A new global study reveals strong consumer appetite in Australia for systemic change towards a circular economy, with a clear mandate for business and government to step up support and incentives.
Australians are sending a clear message: when it comes to addressing environmental challenges, circularity should be front and centre. The study, released by BSI* and developed in partnership with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), has found that 89 per cent of Australians believe circularity should be a priority for business and government – a figure that exceeds the global average of 86 per cent.
The report, The Tipping Point: Building Trust in the Circularity Economy, highlights growing frustration with the lack of practical pathways for consumers to participate meaningfully in the circular economy. Despite increased awareness and interest, the global share of reused materials in the economy has dropped from 7.2 per cent to 6.9 per cent in recent years, underscoring the urgency for action.
Australians want tangible benefits and easier access
The research found Australians are not only ready to embrace circular practices – they want systems in place to make participation easier and more rewarding.
More than half (59%) of Australian respondents expressed a strong desire for easier access to recycling and repair schemes, significantly higher than the global average of 48 per cent. A further 60 per cent said they would support financial incentives, such as money-back schemes for recycling – again, well above global sentiment.
While only 29 per cent of Australians are highly familiar with the term “circularity”, 79 per cent feel their individual actions can make a difference. This willingness is already evident in strong recycling habits, with 70 per cent identifying as early adopters or active participants – compared to 65 per cent globally.
Industry and government urged to respond
BSI’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Charlene Loo, said the results point to a clear opportunity for the country to lead globally on circularity.
“Australia has a unique opportunity to lead the way in the global circular economy transition,” Loo said. “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 business and government to act on this public demand, translating it into real, accessible solutions that build trust and accelerate our shift to a circular future.”
Trust is the tipping point
Globally, the report identifies trust as a critical barrier to wider adoption of circular solutions. While consumers are accustomed to weighing up price and quality, reused or recycled goods introduce new questions around durability, performance, and safety.
BSI chief executive Susan Taylor Martin said businesses must move beyond sustainability messaging to prove the value and reliability of circular products.
“For circularity to thrive, businesses must move beyond sustainability messaging and bolster it by demonstrating genuine value, durability, and trustworthiness,” she said. “Consumers need confidence that circular products are as reliable as traditional ones.”
A blueprint for economic transformation
The report also outlines the systemic conditions needed to unlock a widespread shift towards circular practices, from embedding quality and safety standards to building consumer confidence in alternative supply chains.
Lindsay Hooper, CEO of CISL, said the research is a strategic guide for organisations willing to lead the transformation.
“The transition to a mainstream circular economy hinges on trust and credibility,” Hooper said. “Organisations that act decisively to introduce high-quality circular solutions will help catalyse economic transformation and unlock new opportunities.
“Our report offers a roadmap for meaningful change – for those ready to lead, the tipping point is within reach.”
*BSI’s 2025 Global Circularity study, The Tipping Point: Building Trust in the Circularity Economy is based on a survey of 8214 people globally, a series of in-depth stakeholder interviews, and an international literature review.
