A conceptual framework for a broader understanding of the commercial opportunities presented by end-of-life goods through reuse.
ANZAM Conference 2025 – Presentation Notes
Slide 1
Slide 2
“How materials recirculate is as important as whether they recirculate” (2.1)
End-of-life can lead to a misconception that goods no longer retain value (2.2)
If we consider the ultimate goal of a circular economy to be a closed loop, where new resources are not required (2.3), then we must acknowledge that not all CE activities are of equal circularity.
2.1 – Valentine, S.V. (2024) Putting the ‘economy’ back in the circular economy. Bus. Strateg. & the Environ., 33(7). https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3804
2.2 – Fan, S-K. Fan, C. Yang, J-H. Liu, F-R. (2013). Disassembly and recycling cost analysis of waste notebook and the efficiency improvement by re-design process. J.of Clean.Prod., 39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.08.014
2.3 – Ellen Macarthur Foundation. (n.d.). What is a circular economy?. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview
Slide 3
Several literature reviews have recently been undertaken on CE frameworks and definitions (3.1)
This high level of inconsistency in frameworks reflects findings in R imperative specific studies, (3.2) including difficulty in determining a predominant framework (3.3)
Despite recognised challenges, caused by highly variable understanding of Re words (3.4)
Over half of the frameworks identified, showed no clear hierarchy (3.5) of circularity.
Only 3 frameworks attempted to manage these language challenges (3.6) by grouping imperatives around common characteristics.
It was also noted, that many current circular economy frameworks fail to set themselves in relationship with the earlier examples, or illustrate the reasons for their conceptualisation, making it difficult to define their relative value (3.7)
3.1 – Zorpas, A. (2024) The hidden concept and the beauty of multiple “R” in the framework of waste strategies development reflecting to circular economy principles. Sci.of the Total Env., 952. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175508
Uvarova, I. Atstaja, D. Volkova, T. Grasis, J. Ozolina-Ozola, I. (2023) The typology of 60R circular economy principles and strategic orientation of their application in business. J.of Clean.Prod., 409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137189
Kirchherr, J. Reike, D. Hekkert, M. (2017). Conceptualizing the circular economy: an analysis of 114 definitions. Resour.Conserv.Recycl., 127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.09.005
Kirchherr, J. Yang, N.H.N,. Schulze-Spüntrup, F. Heerink, M.J. Hartley, K. (2023b) Conceptualizing the circular economy (revisited): an analysis of 221 definitions. Resour.Conserv.Recycl., 194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107001
3.2 – Reike, D. Vermeulen, W.J.V. Witjes, S. (2018). The circular economy: New or Refurbished as CE 3.0? — Exploring Controversies in the Conceptualization of the Circular Economy through a Focus on History and Resource Value Retention Options. Res.,Conserv. & Recycl., 135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.08.027
3.3 – Zotti, J. Bigano, A., (2019) Write circular economy, read economy’s circularity. How to avoid going in circles. Ecomania Politica, 36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40888-019-00145-9
3.4 – Kirchherr, J. Yang, N.H.N,. Schulze-Spüntrup, F. Heerink, M.J. Hartley, K. (2023) Conceptualizing the circular economy (revisited): an analysis of 221 definitions. Resour.Conserv.Recycl., 194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107001
Reike, D. Vermeulen, W.J.V. Witjes, S. (2018). The circular economy: New or Refurbished as CE 3.0? — Exploring Controversies in the Conceptualization of the Circular Economy through a Focus on History and Resource Value Retention Options. Res.,Conserv. & Recycl., 135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.08.027
3.5 – Reike, D. Vermeulen, W.J.V. Witjes, S. (2018). The circular economy: New or Refurbished as CE 3.0? — Exploring Controversies in the Conceptualization of the Circular Economy through a Focus on History and Resource Value Retention Options. Res.,Conserv. & Recycl., 135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.08.027
3.6 – Gobert, J. Allais, R. Deroubaix, J. (2021). Repair and reuse: Misalignments between stakeholders and possible users. J.of Clean.Prod., 317, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128454
3.7 – Zotti, J. Bigano, A., (2019) Write circular economy, read economy’s circularity. How to avoid going in circles. Ecomania Politica, 36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40888-019-00145-9
Slide 4
Value Retention Options (4.1)
Resource States (4.2)
Circular Strategies (4.3)
Circular Strategies highlighted as the most advanced of the 9R frameworks (4.4)
4.1 – Reike, D. Vermeulen, W.J.V. Witjes, S. (2018). The circular economy: New or Refurbished as CE 3.0? — Exploring Controversies in the Conceptualization of the Circular Economy through a Focus on History and Resource Value Retention Options. Res.,Conserv. & Recycl., 135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.08.027
4.2 – Blomsma, F. Tennant, M. (2020). Circular economy: Preserving materials or products? Introducing the Resource States framework. Res.,Conserv. & Recycl., 156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104698
4.3 – Potting, J. Hekkert, M.P. Worrell, E. Hanemaaijer, A. (2017). Circular Economy: Measuring innovation in the product chain. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319314335_Circular_Economy_Measuring_innovation_in_the_product_chain
4.4 – Kirchherr, J. Reike, D. Hekkert, M. (2017). Conceptualizing the circular economy: an analysis of 114 definitions. Resour.Conserv.Recycl., 127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.09.005
Slide 5
The noted research gap present in the central category, Value-Added Reuse (5.1)
5.1 – D’Urzo, M. Campagnaro, C. (2023). Design-led repair & reuse: An approach for an equitable, bottom-up, innovation-driven circular economy. J.of Clean.Prod., 387, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135724
Slide 6
Substantial consideration has been given to ways to improve linear design to facilitate reuse (6.1)
Reverse or closed loop logistics (6.2)
Substantial growth in discourse on improving production efficiency, increased product durability, and developments in recycling (6.3)
A significant gap remains, in literature relating to Value-Added Reuse (6.4)
6.1 – Arnette, A. Brewer, B. Choal, T. (2014). Design for sustainability (DFS): the intersection of supply chain and environment, J.of Clean.Prod., 83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.07.021
6.2 – Miao, Z. Fu, K. Xia, Z. Wang, Y. (2017). Models for closed-loop supply chain with trade-ins. Omega, 66(B). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2015.11.001
6.3 – Fan, S-K. Fan, C. Yang, J-H. Liu, F-R. (2013). Disassembly and recycling cost analysis of waste notebook and the efficiency improvement by re-design process. J.of Clean.Prod., 39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.08.014
6.4 – Zhang, J. Bhuiyan, M. Zhang, G. Sandanayake, M. (2024). Life cycle assessment of kerbside waste material for an open-looped and closed-loop production– towards circular economy designs. J.of Clean.Prod., 434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139991
Slide 7
Of the 66% of resources we currently recover, 95% are recovered through recycling (7.1)
A German study, exploring electronics, furniture and sporting goods, received at various resource recovery centres, identified that around 80% of resources arriving at these centres, were suitable for reuse at the time of their disposal (7.2)
Around a quarter of Australians have disposed of clothing after a single use (7.3)
7.1 – Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (n.d.), Resource recovery and waste material analysis https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/publications/national-waste-resource-recovery-reporting/resource-recovery-waste-material-analysis-2024
7.2 – Messmann, L. Boldoczki, S. Thorenz, A. Tuma, A. (2019). Potentials of preparation for reuse: A case study at collection points in the German state of Bavaria, J.of Clean.Prod., 211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.11.264
7.3 – YouGov. (2017, December 06). Fast fashion: Three in ten Aussies have thrown away clothing after wearing it just once, https://au.yougov.com/society/articles/19819-fast-fashion
Slide 8
Value-Added Reuse could easily be perceived as a small or cottage industry (8.1)
$4.1B Australian antiques and used goods sector turnover (8.2), nearly 1/3 the size of Australia’s recycling sector (8.7)
Australian car dealers sell nearly 2/3 as many used cars as they do new, turning over $19.8B (8.3)
38% of Australians having accessed mobile phone repair services (8.4)
Savers, turned over $1.7 billion US in the last financial year (8.5)
Only 5% of our resource retention currently comes from activities other than recycling (8.6)
8.1 – Pal, R. Samie, Y. Chizaryfard, A. (2021). Demystifying process-level scalability challenges in fashion remanufacturing: An interdependence perspective. J.of Clean.Prod., 286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125498
8.2 – IBISWorld. (n.d.) Antique and Used Goods Retailing in Australia – Market Research Report. https://www.ibisworld.com/australia/market-size/antique-and-used-goods-retailing/424/
Classifications – ABS https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/classifications/australian-and-new-zealand-standard-industrial-classification-anzsic/2006-revision-2-0/detailed-classification/g/42/427/4273
8.3 – Australian Automotive Dealer Association. Dealernomics Automotive Statistics. (2024) https://www.aada.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Dealernomics-Automotive-Statistics-2024-Final.pdf
8.4 – AMTA. AMTA Submission Productivity Commission (2021). https://amta.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AMTA-Submission-to-PC-Right-to-Repair-Feb-2021-Final.pdf
8.5 – Savers Value Village, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Financial Results. (2025) https://ir.savers.com/news/news-details/2025/Savers-Value-Village-Inc–Reports-Second-Quarter-Financial-Results/default.aspx
8.6 – Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (n.d.), Resource recovery and waste material analysis. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/publications/national-waste-resource-recovery-reporting/resource-recovery-waste-material-analysis-2024
8.7 – Australian Economic Advocacy Solutions. Australian Council of Recycling. (2023), The Ecoinomic Contribution of the Australian Recycling Industry. Australian Council of Recycling. https://acor.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/230523_economic_contribution_of_recycling_-_acor.pdf
Slide 9
Value Added Reuse activities are under-explored in literature (9.1)
9.1 – D’Urzo, M. Campagnaro, C. (2023). Design-led repair & reuse: An approach for an equitable, bottom-up, innovation-driven circular economy. J.of Clean.Prod., 387, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135724
Slide 10
Landfills reaching capacity (10.1)
Product stewardship legislation increasing (10.2)
Advancements in technology are enabling automation and labour reduction more cost effectively, in smaller production runs, and with greater allowance for variation, than ever before (10.3)
10.1 – Krausz, R. (2012). All for naught? A critical study of zero waste to landfill initiatives, PhD Thesis, Lincoln University. https://researcharchive.lincoln.ac.nz/entities/publication/03d7a21b-0dde-4950-9d4f-a82016a741ff
10.2 – Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence. (2024). Submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry Opportunities in the circular economy. https://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/388199/sub159-circular-economy.pdf
10.3 – Dolci, V. Bigliardi, B. Petroni, A. Pini, B. Filippelli, S. Tagliente, L. (2024). Integrating Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: A Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Manufacturing. Procedia Comput.Sci., 232, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2024.01.169
Slide 11