Cobram Estate, a leading Australian olive oil producer, has been lauded for its innovative approach to waste management at the recent Circularity 2023 forum and awards.

The event, organised by Planet Ark and the Australian Circular Economy Hub (ACE Hub), is Australia's premier platform for discussions on the circular economy, drawing participation from Government Ministers, industry leaders, and the scientific community.

The ACE Awards, a key component of the event, celebrate the pioneers driving Australia's transition to a circular economy. Cobram Estate clinched the 'Retaining Value' category, a recognition of its efforts to keep products and materials in use and at their highest value.

Other winners at the ACE Awards included ModiBodi, which won the Design for Circularity Award, Belinda Chellingworth of BC Consulting, who received the Circular Leader Award, Sarah D'Sylva of Hyloh, who was awarded the Emerging Circular Leader Award, and Ryan Swenson of Circonomy, who took home the Full Circle Award.

Cobram's initiatives have seen it transform waste generated from olive farming and processing into valuable products. These include creating tea and extracts with medicinal benefits from olive leaves, using olive pits as biofuel, mulching tree pruning materials and returning them to the soil, and developing value-add materials with olive pomace waste.

The ACE Awards press release stated: 'These finalists represent the people and companies at the forefront of Australia's circular transition. Through their innovation, talent and foresight they are inspiring others to work towards integrating new and innovative circular economy practices as the norm in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.'

Cobram Estate's recognition at the ACE Awards underscores the growing importance of sustainable practices in the Australian business landscape. As companies strive to reduce their environmental footprint, innovative solutions like those implemented by Cobram Estate are likely to become increasingly prevalent. The ACE Awards serve as a reminder of the potential of the circular economy to drive both environmental sustainability and economic growth.