CSRIO program to boost innovation in recycling and circular economy

Small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working in the recycling and circular economy sector, are invited to apply for CSIRO’s latest eight week ‘Innovate to Grow’ program.

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, in partnership with Deakin University’s Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH), will deliver the program designed to help Australian SMEs advance their research goals.

Led by experienced researchers, the program promises to help participants examine technical challenges, explore research and development (R&D) opportunities, and develop actionable business and funding plans for their R&D idea.

Since its launch in 2020, the program has equipped more than 600 SMEs with the knowledge and tools required to progress their R&D opportunities.

Dr Deborah Lau, CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste Research Lead, said it’s critical to bring science and industry together to create circular pathways for plastics and other recyclable waste.

“Over 9.5 billion tonnes of plastic waste have been produced globally since 1950, with only nine per cent recycled each year. This is commercially and environmentally unsustainable,” said Lau.

“Working with SMEs is essential to unlocking R&D opportunities that accelerate breakthroughs in science and technology.

“Through this program, we aim to spark innovation that will shape a sustainable circular ecosystem for plastics and waste through recycling, redesign and reuse.”

Little Green Panda, a company turning agricultural waste into biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics, participated in CSIRO’s 2023 program.

Manon Beauchamp-Tardieu, Founder and Managing Director, Little Green Panda, said they made lots of progress during the duration of the program.

“We came up with a direction for steps we need to do and the people we need to speak to in order to get this project kickstarted,” said Beauchamp-Tardieu.

The program is open to SMEs working in: