Aidan Curtis
REGIONAL Development Australia Limestone Coast (RDALC) has teamed up with Green Industries South Australia (GISA) on a report that aims to highlight how a circular economy model could benefit both the community and the planet.
The Circular Economy Opportunities Limestone Coast report was officially launched on Monday, November 14 to show how a different way of thinking could pose opportunities for people in the region.
Some of the opportunities listed in the report include how primary producers could make use of waste products to benefit livestock and crops, and how plastics could be repurposed instead of sent to landfill.
The launch included talks from businesses in the region who have been leading the way in reuse and recycling models, including Bio Gro in Mount Gambier and Transmutation in Robe.
GISA chief executive Ian Overton said the crux of the report was to show how a move from the original linear economic model, which centred on “take, make, waste”, could be beneficial for people and the environment.
“So instead of just taking products from the Earth, using them up for a short period of time and then putting them in the ground, we want to keep products in use for as long as possible,” he said.
“That will reduce our impacts on the Earth through extractions and waste, and it will keep those materials in use and provide economic opportunities for growth and jobs.”
Dr Overton said ideally the whole world would adopt a circular economy and regional communities could be the ones to kick things into gear.
“We’ve been really surprised at the innovation that’s coming from regional areas,” he said.
“They can see that opportunity to make a change and they’re not afraid to start small, which is really important to just get going.
“Also then that means a lot of opportunities for small businesses to grow, and for businesses to become more circular.”
RDALC chief executive David Wheaton said the report was a good way to “really dive into what’s happening across the region” to showcase how businesses are making the most of circular opportunities.
“It really was to take that overview of the region and then be able to initiate conversations all across the Limestone Coast about where we see those opportunities might be,” Mr Wheaton said.
“The hard bit now is for businesses, councils and others to help realise those opportunities.”
Both Mr Overton and Mr Wheaton said the next steps now that the report has been launched are to engage the local community and put them in touch with the right people or funding to encourage new ideas in how to capitalise on a circular economy model.
