Monash University researchers discovered that businesses implementing circular economy (CE) practices can achieve waste reductions of up to 65%

Australia's manufacturing sector generates 13 million tonnes of waste annually, with Victoria contributing 39% of that total. In southeast Melbourne alone, manufacturing waste amounts to 5,00,000 tonnes each year.

To tackle this challenge, Victoria's manufacturing industry has partnered with Monash Business School's Department of Management to develop strategies aimed at improving resource efficiency, reducing waste, and minimizing the environmental impact of production and consumption through circular economy (CE) principles.

As part of a three-year initiative led by Professor Amrik Sohal, a research team collaborated with manufacturers from various sectors, including plastics, textiles, general engineering, and food, as well as industry associations and local government representatives. Their focus was on raising awareness, building capacity, and supporting the transition to CE practices. The team interviewed 25 businesses that had adopted CE practices to identify successful strategies, which they then shared through industry-specific workshops and seminars.

A post-workshop survey revealed that participants’ attitudes and behaviors shifted once they recognized the economic and cost benefits of CE practices. Jardan, an Australian luxury furniture company that participated in the study, reduced its manufacturing waste by 65% after implementing CE strategies. The company is committed to sustainability across the entire product lifecycle, sourcing over 75% of materials from Australian suppliers, designing for longevity, and cutting energy consumption by 17%.

Professor Sohal highlighted Jardan as a prime example of what can be achieved through CE practices. "CE is about optimizing resource use, based on the idea that our economic system already has enough resources. The aim is to improve efficiency, reduce our reliance on new resource extraction and minimize waste and extend the life of materials."

Based on their findings, the research team recommends the following actions for businesses:

Incorporate Circularity into Product Design: Use alternative or recycled materials during the design phase.

Adopt a Systems Approach: Circularize the entire supply chain.

Ensure Financial Viability: Establish a business model that supports CE financials.

Be Transparent: Be honest and authentic about CE initiatives.

Communicate Value: Help stakeholders understand the value of their role in CE.

Join the Network: Connect with other organizations to share best practices and CE projects.

These strategies can help businesses reduce waste and promote more sustainable manufacturing practices.