About this innovation challenge
A circular economy is about valuing and adding value to our resources. This means we can get as much use out of products and materials as possible. It also reduces how much waste we generate.
This can include:
- using recycled materials in manufacturing
- repairing household goods before buying new ones
- repurposing items that are no longer used.
Challenge statement
In this Smart City Innovation Challenge, we asked the emerging technology sector:
How might we generate, model and access precinct-level material usage, reuse, recycling and disposal data to support circular economy initiatives?
The aim of this challenge was to help us find new ways to generate comprehensive and accessible data insights so we can:
- measure, benchmark and track material usage, recycling and disposal across industries
- visualise the impacts and benefits of circular economy interventions across the entire product lifecycle
- identify and quantify opportunities across the material lifecycle
- help investors, businesses, utilities and governments identify circular economy opportunities
- evaluate the impact of past and current initiatives.
Status
In late 2022, Peclet Technology was awarded $1m through the Smart City Innovation Challenges to deliver a circular economy solution.
Peclet worked with government partners to develop a Circular Economy Data Portal proof-of-concept in 2023. The interactive portal uses data modelling to predict waste generated and shows businesses that might make use of the waste.
It has been tested in the Western Parkland City and Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO) region.
Local and state governments can now use the portal to develop circular economy strategies and drive new business opportunities in the two regions.
Find more information about the portal at Peclet Technology.