Stakeholder Guide - Engaging Communities in Circular Economy
What is Circular Economy?
A circular economy is a whole-system approach that minimises waste, reuses materials, and regenerates natural systems. It shifts away from the take-make-dispose model by designing out waste and valuing materials at every stage of a product’s life cycle. Key principles include:
Designing Out Waste – Preventing waste from being generated in the first place.
Slowing the Loop – Extending product lifespans through repair and reuse.
Closing the Loop – Capturing valuable materials for reuse.
Regenerating Nature – Moving from resource extraction to restoration and sustainability.
The role of Community Engagement
Circular economy is a broad and interconnected model that relies upon numerous stakeholders. Circular economy is a goal that we are moving towards and because of the complex nature of modern supply chains it can be challenging for local communities, consumers, and businesses to implement these practices effectively. Using community engagement in circular economy projects is essential to untangle this web and get consumers and households on board.
We have had the pleasure of working with a number of communities and organisations to involve communities in reducing waste to landfill, take up circular economy practices and push for sustainable change in the ways we manage ‘waste’. Community engagement plays a crucial role in:
Encouraging consumer participation and behaviour change.
Informing policy development with real-world insights.
Building public trust and increasing program success rates.
Creating economic opportunities through innovation and partnerships.
Community Engagement to support stronger outcomes
Stronger policies & more effective solutionsEnsures policies are practical, identifying support needs and real barriers to change.
Gains community support for proposed changes and sustainable outcomes.
Creates a program that responds to and is suitable for the local context.
Allows an opportunity to test a method or new program with the community before rolling it out.
Business & economic opportunitiesBuilds awareness among community members about local sustainable businesses
Stakeholder engagement supports convening of like minded businesses and fosters partnerships
Builds social license to operate
Understand market preferences
Building trust and buy-in Provides an opportunity to test and tweak options with communities before implementation
Community feedback and contributions to shaping projects will result in greater trust and uptake of an intervention or change
Community ownership and commitment.
Reduces resistance and smooths implementation of new systems.
Increased participation & behaviour changeBuilds awareness of circular systems and sustainability.
Inspires lasting behaviour change through shared ideas and ownership.
Building a culture of low waste behaviours
In our experience, a common concern is that waste is created further back in the supply chain, leaving individuals and communities without the tools to manage it effectively. This said, consumer demand is powerful. Through the circular economy and waste projects we’ve worked on, we’ve found that landfill concerns resonate strongly with communities. Waste is something people feel passionate about and connected to—making it a fertile ground for change.
Engaging local communities can push for meaningful solutions; development of local organisations or networks, local businesses, advocate for reform and eco-friendly policies such as: bans on single-use plastics, extended producer responsibility laws, and incentives for sustainable packaging.
Common barriers to circular economy practices
Some of the common challenges to participation in circular economy practices we have noticed among community members are:
Cost of Living – People opt for smaller, cheaper packages, making bulk purchasing difficult.
Access – Limited availability of circular economy businesses, drop-off points, or composting spaces.
Waste Education – Uncertainty about sorting waste, packaging materials, and disposal methods.
Time Constraints – People may lack the time to engage in sustainable practices.
Skills Gap – Many lack knowledge in repairing, composting, or growing food.
Apathy – Perception that the system is broken or recycling infrastructure is insufficient.
Common community messages to decision makers
Communities frequently advocate for:
Stronger Product Stewardship – Holding corporations accountable for waste reduction.
More Drop-off Points – Conveniently located recycling and waste collection stations.
Economic Development – More innovation in repurposing waste and job creation in reuse and repair.
Community Support – Skill-sharing opportunities, swap meets, and repair days.
Infrastructure for Circular Economy – Maker spaces, storage for reusable materials, and processing centers.
Cultural Inclusion – Recognising Indigenous knowledge as a foundation for waste education and sustainability planning.
Strengths-Based Approach: Celebrate, Inspire, Educate
When undertaking circular economy projects with communities, Conversation Co found the best approach to be a strengths based one. We develop our engagements to work with households and communities where they're at.
CelebrateMany people already practice circular economy principles daily, such as mending clothes, composting, and reducing waste. Recognising these actions as valuable contributions is the perfect launching point for tackling what can be seen as a top-down, complex or even frightening issue.
InspireSharing success stories, personal tips and tricks can make circular economy participation exciting and rewarding. This is also a good way to build social connection between people. Partnering with local organisations in this space can add value for participants; learning a new skill or getting an item repaired. It encourages involvement and can create a memorable experience.
Educate Shifting from a take-make-dispose model to a circular economy requires clear communication and collaboration. Circular economy education must support regular business as usual waste education and be provided in multiple formats so that it is accessible for all. Use plain language, pictures, hands on demonstrations and practical how to guides. It's also worth noting that particular groups have unique knowledge and skill sets that could support circular economy education and build social/wellbeing outcomes at the same time. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been practicing circular economy and caring for Country for thousands of years and should be included as leaders in CE education. Older people are often highly skilled in reuse, repurpose and repair- why not create an intergenerational program? People from diverse cultural backgrounds bring unique insights into how waste is managed in other contexts, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel when we can adopt knowledges from across the globe.
Conclusion
Transitioning to a circular economy isn’t just a technical challenge, it’s a cultural shift. Engaging communities and businesses early and often ensures waste initiatives are effective, inclusive, and built for long-term success.
View our Engagement Summary Report for Regional Circular Economy Plans — Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).Read our in-depth case studies on Circular Economy projects.