Leading the Circular Economy category
The University of Sydney has redefined waste management by focusing not only on infrastructure, but on behaviour. Faced with contamination challenges in its closed-loop food waste system, the University deployed a behaviourally informed signage intervention, co-designed with Master of Sustainability students, to improve sorting at bin stations. Launched during Welcome Fest alongside a peer-led Waste Ambassador program, the initiative used evidence-based behaviour change techniques such as visual prompts, gamification, and social norming to support correct disposal. The result: up to a 50% drop in food waste contamination and a 2.5-fold increase in food waste recovery. The initiative has since influenced schools, councils, and other universities – demonstrating that behaviour change can unlock the full potential of circular systems.
Environmental and Social Benefits
- Reduced food waste contamination at key bin stations by up to 50%, improving the effectiveness of the University’s biodigester and enhancing the value of recovered organics.
- Increased food waste recovery by 2.5 times, keeping more material in the circular loop and reducing emissions from landfill and waste transport.
- Strengthened resource efficiency by improving sorting accuracy, reducing the need for additional services, and maximising existing infrastructure investment.
Leadership and Engagement
- Developed through cross-functional collaboration with student researchers, operations staff, cleaners, and the Open Spaces team, creating a truly integrated solution.
- Engaged over 2,000 students via the peer-led Waste Ambassador program, which modelled positive behaviours and normalised circular practices.
- Amplified student leadership and learning by translating applied academic research into a live intervention, enabling students to lead both in design and on-ground delivery.
Significance to the Sector
- Offers a low-cost, high-impact alternative to infrastructure investment, showing how behaviourally informed design can uplift existing circular systems.
- Presents a replicable model that has already been shared with schools, councils, and other institutions seeking to improve waste outcomes through education and visual cues.
- Demonstrates how applied research and student engagement can drive scalable, operational change – reinforcing the value of universities as test beds for circular innovation.
Wider Societal Impact
- Builds behaviour change capacity through publicly shared templates and case studies that other organisations can adopt and adapt.
- Empowers students with communication and leadership skills relevant to roles in sustainability, education, and public policy.
- Reinforces the idea that everyone, from students to cleaners, has a role to play in creating circular, low-waste communities.
Top 3 learnings
Supported by
Category finalists
Leading the Circular Economy
Leading the Circular Economy
Leading the Circular Economy
Leading the Circular Economy
Leading the Circular Economy
Leading the Circular Economy
Leading the Circular Economy category
The University of Sydney has redefined waste management by focusing not only on infrastructure, but on behaviour. Faced with contamination challenges in its closed-loop food waste system, the University deployed a behaviourally informed signage intervention, co-designed with Master of Sustainability students, to improve sorting at bin stations. Launched during Welcome Fest alongside a peer-led Waste Ambassador program, the initiative used evidence-based behaviour change techniques such as visual prompts, gamification, and social norming to support correct disposal. The result: up to a 50% drop in food waste contamination and a 2.5-fold increase in food waste recovery. The initiative has since influenced schools, councils, and other universities – demonstrating that behaviour change can unlock the full potential of circular systems.
Top 3 learnings
Environmental and Social Benefits
- Reduced food waste contamination at key bin stations by up to 50%, improving the effectiveness of the University’s biodigester and enhancing the value of recovered organics.
- Increased food waste recovery by 2.5 times, keeping more material in the circular loop and reducing emissions from landfill and waste transport.
- Strengthened resource efficiency by improving sorting accuracy, reducing the need for additional services, and maximising existing infrastructure investment.
Leadership and Engagement
- Developed through cross-functional collaboration with student researchers, operations staff, cleaners, and the Open Spaces team, creating a truly integrated solution.
- Engaged over 2,000 students via the peer-led Waste Ambassador program, which modelled positive behaviours and normalised circular practices.
- Amplified student leadership and learning by translating applied academic research into a live intervention, enabling students to lead both in design and on-ground delivery.
Significance to the Sector
- Offers a low-cost, high-impact alternative to infrastructure investment, showing how behaviourally informed design can uplift existing circular systems.
- Presents a replicable model that has already been shared with schools, councils, and other institutions seeking to improve waste outcomes through education and visual cues.
- Demonstrates how applied research and student engagement can drive scalable, operational change – reinforcing the value of universities as test beds for circular innovation.
Wider Societal Impact
- Builds behaviour change capacity through publicly shared templates and case studies that other organisations can adopt and adapt.
- Empowers students with communication and leadership skills relevant to roles in sustainability, education, and public policy.
- Reinforces the idea that everyone, from students to cleaners, has a role to play in creating circular, low-waste communities.
Supported by
Category finalists
Leading the Circular Economy
Leading the Circular Economy
Leading the Circular Economy
Leading the Circular Economy
Leading the Circular Economy
Leading the Circular Economy
