney's CBD. ISF researchers developed three scenarios for implementing a reusable container program: 1) a 'decentralised system' in which consumers return containers to the food court for washing and reuse; 2) a 'centralised system' in which a cleaning service provider collects used containers from collection bins around the CBD and takes them to a centralised cleaning facility; and 3) a 'KeepContainer' system in which consumers own and clean their containers (similar to the KeepCup coffee cup).

Each scenario was given a preliminary feasibility assessment that evaluated them against criteria such as operational cost, environmental performance, customer acceptance, food outlet acceptance, ease of implementation, and health and safety compliance. The study found that all three scenarios could provide better environmental performance for an equal or lower cost than the current system of businesses purchasing disposable containers.

Client: City of Sydney

Researchers: Rachael Wakefield-Rann, Nick Florin, Monique Retamal

PROJECT | 2011-2013

Building industry capability to make recycled water investment decisions

This two-year national collaborative research project was undertaken by ISF for the Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence (AWRCoE).

For this, ISF brought on board 12 partner organisations, representing utilities, developers, local authorities, technology providers and regulators. ISF's research sought to shape the knowledge base and future actions of key investors and decision-makers in the recycled water industry. For this, they investigated a series of wide-ranging case studies, learning from what has happened on the ground in terms of risks, costs and benefits at different scales; for different end uses; under different public-private arrangements; and in different jurisdictions.

Client: Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence (AWRCoE)

RESEARCH OUTPUTS

Water recycling investment website

PROJECT | 2010

Frasers Broadway precinct water cycle strategy

The $2 billion redevelopment of the Old Kent Brewery site on Broadway in Sydney is one of Australia’s most successful examples of green urban regeneration. ISF was a key partner of Frasers Property in identifying sustainability opportunities for the site, and assisted in developing the Frasers Broadway Precinct Water Cycle Strategy to plan significant reductions in overall energy use, water use and solid waste.

Location: Sydney

Client: Frasers Property Australia

Researcher: Pierre Mukheibir

RESEARCH OUTPUTS

Frasers Broadway Precinct Water Cycle Strategy - "Green Transformation" (Article)