With only 5.4% of materials across the country being circular, it is vital that all areas of industry, the community and government come together and play their part in transitioning Australia to a circular economy.  We must be proactive at a local, state, and national level to ensure that the life and value of materials are maximised and carbon is minimised.  It is time to challenge the status quo and talk openly about the need for responsible production and consumption – what does this look like in Australia and how do we accelerate action as we face real climate risk.

How we view and treat resources is key to this transition. To make real progress, we must deliver a fundamental shift across society to reduce the demand for raw materials, think differently about design, and encourage reuse and repair through responsible production and consumption. The 2024 ENVIRO Conference will explore and discuss the systems thinking required to deliver this shift.

#2024ENVIRO

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

The committee are now calling for abstracts under the following topics: 

• International Insights 
• Policy & Regulation
• Investment, Finance & Procurement
• CE Principles in Practice
• Role of Government
• Awareness & Behaviour Change
• Responsible Production & Consumption
• Measuring Success

For more detail on the types of papers being sought under these topics click here.

The call for abstracts is open to both WMRR members and non-members. All abstract submissions will be presented to the program committee for review and final selection.  Abstracts received outside of the topics listed may be considered and additional abstracts may be sought at the discretion of the committee.  Submissions close Monday, 25 March 2024.

Submit your abstract here.

YP SCHOLARSHIP

WMRR is giving one (1) of our Young Professionals (YPs) an opportunity to attend and present at the 2024 ENVIRO Conference, with all expenses related to travel and conference registration covered as part of the scholarship. 

To be eligible you must:

• be a current financial WMRR member;
• be 35 years old or younger; 
• have at least two (2) years’ professional experience in the WARR sector;
• submit an abstract that falls under one of the conference topics;
• be able to attend and present in-person at the conference if selected; 
• write a brief article and/or participate in WMRR webinar on your conference experience; and
• not be a previous scholarship winner. 

Applications close Tuesday, 2 April 2024.

To apply click here.

SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsor or exhibit at the 2024 ENVIRO Conference and give your organisation the opportunity to interact with a wide range of industry professionals, gain exposure and help raise awareness of your business, products and/or services.  Become involved and benefit from access to delegates from all levels of government and peak providers from within the waste and resource recovery sector.

For more information and/or to discuss sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, contact [email protected].

Download a copy of the prospectus here.

2024 ENVIRO AWARDS

WMRR are thrilled to introduce an awards program as part of this year's conference. The ENVIRO Awards will acknowledge and celebrate those in the field that have led the charge in bringing a circular economy to life in Australia. We want to identify and reward people, organisations and projects that exemplar the three (3) circular economy principles of designing out and eliminating waste and pollution; circulating products and materials at their highest value for longer; and regenerating nature. 

Quite simply, we want to recognise leaders that are genuinely using less, maximising resources, mitigating carbon and making lasting change for the community, business and the planet!  As such we are calling for nominations for the following awards:

• Circular Pioneer Award
• Circular Transformation Award
• Circular Project Award

For more information on each award and to apply please refer to the Awards Guidelines here. 

Applications close Friday, 10 May 2024 and winners will be announced at the official conference dinner on Wednesday, 26 June 2024.

ACCOMMODATION & VENUES

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC)
The 2024 ENVIRO Conference is being held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in South Brisbane, central to everything Brisbane has to offer and just a 30 minute drive from the airport.  Access to the Boulevard Rooms is via the Grey Street entrance.

How to get to the BCEC.

Accommodation
There are a variety of accommodation options in and around the BCEC.   Two major hotels, the Novotel South Bank and the Mantra South Bank are adjacent to the venue and a further 97 hotels are located with four (4) kms.

For more information on accommodation in around the convention centre visit the BCEC or Visit Brisbane websites.

REGISTRATION

Prices are in Australian dollars and inclusive of GST. A conference registration include access to all sessions on the day/s registered, catering (morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea), speaker presentations (post-conference), and access the trade exhibition. A full registration includes the pre-conference welcome function, 2-day conference and the official conference dinner.   

Please note:

• Payment is via credit card at the time of registration, or choose to 'pay later' and you'll receive an invoice.    A 1.3% merchant fee applies to all card payments.
• Cancellations must be notified in writing to WMRR at [email protected]. Cancellations received on or prior to the  11 June 2024 will receive a refund less 10% administration charge. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations received after 11 June 2024, however substitutions are welcome at any time without penalty. The same rules apply to cancellations due to COVID-19.
• Late fees apply to registrations received after 11 June 2024.  Contact [email protected] to register.
• Delegate information will be shared with conference sponsors and exhibitors.  If you do not want to share your contact details please let us know at [email protected]

For all conference enquiries email the Events Manager at [email protected] or contact the national office on 02 8746 5000 or email [email protected]