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The Circular Economy Transition in Australia: Nuanced Circular Intermediary Accounts of Mainstream Green Growth Claims

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  • Gavin Melles

    (School of Architecture and Industrial Design, Swinburne University, Melbourne 3122, Australia)

Abstract

Australia has recently declared its commitment to a Circular Economy. Policy and initiatives to date have focused on recycling and waste management and research to date has highlighted the need for more ambitious policy, clearer definitions, collaboration, and consensus on goals. There are also calls from some government and non-business sectors for more inclusive, circular models, including Doughnut Economics. In the context of a competing mainstream Circular Economy and inclusive circular society discourses, circular intermediary organizations and their representatives are key to achieving change. Compared to the green growth business narrative of policy and industry media, intermediary representatives are aware of the diversity of challenges and solutions for Australia. Based on semi-structured interviews with twenty representatives of circular intermediaries in Australia and thematic discourse analysis, this study finds Circular Economy, circular society, and de-growth discourses informing themes about government, business, growth, consumers, society, and policy present and future. Arguing for a more nuanced view of the discursive and practice-based complexities of the circular transition, the study concludes with recommendations for a more holistic policy and practice beyond the current circularity for circularity’s sake.

Suggested Citation

  • Gavin Melles, 2023. "The Circular Economy Transition in Australia: Nuanced Circular Intermediary Accounts of Mainstream Green Growth Claims," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:19:p:14160-:d:1247145
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gavin Melles & Suresh Gautam & Richan Shrestha, 2025. "Circular Economy for Nepal’s Sustainable Development Ambitions," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Riccardo Armillei & Bruce Wilson & Jessica Reeves, 2025. "Embedding a Circular Economy through Local Government in Gippsland: A Case Study, Utilising Smart Specialisation Methodology," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(2), pages 851-871, April.
    3. Yusuf Berkay Metinal & Gulden Gumusburun Ayalp, 2025. "Uncovering Barriers to Circular Construction: A Global Scientometric Review and Future Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-50, February.
    4. Gavin Melles & Suresh Gautam & Richan Shrestha, 2025. "Towards a Sustainable Circular Economy (SCE) for Nepal: Current Realities and Perspectives," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-17, September.

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