Although the use of the term Circular Economy is not a new concept there are still many people who have not heard of the phrase or do not know what it means.
Thank you to those of you who contacted me from my flyers who wanted to learn more.
This is a strong focus area of mine so I wanted to take some time to explain.
The diagram above outlines the key difference between a Linear Economy and a Circular Economy.
The Ellen MacCarthur Foundation (2024) succinctly describes the circular economy as follows:
- A system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated.
- Products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting.
- Based on three principles:
- Underpinned by a transition to renewable energy and materials.
- Is a resilient system that is good for business, people, and the environment.
I couldn’t have put it better in my own words myself!
Loddon Mallee Waste and Resource Recovery Group
In the early years as a Councillor, Macedon Ranges businesses and the community regularly contacted me concerned about waste, so I decided to upskill and learn as much as I could about how I could make a difference.
I made it a priority to try and reduce waste and increase recycling/reuse principles of the circular economy economically and in socially responsible ways.
Through this journey, I was lucky enough to gain a State Government appointed position as Chair of Loddon Mallee Waste and Resource Recovery Group (LMWRRG) from 2017 to 2022.
The Loddon Mallee regions includes the Macedon Ranges up to Mildura and is the largest in Victoria.
By working with local government, businesses and focusing on community education, solution based progress was made to:
- reduce waste to landfill
- increase the recycling of various products including organic materials
- explore the pros and cons of different methods of separating out waste streams
- reducing waste in the first place, and making use of someone else’s waste as another’s resource
[I would like to think outcomes from this group helped to inform the Loddon Mallee Regional Circular Economy Plan which sets out the region’s aspirations to 2030 for a sustainable and thriving circular economy]
My involvement in this group assisted to increase my knowledge and make recycling and recovery of materials a priority across my three terms on Council. This was in response to a clear message from the community that you saw reducing waste as one of the key priorities Council should address.
This dedication to reducing waste, which reduces cost to the rate payers through reducing the land fill State government levy, as well as lessening the communities impact on climate change, has seen the Macedon Ranges lead all other Victorian Councils with our 4 Bin System and Transfer Station initiatives. You have told me how much you love this so I will continue to look for new ways to improve the circular economy in the Macedon Ranges; within Council operations, local businesses and the community. – read more about this here.
CR JENNIFER ANDERSON 