Zero waste, maximum impact: Advancing circularity in Australian architecture and design

The built environment is a major driver of climate change, responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions and generating 30–40% of the world’s waste—much of which ends up in landfill. With a heavy reliance on virgin materials, the industry is depleting natural resources, accelerating biodiversity loss, and contributing to an unsustainable future. But there’s a better way. By embracing circular design principles—including material reuse, adaptive reuse, and design for disassembly—we can reduce waste, lower emissions, and create more resilient buildings.

Zero Waste, Maximum Impact: Advancing Circularity in Australian Architecture and Design explores the opportunities in advancing circularity within the built environment. It helps architects, designers and specifiers understand recycling strategies in the circular context and highlights Australian projects and organisations innovating in this field. In doing so, this paper provides insights into how the industry can transition toward more sustainable and regenerative building practices.

As a global leader in flooring solutions, Tarkett is accelerating the shift towards a circular economy by embedding sustainability across its entire operations. The company has taken a proactive role in circularity by partnering with global sustainability initiatives, including the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the United Nations Global Compact, to align its operations with best practices in material recovery, resource efficiency, and responsible manufacturing.