The University of Melbourne’s Closing the Loop: A Whole-of-Estate Circular Economy Program embeds circular economy principles across the University’s physical estate, from demolition and capital works to daily waste management, events, dining and student engagement. Rather than treating circular economy as a standalone initiative, the program integrates reuse, donation, recovery, procurement and behaviour change into the way the University builds, operates and connects with its community.

Building on the successful Choose to Reuse program and Furniture and Equipment Reuse Service (FERS), the University has expanded its circular economy approach into major capital works and estate operations. Recent achievements include 98% landfill diversion from the Brownless Library demolition, 95% diversion from AIID early works, 110 tonnes of furniture and equipment diverted from landfill at AIID, and the introduction of in-house electric waste collection operations.

Through contractual sustainability targets, reusable service ware, asset recovery, Indigenous procurement, volunteer engagement and transparent reporting, the University demonstrates how circular economy can be delivered at scale. The program creates environmental, financial and social value while influencing contractor behaviour and sector practice beyond the campus.