Associate Professor Dr Atiq Zaman, based at Curtin University, is tackling one of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges—the global waste crisis driven by the linear “take–make–dispose” economy. Every year, Australia generates millions of tonnes of waste, much of which pollutes the environment and contributes to climate change. Despite growing awareness, policies and practices remain fragmented, and many regions lack effective strategies and infrastructure to keep materials in use and design out waste.
Dr Zaman’s research develops strategies, tools, and metrics to help transition communities, industries, and cities toward zero waste and a circular economy. His work improves the circularity and decarbonisation performance of products and urban systems, delivering measurable environmental and economic benefits.
Collaborating with international organisations including UNCTAD and the UN Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (UN-CEET), Dr Zaman uses global platforms such as COP27–COP29 and the Global Circular Economy Forum to advocate for scalable, evidence-based solutions. His research is driving practical change—helping design more sustainable, efficient, and waste-free cities worldwide.