8:00AM – 9:00AM
Registration and Networking Breakfast
Start your day by connecting with fellow participants including speakers over breakfast.
9:00AM – 10:30AM
Opening of Forum and Keynote Presentations
Welcome and opening of the Forum followed by keynote presentations.
Hear from The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water in conversation with John Gertsakis, Director of the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence. More than a QandA, this open-ended dialogue will discuss the challenging issues, opportunities, and reforms underway to help deliver real world circularity and producer responsibility across the product lifecycle.
Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director for Circular Economy in the European Commission (online) will report on landmark policies, directives, and regulations being applied by members of the European Union.
Three separate panel discussions will be facilitated by Claire Kneller, Managing Director of WRAP Asia Pacific. Time has been allocated to allow and encourage questions from Forum delegates.
10:30AM – 12:00PM
Panel Discussion Session
DESIGN & PRODUCTION | MATERIALS, DESIGN, MANUFACTURING
Hear from panelists on specific policies, programs, and business actions that drive responsible supply chain practices, including circular product and service design, more sustainable material choices, efficient resource use, emissions reduction, avoidance of unsafe chemicals, and reuse of recovered materials. Speakers include:
Matjaž Malgaj | Head of Unit & Coordinator of the Sustainable Products Initiative, European Commission (online)
Steve Baty | Chief Executive Officer, Australian Design Council
Audrey Chinn | Senior Adviser, Telstra Corporation
Sebastien Ng | National Sales Manager Solar Energy, Fronius Australia
Katherine Featherstone | Senior Manager – Products & Materials, Green Building Council of Australia
12:00PM – 1:00PM
Networking Lunch
Enjoy a networking lunch to foster connections and discuss key takeaways from the first half of the day.
1:00PM – 2.30PM
Panel Discussion Session
CONSUMPTION | USE, REUSE, REPAIR, RETAIL
Hear from panelists on specific policies, regulations, programs, and business actions that can extend the life of products, foster repair and reuse, educate consumers, and incentivise more sustainable behaviours. Innovative business models focused on waste prevention will also be explored and discussed. Speakers include:
Jennifer Macklin | Senior Research Officer, BehaviourWorks Australia
Ainsley Simpson | Chief Executive Officer, Seamless | Australia’s Clothing Stewardship Scheme
Professor Leanne Wiseman | Griffith Law School & Convenor of the Australian Repair Network
David Woollcott | Chief Executive Officer, King Living Furniture
3:00PM – 4:30PM
Panel Discussion Session
POST CONSUMPTION | END OF LIFE
Hear from panelists on specific policies, regulations, programs, and business actions covering product take-back of used products, collection and logistics, material recovery and recycling, as well as establishing new markets for recovered products, parts, and materials. Speakers include:
Pablo Dias | Cofounder and CTO, Solarcycle Inc. (online)
Libby Chaplin | Chief Executive Officer, Battery Stewardship Council
Vaughan Levitzke PSM | Member of the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group
Danielle Smalley | Chief Executive Officer, Exchange for Change
Tony Chappel | CEO, NSW EPA
4:30PM – 5:00PM
Closing Keynote Address and Remarks
Pete Shmigel from Uplift Consulting and a general hand at Revolve ReCYCLING will wrap up the Forum with a solution-oriented address including reflections on the day’s activities.
Louise McGrath, the Head of Industry Development and Policy at the Australian Industry Group will also share some closing remarks.
5:00PM – 7:00 PM
Networking Drinks
Close your day with a relaxed networking event to further engage with fellow participants, fostering new relationships and reflecting on the day’s sessions. MC for the evening will be Professor Damien Giurco from the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS.