Skip to Main Content

Yarra's Circular Economy Map

Wondering where you can shop for package free groceries, repair or borrow items?

This map shows the businesses and community initiatives in Yarra that are working to reduce waste and extend the use of resources. This helps minimise our impact on the planet.

How does the map work?

Click on a category icon and then use the subcategories to search for what you need. Or type any words relating to your search into the search bar at the top of the page.

We recommend opening this map in full-screen.

Adding a business or community initiative

Click the 'add your business button' in the bottom of the map and fill in your business details in our form. We will review your submission to see if it fits within the circular economy, and then add to the map.

To update your business listing in the map or to recommend another local business or community initiative, please email [email protected].

What is the Circular Economy?

A Circular Economy aims to keep materials in use at their highest value for as long as possible. This differs from the 'take-make-waste' of a linear economy.

Wondering where you can shop for package free groceries, repair or borrow items?

This map shows the businesses and community initiatives in Yarra that are working to reduce waste and extend the use of resources. This helps minimise our impact on the planet.

How does the map work?

Click on a category icon and then use the subcategories to search for what you need. Or type any words relating to your search into the search bar at the top of the page.

We recommend opening this map in full-screen.

Adding a business or community initiative

Click the 'add your business button' in the bottom of the map and fill in your business details in our form. We will review your submission to see if it fits within the circular economy, and then add to the map.

To update your business listing in the map or to recommend another local business or community initiative, please email [email protected].

What is the Circular Economy?

A Circular Economy aims to keep materials in use at their highest value for as long as possible. This differs from the 'take-make-waste' of a linear economy.

Regenerate and Renew

Emphasising a shift from extraction to regeneration of the Earth’s resources.
Community examples

Regenerative farming practices for a sustainable food supply, restoration and protection of natural ecosystems, shifting to renewable energy.

Business examples

Composting food waste, shifting to renewable energy, viewing ‘waste’ as a design flaw. Designing products with longevity, reusability, repairability and recyclability in mind.

Emphasising a shift from extraction to regeneration of the Earth’s resources.
Community examples

Regenerative farming practices for a sustainable food supply, restoration and protection of natural ecosystems, shifting to renewable energy.

Business examples

Composting food waste, shifting to renewable energy, viewing ‘waste’ as a design flaw. Designing products with longevity, reusability, repairability and recyclability in mind.

Refuse and Reduce

Consuming mindfully. Reducing consumption where possible. Purchase items that are designed to have a long life, are repairable and/or reusable.

Community examples

Refusing unnecessary items. Libraries, hire shops, car share apps are all organisations that allow people to reduce what they own while still having access to things they need.

Business examples

Re-assess what you need and refuse to purchase or supply unnecessary items in your business. Work with suppliers to reduce excessive packaging.

Consuming mindfully. Reducing consumption where possible. Purchase items that are designed to have a long life, are repairable and/or reusable.

Community examples

Refusing unnecessary items. Libraries, hire shops, car share apps are all organisations that allow people to reduce what they own while still having access to things they need.

Business examples

Re-assess what you need and refuse to purchase or supply unnecessary items in your business. Work with suppliers to reduce excessive packaging.

Reuse and Repurpose

The value extracted from products increases the more they are used/stay in circulation. Reusing and/or purposing items looks to extend the life of items at their highest value.

Community examples

Shopping second hand is one of the best ways to extend the life of a products. This includes charity shops, online marketplaces, consignment and vintage stores.

Business examples

Upcycling and producing items from repurposed materials. Offer product buy back/take back services to extend the life of goods through repurposing and/or resale.

The value extracted from products increases the more they are used/stay in circulation. Reusing and/or purposing items looks to extend the life of items at their highest value.

Community examples

Shopping second hand is one of the best ways to extend the life of a products. This includes charity shops, online marketplaces, consignment and vintage stores.

Business examples

Upcycling and producing items from repurposed materials. Offer product buy back/take back services to extend the life of goods through repurposing and/or resale.

Repair and Restore

These methods prolong the life of products and allow for continued use at their highest value. Often the ability for items to be repaired or restored rely on how they are designed.

Community examples

Tailors, cobblers, mechanics and appliance/IT repairers, just to name a few, all help prolong the life of products. Repairability should be an important consideration when purchasing products.

Business examples

The ability to repair should be considered when purchasing business furniture, equipment, fittings and fixtures. Design products that can be repaired. Provide repair advice or services to customers.

These methods prolong the life of products and allow for continued use at their highest value. Often the ability for items to be repaired or restored rely on how they are designed.

Community examples

Tailors, cobblers, mechanics and appliance/IT repairers, just to name a few, all help prolong the life of products. Repairability should be an important consideration when purchasing products.

Business examples

The ability to repair should be considered when purchasing business furniture, equipment, fittings and fixtures. Design products that can be repaired. Provide repair advice or services to customers.

Recycle and Recover

It is important to be able to recover the value of a product’s raw materials at the end of a product’s life and only after it was moved through the hierarchy. Recovered materials are sold back to manufacturers, beginning the circle again.

Community examples

Prioritise purchasing products with recycled content. Taking a moment to sort your waste items into their correct bins ensuring valuable materials are kept in circulation through recycling.

Business examples

Prioritise purchasing products with recycled content and seeking out suppliers who actively take part in the Circular Economy. Ensuring accurate materials separation at end of life and diverting valuable materials from landfill are crucial.

It is important to be able to recover the value of a product’s raw materials at the end of a product’s life and only after it was moved through the hierarchy. Recovered materials are sold back to manufacturers, beginning the circle again.

Community examples

Prioritise purchasing products with recycled content. Taking a moment to sort your waste items into their correct bins ensuring valuable materials are kept in circulation through recycling.

Business examples

Prioritise purchasing products with recycled content and seeking out suppliers who actively take part in the Circular Economy. Ensuring accurate materials separation at end of life and diverting valuable materials from landfill are crucial.