Adopting Circular Design from Inception

Accelerating producer responsibility in Australia demands a deliberate and bold shift towards design for circular procurement. While rapid industry wide change is desirable, true progress often occurs incrementally, product by product. To drive meaningful, lasting change, every decision must powerfully integrate commercial viability, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability.

Products need intentional design strategies prioritising durability, reuse, repair, and recycling. Clear, consistent regulatory frameworks empower manufacturers and designers, fostering confidence to embed circular economy principles into their processes.

Circular procurement embedded in government and corporate purchasing can profoundly reshape market behaviour. When procurement actively prioritises products designed for sustainability, innovation thrives. Infrastructure and development projects demonstrate how setting sustainability focused procurement criteria can trigger substantial shifts toward better, more responsible product designs.

Collaboration at the industry level amplifies impact significantly. Collective investment in infrastructure, innovation, and circular design principles transforms environmental challenges into opportunities, enhancing product lifecycle outcomes.

Critical decisions made at the design phase echo throughout a product’s lifecycle. Adopting circular design from inception reduces waste, conserves resources, and maximises value. Producer responsibility, underpinned by strategic procurement and collective industry action, compels manufacturers to fundamentally rethink products, driving sustainable results that benefit business, consumers, and the environment alike.

Action is vital—embracing a focused, pragmatic approach that balances commercial interests, social responsibility, and sustainability will propel Australia towards robust, impactful producer responsibility.

Royston Kent
Chief Executive Officer
B&C Plastics