Council hosts circular economy business breakfast to support change

Local businesses are invited to attend a Circular Economy themed business breakfast on Thursday 30 November (08:00 AM - 09:30 AM) at Creswick Neighbourhood Centre, hosted by Hepburn Shire Council and Creswick Business and Tourism.  

The circular economy is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. In a circular economy, products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling and composting. 

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that Council is committed to developing and promoting the circular economy to diversify our local economy and support sustainability goals. 

“Given the economic and climate change challenges we face today, expanding circular economy practices is a practical step we can all take to build a healthier, stronger and more resilient economy, community and environment,” said Cr Hood.  

“This work is underpinned by our four-year Council Plan and Sustainable Hepburn Strategy, which was developed in partnership with the community,” he said. 

Council’s Circular Economy Officer will provide an overview of the circular economy and introduce the Hepburn Shire Circular Economy Business Toolkit, currently in its final stages of development. Attendees will be invited to be amongst the first to trial the toolkit when it is released later this year. 

The toolkit is full of strategies that businesses can deploy to improve their bottom line through designing out waste, keeping materials in circulation and regenerating natural systems. Over time the toolkit will expand to include many more local examples of circular economy businesses and practices.  

Designed for businesses of any size or sector, the toolkit will help businesses understand more about what the circular economy is, learn about circular strategies and how businesses and value chain partners can benefit from becoming more ‘circular’. 

“With the help of state and federal governments, we are designing local systems of production, procurement and service delivery that minimise waste and pollution and build economic, social and ecological resilience,” said Cr Hood. 

Taylor Hay, local entrepreneur, will be demonstrating an Injection Moulding machine which he has designed and has been selling to schools across Australia to turn plastic waste into useful objects. Taylor is working alongside Precious Plastic, a movement which originated in the Netherlands and has inspired innovation across the globe.  

Attendees will hear stories of other local Circular Economy champions and projects and will leave with a better understanding of what a transition to a circular economy might look like in Hepburn Shire.  

Council will also be hosting a networking event for business owners, operators and industries from across the Shire to celebrate the achievements of the year and build future connections. It will be held from 5.30pm on Tuesday 28 November. Register at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Business-networking