Manufacturing drives circular economy innovation at Waste Expo Australia 2025

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Australia's largest gathering of resource recovery professionals returns to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 29-30 October 2025, with free registrations now open for the nation's premier event for resource recovery and sustainable solutions.

Australia's manufacturing sector is at the forefront of the resource recovery sector and the circular economy revolution, with Waste Expo Australia 2025 showcasing how waste materials are being transformed into valuable manufacturing inputs and how manufacturers are leading sustainable production practices.

For the first time in 2025, Waste Expo Australia will co-locate with the ecologiQ Greener Infrastructure Conference, creating an unprecedented platform that bridges the gap between resource recovery and sustainable infrastructure.

ecologiQ is at the forefront of reusing, recycling, and repurposing waste materials in road, rail and built environment projects across Victoria. The program represents a significant manufacturing opportunity, turning what was once exported waste into locally produced construction materials, creating jobs and investment while reducing environmental impact.

Waste Expo Australia 2025 promises to be the most comprehensive event yet, bringing together over 3,000 industry professionals, government representatives, and key decision-makers from across the resource recovery, waste management, recycling and sustainability sectors. The two-day event comprises an exhibition alongside a robust conference program with 45 sessions led by industry pioneers.

This year's Waste Expo conference program will feature more than thought-provoking sessions across multiple streams, including Circular Economy, Government/Policy, Waste-to-Energy and Safety & Technology. Industry leaders will share insights on the critical challenges facing Australian manufacturers, including material sourcing sustainability, waste reduction in production processes, and the development of circular manufacturing systems.

Among the featured speakers, Cleanaway will lead a panel discussion on the role of waste-to-energy in sustainable waste management, examining how energy recovery technologies can contribute to Australia's circular economy goals while addressing growing waste volumes.

“Energy-from-Waste is a critical component of Australia's sustainable waste management future,” said Cleanaway’s Executive General Manager for Energy from Waste, Preet Brar. “As we move toward a circular economy, we need to explore every avenue for resource recovery. This panel will examine how Energy-from-Waste can complement recycling and composting efforts and opportunities for industries to co-locate, creating an eco-system of symbiotic industries supporting Australian manufacturing, innovation and long-term job creation.”

Continuing the conference’s multi-year focus on the circular economy, GHD will moderate a panel discussion on “Unlocking Value from Mining Waste in Resource Management,” exploring how the mining sector’s ~ 90 billion of annual waste – rich in critical metals, and minerals for construction, agriculture and other industries – can support the energy transition in a sustainable way and meet demand for sand and gravels. GHD will outline the pathway to make this a reality, from innovative processing to cross-industry partnerships that turn mining waste into a long-term resource solution.

The exhibition features over 120 suppliers showcasing technologies relevant to manufacturing operations, from material recovery systems to processing equipment that can integrate recycled content into production lines. The event specifically targets suppliers of recycled and reused materials, consultants specialising in sustainable manufacturing, and technology providers developing circular economy solutions. With construction contractors and material processors also attending, manufacturers can explore new partnerships across the supply chain.

Free registrations for Waste Expo Australia 2025 are now open, providing access to both the exhibition and conference sessions, alongside the paid ecologiQ conference registration. For Australian manufacturers seeking to understand circular economy opportunities and sustainable production innovations, this event represents essential professional development in an increasingly sustainability-focused market.

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