By Jena Carr
Surf Coast Shire Council is helping avoid waste, increase resource recovery and regenerate nature through its new Circular Economy Action Plan 2024-2027 (CEAP).
Council adopted the CEAP during its July meeting, with the circular economy approach in contrast to a linear economy based on a take-make-use-dispose approach.
Councillor Libby Stapleton said the action plan outlined 25 actions and a range of targets for council that help “lead to tangible change” in its approach to waste.
“Actions such as sharing, loaning, reusing, and repurposing are all a key part of the transition to a circular economy,” she said.
“Some say that moving to a circular economy is just as important as reaching net zero carbon emissions. The two goals are obviously intertwined and essential.
“It essentially means moving from a linear way of using and disposing waste to a circular path that involves avoiding waste, keeping valuable resources in use as long as possible.”
The CEAP featured five priority areas for action, including advocacy, driving systems change, maximising reuse, increasing resource recovery, and innovation and collaboration.
Cr Kate Gazzard said the plan was council’s “first formal” CEAP, demonstrating its strong commitment to reducing waste and maximising resource recovery.
“This is a positive and proactive step, which will help to guide a council and community-wide transition to a circular economy,” she said.
“We recognise how committed our community is to sustainable living and that many great circular economy initiatives are already underway.
“We now look forward to the action plan providing a strategic and collaborative pathway to further drive both the council and community’s circular transition.”
