Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence

Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence

Environmental Services

Sydney - Broadway, NSW 3,356 followers

Accelerating the uptake of product stewardship in Australia.

About us

The Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence was established in December 2020 by a consortium of UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures, the Australian Industry Group and Dentsu Creative, in partnership with the Australian Government through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Product Stewardship enables companies, brands and retailers to reduce waste generation and improve environmental performance by taking primary responsibility for their products and services across the life-cycle and value chain. Product Stewardship is one of the key pathways for businesses to operationalise circular economy principles and objectives in a real-world context. The Centre supports and mentors companies to design-out waste while also keeping products and materials circulating in the economy. Core to the Centre’s work is webinars, training, workshops and guidance tools to help industry design and manufacture products so that they are easier to repair, reuse, recover and recycle. We provide input to the Australian Government on priority areas for stewardship action, as well as supporting businesses to get involved in a practical, business-oriented way, and help existing schemes to improve their performance. The Product Stewardship Excellence Awards delivered in 2021, 2022 and 2023 have been a highly successful vehicle to celebrate and acknowledge the best of the best in stewardship across categories covering people, products, materials, schemes, organisations, digitalisation and emissions reduction. Recognising companies and schemes that demonstrate best practice in product and materials stewardship will be a highlight of the Awards program. Cover photo credit: Ricardo Gomez Angel via UnSplash

Industry
Environmental Services
Company size
11-50 employees
Headquarters
Sydney - Broadway, NSW
Type
Educational
Founded
2020
Specialties
Product Stewardship, Circular Economy, Circular Design, Policy Development, Industry Engagement, Materials Sustainability, Product Sustainability, Extended Producer Responsibility, Training, Professional Development, Mentoring, Sustainable Design, EPR, Governance, Sustainable Product Design, Stakeholder Engagement, Life Cycle Thinking, and Circular Economy

Locations

Employees at Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence

Updates

  • Exciting News! Expanding the Centre’s board acknowledges the diverse skills and knowledge required to further accelerate the adoption of product stewardship in Australia. Strong purpose-oriented thinking, independence and real-world experience are essential when it comes to operationalising #circularity and having a positive impact.   To this end, the Centre is very pleased to announce that two new directors have been appointed to its board – Vaughan Levitzke PSM (R) and Steve Baty (L). Their contribution to the Centre will further inform, educate and activate key stakeholders across industries, sectors and communities.   Vaughan is a prominent sustainability professional, adviser, policy-maker and former CEO of Green Industries SA and Zero Waste South Australia. His longstanding contributions to environmental protection, product stewardship and the circular economy are highly regarded and his work continues as a member of the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group, Tyre Stewardship Australia and the Treated Timber Product Stewardship Group. He is a genuine systems-thinker and #changemaker.   Steve is Co-Founder of Meld Studios, former CEO of the Australian Design Council and co-author (with Martin Tomitsch) of #DesigningTomorrow – a landmark text that presents strategic design tactics focused on a range of themes including responsible innovation, systems-redesign, envisioning sustainable futures and implementing change. Steve understands that good design can deliver significant environmental outcomes while also adding value and building competitiveness.   Both Vaughan and Steve will be a great addition to the Centre’s board and our activities. They bring considerable experience through their work with diverse organisations as Australia forges new pathways that go beyond business-as-usual and incremental thinking.   #changemakers #productstewardship #sustainability #environment #circulareconomy #design #waste #wasteprevention #resourcerecovery #systemsthinking #SDG12 Australian Design Council Good Design Australia Tanya Plibersek NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Green Industries SA  Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) Inside Waste au Waste Management Review Sustainability Matters UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures Charitable Reuse Australia Clean Up Australia Ltd

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  • Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence reposted this

    To help close the digital divide this summer, MobileMuster is calling on Australians with an unused phone to rehome it with not-for-profit, The Reconnect Project. The Reconnect Project is a Sydney-based not-for-profit that repairs people’s unwanted tech and donates it to people who need it most, like refugees, domestic violence victims/survivors, or those experiencing homelessness. If they receive a phone that cannot be rehomed, it is recycled through MobileMuster. We have donated $10,000 to this wonderful organisation for December, and are calling on all Australian's to donate their old tech to The Reconnect Project, and help those in need. Visit https://lnkd.in/gVC_QSaj to donate today

  • Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence reposted this

    We’re thrilled to announce that MobileMuster has been reaccredited as a voluntary product stewardship arrangement for another five years! This milestone, awarded under the Recycling and Waste Reduction (Product Stewardship - Accreditation of Voluntary Arrangements) Rules 2020 by the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water, highlights our ongoing commitment to sustainable recycling practices.   This accreditation reflects the rigorous review of our activities and performance, reaffirming to the public that MobileMuster operates with the highest standards of ethics, responsibility, and sustainability.   As Australia’s leading mobile phone recycling program, we’re excited to continue recycling mobile phones, chargers, and accessories and select other e-waste. Together, we’re reducing waste and conserving valuable resources for a better future.   A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this achievement—your support and dedication made it all possible!

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  • We are very pleased to announce that GS1 Australia has joined the Centre’s Partnership Program to support effective stewardship actions across product lifecycles and throughout supply chains. Productive #collaboration with progressive organisations like GS1 Australia can create practical solutions and remove barriers to help deliver environmentally improved products, packaging and services. As a supporter, GS1 Australia demonstrates a purpose-oriented approach committed to positive outcomes. More information about the Centre’s Partnership Program and how it supports excellence in #productstewardship can be found here:  https://lnkd.in/gp9Fdycp #sustainability #partnership #barcodes #supplychainstandards #traceability #circulareconomy

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  • Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence reposted this

    You’re invited to join us for our B-cycle update webinar on the 5th of December from 11am-12pm! We’ll cover:  🔋 Positive Charge Annual Report highlights  ♻️ Updates on the Scheme Review process  🍃 Feedback-driven improvements shaping B-cycle 2.0 With input from 350+ participants across forums, meetings, and surveys, we’re evolving B-cycle to deliver practical, on-the-ground solutions. We’ll discuss eco-modulated levies, sustainability investments, collection and performance-based rebates and an expanded B-cycle scope & regulatory reforms. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and contribute, register via the link: https://lnkd.in/gMJdxfFg 

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  • Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence reposted this

    The global textile industry is 0.3% circular. 99% of the staggering 3.25 billion tonnes of materials consumed by the industry annually come from virgin sources. One-third of the ever-growing pile of cheap, low-quality clothing is never sold. Nearly two-thirds of textile waste goes straight to landfills or incinerators. The textile industry has been moving in the wrong direction, and overconsumption drivers like #BlackFriday are to blame. It's time to turn the tide. Six circular strategies hold the promise of a textile industry that is three times more circular and 50% less damaging to the environment. Are you ready for change? Discover actionable insights in Circle Economy’s Circularity Gap Report Textiles—the first comprehensive analysis of circularity in the global textile industry: https://lnkd.in/eYci3aS5 H&M Foundation #circulareconomy #circularitygapreport #textiles #fashion #circularfashion

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  • Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence reposted this

    Applications are now open for the role of Seamless permanent Independent Chair to help lead the transition to a circular clothing economy in Australia. With our establishment phase well progressed, Seamless Interim Chair, Rosanna Iacono, will be transitioning to her substantive role as an Independent Director and we are now seeking a permanent Independent Chair. This is a unique opportunity to drive impact in the clothing industry, working with a strong board of Directors, the Company Secretary, and the CEO, supported by two sub-committees. The Chair will play a pivotal role in steering strategy, ensuring accountability, and advocating for sector-wide transformation to achieve Seamless’s ambitious vision and purpose. For selection criteria and details on how to apply, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/gSig8U56

    Applications now open for Seamless Independent Chair - Seamless

    Applications now open for Seamless Independent Chair - Seamless

    seamlessaustralia.com

  • Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence reposted this

    Our new clothing benchmarking data reveals shifts in Australia’s clothing consumption. In 2023, Australians bought 12% less new clothing compared to 2018, and shopping for second-hand clothing increased. Yet, 222,000 tonnes of clothing still ended up in landfill, underscoring the urgent need for systemic change. Here are some of our key takeaways: 🔹 Australians are buying less clothing for the first time in 30 years: In 2023, 1.42 billion clothing items were sold—53 items per person—a 12% drop from 2018. However, this is still four times more than in 1993 - underscoring the long-term growth in clothing consumption. 🔹 Second-hand shopping and reuse are on the rise: 592 million garments were reused in 2023, with second-hand sales increasing by 18% to 240 million items. The most likely factors are growing environmental awareness and the impact of rising living costs. 🔹 Recycling efforts are improving: Recycling grew by 17% over the past five years, with 140 million garments recycled in 2023. This represents 10% of total clothing sold, leaving room for further innovation. 🔹 Landfill remains a critical issue: Despite a 4% reduction, 888 million clothing items (222,000 tonnes) were sent to landfill in Australia, alongside 9,000 tonnes discarded internationally. These figures make it clear: progress is happening, but systemic change is urgently needed to tackle the scale of clothing waste. Collaboration between governments, brands, retailers, and the recycling industry is essential to build a truly circular clothing economy. Read more and deep-dive into the data here | https://lnkd.in/g-TXheWT

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  • Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence reposted this

    An important milestone for ResiLoop has been achieved! The ACCC has authorised the industry's product stewardship scheme. While bringing participants of the supply chain together to address resilient flooring waste, ResiLoop has an appropriate scheme design, governance structure and reporting approach to enable it to deliver a net environmental benefit while maintaining healthy competition in the market. #ProductStewardship #ResilientFlooring #Recycling

    View organization page for ResiLoop, graphic

    234 followers

    We're thrilled to announce that the ACCC has released its Final Determination on ResiLoop, giving us the green light to operate our voluntary, industry-led product stewardship scheme, supporting our mission to enable a more circular future for floorcoverings in Australia. The ACCC recognises businesses may need to collaborate to address sustainability challenges, particularly to achieve scale faster, or where individual businesses don't have the incentive or ability to address environmental impacts on their own. However, such collaboration between businesses must not breach Australian competition law or substantially lessen competition. The Commission considers that ResiLoop, as a collaborative effort of supply chain participants, is likely to result in material environmental and economic benefits through: • increasing the volumes of resilient flooring diverted from landfill; • research and development into effective uses of resilient flooring waste;  • pricing that better reflects the cost of disposal of resilient flooring and • potential employment opportunities as a result. The ACCC notes that without the Scheme, industry funding to undertake R&D into resilient flooring recycling practices and new end products is likely to be minimal. Collaboration is at the heart of ResiLoop, and when ResiLoop members come together, our focus is on addressing our products' waste and building circular industry solutions, while reinforcing a commitment to good governance and ethical behaviour. The ACCC is satisfied that ResiLoop has the governance structures and procedures in place to uphold competition. It has granted authorisation for 6 years, as sought. Through our Scheme's approach, we’re demonstrating that collaboration can drive the industry forward while preserving a healthily competitive market. Read the Final Determination here: https://lnkd.in/g3-ycMvs For more information on how we can work together to strengthen circularity in Australia, please email us at info@resiloop.org.au #ResiLoop #CircularEconomy #CollectiveAction #floorcoverings #ProductStewardship

    Final Determination - PR - 21.11.24 - AA1000775 ResiLoop Limited_0.pdf

    Final Determination - PR - 21.11.24 - AA1000775 ResiLoop Limited_0.pdf

    accc.gov.au

  • Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence reposted this

    View organization page for GS1 Australia, graphic

    6,868 followers

    👕 200,000 tonnes of clothing end up in Australian landfills each year—nearly 4 Sydney Harbour Bridges! That’s why we support the Seamless initiative to create a circular clothing industry by 2030. At GS1 Australia, we believe circularity starts with product identification and traceability, making sustainable practices seamless for brands, consumers, and our planet. Learn more about GS1 sustainability ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gQ7bCYqG #SeamlessInitiative #GS1Australia #CircularEconomy #ResponsibleFashion #SustainableFuture

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