The region is making moves to do its part to address what has become a global scandal and environmental catastrophe.

Hunter Joint Organisation, which represents the region's councils, has released a report on plans to transition to a circular economy.

The report said the circular economy was an alternative to the "take, make and dispose" system.

"It aims to maximise the value of resources by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible."

The plan covers waste types such as plastic, glass, paper, cardboard, metal, timber, tyres and textiles.

The organisation's regional program manager Tim Askew said the plan was in its early stages.

"There are a lot of good opportunities for this," Mr Askew said.

He added that collaboration was needed.

"It's great that we have so many people in the Hunter who want to take this forward," he said.

"People are moving forward with solutions. We've got to try every angle to improve the outcomes."

The report included the example of Hunter-based Quarry Mining reducing its use of bubble wrap packaging by re-using cardboard for packaging instead.

Another example was Port Stephens Council using Greencrete on traffic islands at Tanilba Bay. Greencrete is a form of concrete made with recycled glass.

Sirron Holdings Group at Caves Beach was highlighted in the report as a hospitality company committed to "leaving the world better than we found it".

The Newcastle-based Plastic Police is a recycling and engagement program that helps organisations to better manage soft plastics.

And Downer's flexible pavements hub in Teralba uses a sustainable asphalt product made with recycled soft plastics and glass and reclaimed asphalt.

The circular economy faces big challenges, including the need for major investment from all levels of government and new regulations to enable a viable market for recycled materials.

A major problem is that materials recycled in Australia would cost much more than cheap imports.

Free trade agreements between Australia and other countries could be a sticking point.

Consumer behaviour, entrenched markets and corporate culture are further obstacles.

Nevertheless, the Council of Australian Governments [COAG] set a timetable last November to ban the export of plastic, paper, glass and tyre waste. The plan has been criticised as destined to fail unless a ban on waste exports is matched "with a ban on packaging imports".

The move came amid concern that councils don't know precisely where the waste collected in yellow-lidded bins ends up because they don't track it.

Greenpeace says much of it ends up in poor countries, where it's sent to landfill, burned, or dumped into waterways and the ocean.

Boomerang Alliance director Jeff Angel said last November that Australians had "been deluded for years" with claims about waste being recycled.

"We need to take full responsibility for the cycle of waste," Mr Angel said.

While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here

IN THE NEWS: