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I’ve collaborated with Sam and the CELL on both the CELL and recent Circulate and Resilience events. The events are well designed, thoughtfully facilitated and inspiring. CELL brings together people from diverse sectors, creating meaningful connections that continue beyond the event itself.  Ideas shared, new collaborations emerge and people feel empowered to contribute. I’m impressed by the professionalism and vision to embrace creative approaches. Innovation happens when diversity, and the conditions for conversations to flourish. Months after the projects, people are still talking about the connections and ideas. A reflection on CELLs leadership and the impact of the experiences it creates

Alanya van de Wiel New Artists' Collective

Samantha and the CELL team are incredible collaborators! Their ability to connect local industry with real-world community impact is impressive. From sharing current and applicable grants to networking and sharing connections, Sam is always on the front foot making the circular economy actually happen. She was a wealth of knowledge during our rebuild! 

Jess Hodge Managing Director at Resourceful Living

Since 2024, CELL has assisted Loop Organics in connecting with sustainable businesses, bridging the gap between circular ideas and commercial solutions. CELL was instrumental in facilitating our participation in the HunterIF Action Summit, the Hunter Innovation Festival’s Clean Energy panel, and exhibiting at Circulate Expo. These events allowed Loop Organics to pitch directly to high-tier decision-makers. As a result, we gained vital regional exposure, won valuable business support, and secured a powerful platform to promote our science-driven, innovative organics recycling and management solutions based in the Hunter Valley

Tracey Storm Marketing and Communications at Loop Organics Pty Ltd

It’s a real pleasure working with Samantha Bourke and CELL to help bring circular economy solutions to the Hunter region. In efforts such as the Circulate Expo & Pitch Fest, they ask the right questions and effectively engage stakeholders in practical approaches

Russ Martin CEO, Global Product Stewardship Council

Boomerang Labs has collaborated with CELL on a number of initiatives and is consistently impressed by the team’s expertise and passion for driving circular economy action in the Hunter. CELL is an important facilitator of grassroots progress in our region, and is widely recognised for its ability to corral collaborators of different sizes, industries and scales of influence

Caitlyn Touzell General Manager

CELL has been a fantastic connector across the Hunter’s circular economy ecosystem. Samantha has supported the TRaCE program through key introductions and partnerships—including with Superyard (R&D Voucher recipient)— along with fostering collaboration more broadly with the University of Newcastle 

Samuel Kirk Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) Program Manager University of Newcastle

The events, programs and projects of the CELL are invaluable. They are a place where people in totally different kinds of businesses or organisations can meet. Participants find that what one wants to throw away can be used by another. Or, one business operator learns from another. Relationships result between strange bedfellows, and they fuel the growth of the region’s circular economy

Will Rifkin Emeritus Professor. PhD Stanford. College of Human & Social Futures. Board member (2021-present) – Hunter iF: hosts of Hunter Innovation Festival. Lead of University of Newcastle CIFAL..

Working with Sam and CELL on the pond ash project has been highly valuable. Their support in connecting partners and providing practical insights helped accelerate collaboration and unlock new opportunities for sustainable construction solutions

Professor Patrick Tang Acting Head of School of Architecture and Built Environment College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle NSW Australia

I thoroughly enjoyed attending the recent Circulate Expo. For a startup like WasteVision, the quality of connections and networking opportunities provided by CELL was top-tier. What stood out the most was the sheer diversity of circular economy businesses showcasing their solutions at every stage of growth. It’s a brilliant event for anyone looking to drive real momentum in this space

Patrick Arnold Founder, WasteVision.au

The Circular Economy Living Lab has been instrumental in shifting our perspective from waste management to resource recovery. By collaborating with CELL, we’ve been able to pilot local solutions that don’t just protect our environment, but actually stimulate the regional economy and create future-proof jobs

Marcus Thorne Director of Regional Development, Hunter Innovation Hub

As a manufacturer, transitioning to circularity felt like a monumental task until we engaged with the Living Lab. Their ability to connect us with the right researchers and testing facilities allowed us to turn our production by-products into a high-value secondary resource in less than six months

Sarah Chen Chief Operations Officer, Nexaform Manufacturing

What makes CELL unique is the ‘living’ aspect of the lab. It provides an unparalleled environment to test circular theories in real-world conditions. This bridge between academic rigor and commercial viability is exactly what Australia needs to lead the global transition to a zero-waste future

Dr. Elena Rodriguez Senior Research Fellow, Sustainable Systems Institute