Planet Ark sees Australia’s future as deeply dependent on a circular economy transition, and the three core circular economy principles—designing out waste and pollution, keeping materials in use, and regenerating natural systems—have long underpinned our programs. From National Recycling Week and Cartridges 4 Planet Ark to National Tree Day and The Seedling Bank, and newer initiatives like the Product Stewardship Hub, we continue to work with government, industry and the Australian community to design systems-level change promoting circularity.

Among our more recent programs is the Australian Circular Economy Hub (ACE Hub), launched in November 2020. In just a few years, the ACE Hub has hosted and participated in hundreds of events and webinars, and enabled numerous collaborations, quickly becoming the national reference platform for circular economy knowledge and collaboration. It has become a catalyst for action - offering CIRCO circular design training, producing research showcasing exemplary case studies, and co-hosting the Circularity conference series.

As Planet Ark restructures, the ACE Hub will enter a new chapter. The 2024-2026 ACE Hub Strategy includes four pillars — Educate, Measure, Advocate and Collaborate. Moving forward, we will continue with a focus on our Educate and Collaborate pillars with a range of activities for you to engage with. These include:

• Sharing a bi-monthly newsletter,

• Continuing the website with updates to follow,

• Supporting the delivery of the inaugural ReGen Expo in Sydney 23/24 July,

• Delivering CIRCO Australia training under a sponsorship model,

• Launching a new research project in partnership with KPMG on circular strategies for decarbonisation,

• Sustaining the 2400+ members on the ACE Hub Portal to support collaboration, with a new member-supported contribution model to be announced.

Planet Ark is proud of what the ACE Hub has achieved since its launch. From forging partnerships with international leaders like Holland Circular Hotspot, to representing the Australia’s circular economy community in key forums such as the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group, hosting missions and study tours, contributing to a range of working groups and advisory bodies, and reaching many thousands of supporters. These activities represent a strong foundation that can support future progress as Australia progresses towards a circular economy.

As part of the ACE Hub’s restructure, Planet Ark will bid farewell to Dr Nicole Garofano, who has led the program since 2021. As Nicole concludes her tenure, we want to thank her for her tireless dedication to sharing circular economy knowledge and understanding across so many fora. Her passion for the ACE Hub and the circular economy community has been remarkable.

Planet Ark would also like to extend gratitude to all the staff, Advisory Board members, Working Group members, supporters, and partners who have brought the ACE Hub to life—your many contributions have been invaluable. Importantly, the ACE Hub would not exist without the vision of Planet Ark Co-founder Paul Klymenko whose drive and commitment have been unwavering.

While the ACE Hub’s offering will be different moving forwards, Planet Ark remains firmly committed to the circular economy as its guiding priority. For now, we invite you to keep connected, share with the ACE Hub Portal community any news items to catalyse connection that supports the circular economy transition, subscribe to the newsletter, and be in touch if CIRCO training can help your organisation or value chain with the transition. Please also keep an eye out for the launch of our Thrive to 45 research with KPMG later in the year.

In the meantime, if you have an interesting circular project concept, please visit our Founding Partners page here to get in touch. Thank you for standing with us as we continue this important work together.