Product stewardship is the pathway for businesses and governments to a real-world circular economy, and for the first-time leaders in product stewardship from these sectors in Australia and Europe are coming together on 9 May in Sydney.
At the 2024 Australian Product Stewardship Forum, these changemakers will share practical and strategic steps that manufacturers, brands, retailers, and governments can take to produce and consume products without waste.
Engaging international and Australian speakers, and interactive panels will inspire and challenge businesses and policy-makers on what they can do to ensure that products sold in Australia cause less harm to the environment and society across their entire lifecycle from design and manufacture through to use and end of life.
The full-day program kicks off with a conversation between the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water, and John Gertsakis, Director of the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence.
“More than a Q and A, this open-ended dialogue will discuss the challenging issues, opportunities, and reforms underway to help achieve producer responsibility across the product lifecycle. It will set the tone for the frank and productive conversations we’ll have throughout the day,” says Mr Gertsakis.
The Forum will also feature a presentation from Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director for Circular Economy in the European Commission. This will be positively revealing and informative.
Leaders from diverse sectors and industries will then share their experiences of making product stewardship a reality. Each panel discussion will focus on one of the three product lifecycle stages. Facilitated by Claire Kneller, Managing Director of WRAP Asia Pacific, time has been allocated to allow and encourage questions from Forum delegates.
“We are thrilled with the calibre of speakers and the people who have registered to attend the forum – these are people who represent brands, retailers, schemes, associations and government agencies that are innovating to prevent waste and pollution by changing how products are designed, made, used, repaired, reused and recycled,” Mr Gertsakis said.
“Whether you are starting this journey or further progressed, join us to learn and share practical solutions to maximise sustainable consumption and the circular economy.”
The Australian Product Stewardship Forum will be held on Thursday, 9 May 2024 at Aerial at UTS Sydney. Register at stewardshipexcellence.com.au/forum-2024.
