A new awards program, The Circle Awards, will celebrate and unite the businesses, organisations, projects and people shaping the circular economy in Australia and New Zealand.
The Circle Awards aims to spotlight products and services adopting circular practices that span all aspects of our day-to-day lives. It also wants to shine a spotlight on the sustainable options available in the market for those interested in its implementation.
The World’s Most Rubbish (TWMR), in partnership with NSW Circular, The Bravery and Urban List, established the awards program.
“Many consumers and brands are already contributing towards a more circular world, sometimes without realising it,” says Nick Hoskin, co-founder of TWMR and The Circle Awards.
“While we’re hearing the terms circularity or the circular economy more than ever, the understanding of what this means, both in theory and practice, is limited.”
The Circle Awards is open to any product or service demonstrating circular practices across the following categories:
- Food and Drink
- Fashion
- Health and Beauty
- Events
- Architecture and Construction
- Transport and Travel
- Home, Garden and Utilities
- Lifestyle and Technology
- Art and Design
- Materials and Process
- Community
- Education and Research
- B2B
“The Circle Awards showcases tangible examples of circularity in action, demonstrating to people that we can consume more consciously without compromising on quality, cost or experience,” explains Hoskin.
“In fact, circular design thinking is behind some of the most interesting products and services on the market as a driving force for innovation.
“The result can be a far superior experience because every aspect in the process has been carefully considered to deliver the best possible outcome.”
A new study of 2000 Australian consumers titled The Power & The Passion, by leading change campaigners Republic of Everyone and The Bravery, with independent researchers Mobium Group, reveals the majority of Australians are already actively seeking out more conscious brands and products.
Alongside TWMR, The Circle Awards will be a way for people to learn more about circular practices, and support brands and businesses that align with their values.
“The Circle Awards is here to recognise and celebrate those making progress in this space, not just those doing it perfectly or on a large scale, with the awards open to a diverse range of entrants of all shapes and sizes,” Hoskin adds.
“Its aim is to unite those championing a better way of doing things for a better world, galvanising more people in the movement.”
A panel of expert judges will be on hand for proceedings, which includes: Hemant Chaudhary (Circular Economy Alliance Australia), Dean Foley (Baramayal), Damon Gameau (2040), John Gertsakis (Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence), Dr Brandon Gien (Good Design Australia), Jason Graham-Nye (gDiapers), James Griffin (Sustainable Business Network NZ), Sally Hill (Purpose Conference), Nick Hoskin (The World's Most Rubbish), Bruce Jeffreys (GoGet), Leanne Kemp (Everledger), Cat Kiv (Simpleish Living), Berry Liberman (Small Giants), Claire Maloney (The Bravery), Councillor Jess Miller (City of Sydney), Kate Nelson (Plastic Free Mermaid), Morgan Reardon (Urban List), Camille Reed (Australian Circular Textile Association), Anna Ross (Kester Black), Dr Kar Mei Tang (NSW Circular), Peter Tullin (REMIX Summits), Tamara Veltre (Breathe Architecture), Jen Walker (TerraCycle), and Andy Walsh (Secret Sounds).
“If the whole of Sydney Harbour were a landfill, we would fill it before 2040. Many of our landfills across the country will also be at capacity in that time,” warns Dr Kar Mei Tang, chief circular economist, NSW Circular.
“The circular economy provides a key solution for our waste crisis, but it also makes solid economic sense, and the only real option we have to grow our economy – to deliver productivity and resilience as we head into a resource constrained future.
“The Circle Awards will push circular models into the spotlight and help inspire the next generation of innovation leaders, while growing awareness and support with consumers to buy products created with circular principles.”
Submissions for Award entries opened 15 April and closes 14 May. Winners will be announced on 14 June.
For more information on guidelines and entry, visit The Circle Awards website.
