As Planet Ark charts a new course for the Australian Circular Economy Hub (ACE Hub), Dr Nicole Garofano, the driving force behind the initiative since 2021, is being farewelled. Her departure marks a pivotal moment in the ACE Hub’s evolution and offers a timely opportunity to reflect on its achievements and future direction.
Dr Garofano’s role has been made redundant as part of Planet Ark’s organisational restructure, which follows the not-for-profit’s recent exit from voluntary administration. In a statement shared with the ACE Hub community, she expressed deep gratitude for the connections and collaborations formed during her tenure, and reflected on the Hub’s significant milestones.
“I started this role by heading to the Coffs Waste Conference to represent Planet Ark and the ACE Hub,” she recalled. “Since then, circular economy has gone from a niche concept to a national conversation, with a framework in place, growing government and private sector engagement, and a thriving community of practice.”
Under her leadership, the ACE Hub has grown into a catalyst for systems change. Highlights include:
– Growing the ACE Hub Portal from a few hundred beta users to a vibrant 2400+ member community
– Delivering six research reports, including Circularity in Australian Business, the country’s first longitudinal study on circular practices
– Launching CIRCO circular design training in Australia
– Hosting three Circularity conferences, which are now integrated into the new ReGen Expo
– Leading international study tours and missions, including a visit to the World Circular Economy Forum and engagements with Dutch and Swedish circular economy leaders
“These achievements are not mine alone,” Garofano said. “They are a testament to the collective energy, expertise and passion of a growing community. To the Planet Ark team – past and present – and our many partners, thank you for the privilege of this journey.”
As Planet Ark looks ahead, it has reaffirmed the central role of the circular economy in its mission. According to Adam Culley, the organisation’s new point of contact for the ACE Hub, the program will enter a new phase with a revised strategy built around four pillars: Educate, Measure, Advocate and Collaborate.
“While some aspects of the ACE Hub will be scaled back, we are committed to maintaining key engagement activities,” Culley said. “This includes our bi-monthly newsletter, continued website updates, CIRCO training under a sponsorship model, and a major research project in partnership with KPMG focused on circular strategies for decarbonisation.”
The ACE Hub will also continue to support collaboration via its online portal and at events such as the ReGen Expo, to held this week in Sydney, where Garofano will moderate her final panel discussion for the Hub – a national panel on circular economy governance.
“Planet Ark is proud of the legacy that the ACE Hub has built in just a few years,” Culley said. “It has become the national reference platform for circular economy knowledge and collaboration, and we intend to honour that legacy even as we evolve.”
In farewelling Dr Garofano, Planet Ark paid tribute to her tireless dedication to the ACE Hub and the broader circular economy movement in Australia. “Her passion has been remarkable,” said the statement, also recognising the contributions of co-founder Paul Klymenko, and the many staff, advisors and partners who helped bring the ACE Hub to life.
For Garofano, the journey has come full circle – literally and figuratively. “Among my final duties is moderating a panel on circular economy governance,” she noted. “It’s a fitting end to a chapter I will always hold dear.”
As she steps away from Planet Ark, Garofano remains optimistic about what’s to come: “We’ve made great progress – but we’re only getting started.”
