- Australians are calling for stronger action from businesses and government to make the circular economy more accessible and incentivising, with significant support for easier recycling/repair and financial incentives.
- A striking 89% of Australians believe circularity should be a priority for businesses and government in addressing environmental challenges, exceeding the global average of 86%.
A new study reveals a powerful mandate from Australians for businesses and government to prioritise the circular economy. BSI’s 2025 Global Circularity study, The Tipping Point: Building Trust in the Circularity Economy, developed in partnership with experts from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), reveals that a striking 89% of Australians believe circularity should be a priority for businesses and government in addressing environmental challenges, exceeding the global average of 86%.
This strong sentiment comes despite a global decline in the share of re-used materials entering the economy, which has fallen from 7.2% to 6.9% in recent years, even as 76% of people globally recognise their contribution to circularity.
A Clear Mandate for Action: Australians Want to Lead the Way on Circularity
The study underscores a strong desire among Australians for tangible benefits and systemic change within Australia for the circular economy. Australians are not just looking for awareness; they want practical, accessible solutions that make circularity convenient and financially rewarding.
A significant 59% of Australians want easier recycling/repair options, 11 percentage points higher than the global average of 48%. Furthermore, 60% desire money-back schemes for recycling, also notably higher than the global average. These figures highlight a strong appetite for policies and initiatives that directly address consumer needs and encourage participation.
While familiarity with the term “circularity” is moderate (29%), the desire for systemic change and tangible benefits is exceptionally high. Australians want to play their part, with 79% feeling their actions can contribute to circularity uptake. This personal responsibility is further reflected in their strong recycling habits, with 70% identifying as early adopters or majority participants in recycling, compared to 65% globally.
Commenting on the Australian findings, Charlene Loo, Managing Director of BSI Australia and New Zealand, said: “Australia has a unique opportunity to lead the way in the global circular economy transition. Our research shows an overwhelming majority of Australians believe circularity should be a key environmental priority for business and government. This isn’t just about environmental responsibility. It’s about building a more resilient and resource-efficient economy that benefits everyone. It’s time for businesses and government to translate this clear public desire into tangible action, building trust and demonstrating the genuine value and accessibility of circular solutions to accelerate our transition to a sustainable and resource-efficient future.”
Commenting on the report’s global findings, Susan Taylor Martin, Chief Executive, BSI said: “The circular economy presents an immense opportunity for both people and the planet, enabling us to protect natural resources and reap economic benefits. Yet trust remains a crucial barrier to adoption. While consumers routinely weigh price and quality in their purchasing decisions, reused, repaired or recycled goods introduce new questions around quality, safety, and reliability. For circularity to thrive, businesses must move beyond sustainability messaging and bolster it by demonstrating genuine value, durability, and trustworthiness – convincing consumers that circular options are as reliable as traditional products.”
Lindsay Hooper, CEO, University of Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership, said: “The transition to a mainstream circular economy hinges on trust and credibility. We need circular products and services with quality, safety and reliability fully embedded, and organizations that act decisively to introduce these solutions will facilitate an economic transformation whilst unlocking a wealth of opportunities. Our report provides essential guidance for driving meaningful change, outlining the conditions necessary for accelerating adoption and catalysing tipping points, it offers a strategic blueprint for organizations ready to lead.”
Download the full report here.
About the research
BSI’s 2025 Global Circularity study, The Tipping Point: Building Trust in the Circularity Economy is comprised of a survey of 8,214 people globally, a series of in-depth stakeholder interviews, and an international literature review.
Detailed survey data on the above topics available on request, please contact Jennifer.lipman@bsigroup.com
About BSI
BSI is a business improvement and standards company that partners with more than 77,500 clients globally across multiple industry sectors. BSI provides organizations with the confidence to grow by working with them to tackle society’s critical issues – from climate change to building trust in AI and everything in between – to accelerate progress towards a fair society and a sustainable world.
For over a century BSI has been recognized for having a positive impact on organizations and society, building trust and enhancing lives. Today BSI engages with a 15,000 strong global community of experts, industry and consumer groups, organizations and governments to deliver on its purpose by helping its clients fulfil theirs.
BSI is appointed by the UK Government as the National Standards Body and represents UK interests at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the European Standards Organizations (CEN, CENELEC and ETSI).
To learn more, please visit www.bsigroup.com
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