Challenge 1 – Circular Economy

Applications for this challenge have closed.

This challenge is currently in the Proof of Concept stage. Peclet Technology has been selected to progress their solution, and has been awarded $1m through the Smart City Innovation Challenges.

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About the Circular Economy Challenge

A circular economy is about valuing and adding value to our resources by getting as much use out of products and materials as possible and reducing how much waste we generate. This includes using recycled materials in manufacturing, repairing household goods before buying new ones, and repurposing items that are no longer used.

In this Smart City Innovation Challenge, we asked the emerging technology sector to respond to this challenge:

How might we generate, model and access precinct-level material usage, reuse, recycling and disposal data to support to circular economy initiatives?

 

The challenge will help us find new ways to generate comprehensive and accessible data insights so we can:

  • measure, benchmark and track material usage, recycling and disposal across industries
  • visualise the impacts and benefits of circular economy interventions across the entire product lifecycle
  • identify and quantify opportunities across the material lifecycle
  • help investors, businesses, utilities and governments identify circular economy opportunities
  • evaluate the impact of past and current initiatives.

The data needs to be longitudinal, available in real-time, relevant to the Australian context.

Applicants will be applying the challenge statement to activity in a specific precinct, choosing between:

More detailed information on the challenge can be found in the Circular Economy challenge brief.

How does the Innovation Challenge run?

The Smart City Innovation Challenge has three phases. Each phase is competitive, and not all applicants will proceed through each phase.

Phase 1 - Pitchfest: April - June 2022

Applications outlining a proposed solution to the challenge will be assessed against clear criteria. The judging panel selects up to 10 applicants to present their proposed solution at a Pitchfest event.

Phase 2 - Feasibility study: July - September 2022

The pitches are assessed, with up to three successful applicants entering into funding agreements for up to $50,000 to conduct a feasibility study over two months in partnership with the NSW Government.

Phase 3 – Proof of concept: December 2022 – December 2023

Feasibility studies are assessed, with the potential for one applicant to enter into a contract for up to $1 million to develop the concept further i.e. proof of concept or trial, for up to 12 months.

Further information about the challenge process, including eligibility and assessment criteria can be found in the Smart City Innovation Challenges Guidelines (PDF, 965.58 KB)

 

For more information

If you need further information, please email us on smartplaces@planning.nsw.gov.au.