The CBR360 Symposium was a great success, inspiring the audience about why we need to transition to a circular economy and how we can go about it.
Led by a diverse array of expert and passionate speakers, the symposium stimulated conversations such as what initiatives are necessary to shift wasteful behaviour, how to have circular supply chains, and the various opportunities and benefits a circular economy will have for society and for nature. The presentations highlighted the value to businesses in establishing partnerships across sectors to exchange materials and develop technologies to solve mutual problems. We shone a spotlight on the community organisations and small businesses that are stepping up to fill gaps, change behaviour and press industries and governments to reform linear practices.
ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment Dr Sophie Lewis wrapped up the day by reminding us of the ecological imperative to reduce our resource footprint and urging us to put (self-selected) community organisations out of business by eliminating problem waste streams such as plastic lids.
We thank all of our speakers for generously donating their time and leading such thought-provoking and lively discussions.
Thanks to our generous sponsors and professional partners who enabled us to deliver a high-quality event: Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, The Green Shed, Icon Water, GHD, Light House Architecture & Science, Ginninderry, Deloitte, Limegreentangerine, Capital Brewing Co, Crux Media, Capital Scraps, Gather Catering, Elite Event Technology, and Kambri Cultural Centre.
Thanks also to our community partners, video case studies, stall holders and volunteers for contributing additional content, helping with promotion for the Symposium and running logistics on the day: Canberra Innovation Network, Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence, Salon Canberra, Monash University Sustainable Development Institute, ACT Government NoWaste, Zero Waste Revolution, Canberra Environment Centre, SEE-Change, Exchange for Change, Food2Soil, 360 Building Solutions, Community Toolbox Canberra, CirCloLink, Samsara Eco, Thor’s Hammer, Global Worming, 2XX FM community radio.
This all helped attract more than 175 participants from across the ACT’s business, government, academic and community sectors, and create a vibrant, energised event. We expect that the connections and conversations had on the day will help grow Canberra’s collaborative circular economy for the future.
What’s next?
We are preparing the recordings of the Symposium sessions for sharing online.
We are planning some smaller events over coming months to pick up on topics of interest – these will be a great opportunity to hear from organisations we couldn’t fit into the Symposium program.
In the meantime, if you attended the Symposium, please give us your feedback and contribute your ideas about a circular economy for the ACT region via this simple form. This will help our work advocating for a sustainable future.
Check out the resources on CBR360.org.au to take your next steps towards circularity, or let us know of any we should add.
See photos from the Symposium in our Flickr gallery.
Stay in the loop! We look forward to seeing what innovations emerge from the CBR360 community in the coming months!