Brad Scott, founder of Transmutation.
Transmutation is a craft-sized recycling and manufacturing business based in Robe, South Australia. It makes and sells circular economy products from plastic waste.
Starting out in a shed in 2018, Transmutation is driving growth and innovation for the circular economy through a novel decentralised model. Its success was recognised when Transmutation won the 2024 Telstra Best of Business Awards, National Embracing Innovation Award.
Brad Scott is the founder and director of Transmutation. With a background in logistics and corporate management, he has developed a new template for regional recycling.
The traditional recycling industry typically relies on large, centralised facilities. These have economies of scale but much of regional plastic waste doesn’t make it to these facilities.
"The biggest challenge for recycling is the cost of transporting waste from regional areas" says Brad.
Transmutation is trying to solve this regional recycling challenge with a decentralised approach centred on partnerships with fellow micro-recyclers.
The company has a small team of three employees in South Australia. But it works with partners all over Australia to source and recycle waste. This strategic partnership approach allows recyclers to tap into local waste. It reduces the costs and environmental impact of plastic waste transportation.
Brad has already partnered with another recycler in Hamilton, Victoria. The two collaborate on processing plastic waste and manufacturing new products.
For Brad, strategic partnerships and decentralisation are also ways regional areas can thrive.
We're getting back to a more local model where people can be successful where they want to be, as opposed to where they have to be.
- Brad Scott, Founder Transmutation
Brad and Narelle Scott win the 2024 Telstra Best of Business Awards, National Embracing Innovation Award.
Brad also founded the Australian Micro Recyclers Association. It’s a community of over 25 small-scale recyclers. The association aims to establish and expand the circular economy within Australia. It promotes best practices and helps other businesses start micro-recycling.
"The idea is to expand our network and get more people into this, so that we can recycle at scale, across the country."
Read more about how Transmutation is driving a circular economy future
Working across states and regional areas creates its own challenges. But Brad uses business technology solutions to help manage his operations and business relationships.
Brad says fast, reliable internet fast, reliable internet has been vital for the business. Remote monitoring of machinery and data analysis are made possible with business internet. This allows Brad and his team to keep a close eye on operations, even when they're not physically present.
"Technology is vital to use because we want to be at the cutting edge of everything we do" says Brad.
Through technology, we can be anywhere. We've got a good finger on the pulse of our business wherever we are.
- Brad Scott, Founder of Transmutation
"A good, fast internet service is critical to having a decentralised model" says Brad. "Without it I couldn't do what I’m doing sitting in a fishing village in South Australia."
Learn more about how you can thrive online as a regional business
Connectivity also helps reduce the time Brad spends travelling. This helps him be more productive.
"Sometimes you need to press the flesh and you need to meet people. That’s still pretty important. But I don't have to get on a plane or a car as often as I used to have to and that's all down to technology."
Brad constantly seeks ways to innovate and improve his business. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a tool he has recently adopted to gain new inputs and ideas for ongoing business development.
"AI helps with my research. It makes it easy for me to scour the internet for useful insights. You still need to validate what you find. I want to see the lab results or the science behind anything that comes up. But finding information in the world is a lot easier today than it was."
Read more about how AI could help your business
With a new, collaborative approach to plastic recycling, and an effective business technology system to support it, Transmutation is a company with a bright future. It is disrupting the regional recycling industry and driving the growth of the circular economy in Australia. And it's proving a purpose-led, principles-driven business can be profitable.
It's no surprise Transmutation is the 2024 Telstra Best of Business Awards National Embracing Innovation Award Winner. We can’t wait to see what Brad and the team do next.
Brad and his team have proven that a small, regional business can work nationally. If you’re considering partnerships across the country, Here are some key points that might be useful:
The Awards give small to medium-sized businesses a platform to celebrate their achievements and stories with peers. Plus, opportunities to learn from Australia's best business minds. Nominate your own or another remarkable business today.
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