In this episode of The Circular Economy Show, we uncover the power of collaboration in scaling the design of products that are fit for a circular economy. Host Pippa Shawley is joined by Megan Dawson-Elli, Product Sustainability Manager at Tapestry, and Steven Bethell, Co-founder of Bank and Vogue, to discuss their groundbreaking partnership that led to the creation of Coach’s sellout Soho bag. Learn how post-consumer denim, innovative design, and a shared vision resulted in a beautiful product ...
Oct 01, 2024•15 min•Ep. 161
With New York Climate Week underway, this episode of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Economy Show, dives into the growing momentum of the circular economy in the US. Host Pippa Shawley is joined by Jon Smieja, Vice President of Circularity at Trellis Group and Danielle Holly, North America Lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Together, they’ll discuss the need for systemic change, the opportunities for circular business models, and how this transition can help meet climate goals. Jo...
Sep 24, 2024•15 min•Ep. 160
In this episode of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Economy Show, we’ll explore the critical relationship between a healthy economy and a thriving natural environment. With biodiversity declining at unprecedented rates, we will delve into the Foundation’s latest report, "Building Prosperity: Unlocking the Potential for a Nature Positive Circular Economy for Europe." We’ll be joined by Julia Okatz, a director at Systemiq, who led the analysis for the report, and Joss Bleriot, the Foundat...
Sep 17, 2024•21 min•Ep. 159
Get ready for the launch of our new season on The Circular Economy Show! Join us as we explore wider outlooks for the circular economy. We’ll hear about the case for a circular economy in the US and how rethinking the way we build in Europe offers huge potential for change. Plus we’ll explore how collaboration, when done right, can help companies scale their circular ambitions. The new season starts on Tuesday 16th July. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts, or if you prefer to watch you...
Sep 14, 2024•1 min
At the heart of the circular economy is the need to retain the value of goods and materials, so that we can slow down the use of the Earth’s resources. Selling performance instead of products could be a way to achieve this. In this season’s finale, we’ll discuss this and other insights from Walter Stahel, author of The Performance Economy. Join us as we discuss how retaining the value of goods and materials can transform industries, boost job creation, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We’ll ...
Aug 13, 2024•24 min•Ep. 158
In nature, symbiosis refers to two or more species benefiting from living closely together. In this episode, we explore how the same thing can happen in business, through something called industrial symbiosis. We’re joined by Lisbeth Randers from Kalundborg Industrial Park, one of the best-known examples of industrial symbiosis. Plus, Radu Godina, Associate Professor at NOVA School of Science and Technology, highlights the potential of industrial symbiosis in a circular economy by sharing resour...
Aug 06, 2024•23 min•Ep. 157
In today’s episode, we’re placing nature in the centre of the conversation. Joined by Sean Quinn, Director of Regenerative Design at HOK, we’re exploring the role of regenerative design in creating infrastructures that are in harmony with our communities and the planet. Notes: In today’s episode, we’re placing nature in the centre of the conversation. Joined by Sean Quinn, Director of Regenerative Design at HOK, we’re exploring the role of regenerative design in creating infrastructures that are...
Jul 30, 2024•33 min•Ep. 156
Are Cradle to Cradle and the Circular Economy essentially the same thing? In this episode off our Origins season, we’ll explore the key differences and similarities between the two system change solutions. Join us as we sit down with Katja Hansen, Circular Economy & Cradle to Cradle expert, to explore nuances between the two systems, their relationship with the sustainability movement and how this might have been co-opted by companies to mean “business as usual”. Have a look at the butterfly...
Jul 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 155
Where did the concept of the circular economy come from? In our new season “ Origins: The ideas shaping the circular economy ”, we dig into the different ideas that have inspired the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s concept of a circular economy. In this season premier, we'll learn more about biomimicry, the practice of looking to nature for solutions to human problems. Join us as we discuss the origins and broader implications of biomimicry with Stefano Semprini, Co-director at BiomimicrySA, and de...
Jul 16, 2024•31 min•Ep. 154
Get ready for the launch of our new season on The Circular Economy Show! Join us as we dig into the different ideas that have inspired the circular economy. Over five episodes, we'll explore the origins of this movement through the schools of thought that influenced its creation: Biomimicry, Cradle to Cradle, Regenerative Design, Industrial Symbiosis and the Performance Economy. We’ll learn what the circular economy took from those influences and about the differences between them. But it’s not ...
Jul 09, 2024•1 min
How can a company as large as Microsoft help to regenerate nature? In this episode, we discuss how the organisation is designing its rapidly-growing number of data centres to become sanctuaries of biodiversity with Kaitlin Chuzi, Microsoft’s Director of Biomimicry and Advanced Ecosystems, and Alessandra Pistoia, Microsoft’s Circular Economy Lead. We’ll hear how data centres, often seen as energy-intensive infrastructures, are being leveraged to rejuvenate natural ecosystems. We’ll also learn how...
Jun 25, 2024•30 min•Ep. 153
Around the world, more than 80% of textiles leak out of the system when they are discarded. We need a new approach: a circular economy for textiles. A key part of this solution is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Mandatory, fee-based EPR policy places responsibility on producers with regard to the collection, sorting and recirculation of the products they place on the market. EPR also creates transparency and traceability on global material flows, and helps to attract capital investments ...
Jun 18, 2024•31 min•Ep. 152
As the circular economy gains momentum, we’re often faced with questions about how it could or should work. In this episode, some of the team from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation answer these frequently asked questions. Host Pippa is joined by the Foundation’s Institutions Lead, Sarah O’Carroll, and Content Lead, Seb Read to discuss topics including the role of the consumer, recycling and nature in the circular economy. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, or leave us a comment ...
Jun 11, 2024•32 min•Ep. 151
Dunia Bora means a better world, and that’s what Vincent Muhoro, Dunia Bora’s Founder, is aiming to achieve with his nutritious cactus juice drinks and cookies. Vincent joins us in this episode of the Circular Economy Show to explain how creating nature-positive nutrition from the cactus plant is helping to tackle the devastating effects of climate change, while creating resilience and economic opportunities for his local communities. Do not miss how Vincent came up with this brilliant idea and ...
Jun 04, 2024•26 min•Ep. 150
As the Director and Reuse Lead at GoUnpackaged, Catherine Conway has become one of the leading voices in the world of return and refill. In this episode of the Circular Economy Show, Catherine reflects on the goals of the Refill Coalition, the critical role of design in reusable packaging, and how we can scale these solutions for a more circular future. For more information about the UN plastic treaty mentioned in this episode and the role of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in leading it forward,...
May 28, 2024•27 min•Ep. 149
Deborah Dull is the supply chain super hero we’ve been waiting for. As co-founder of the Circular Supply Chain Network, she brings together supply chain professionals to discuss the circular economy in their work. In this episode, she shares what supply chains in a circular economy could actually look like. From the importance of optimising repair networks to innovating product design, Deborah highlights the crucial role of supply chain professionals in changing the system. She brings a positive...
May 21, 2024•26 min•Ep. 148
Circular economy business models have been around for a long time, but we're not seeing the promised gold rush of new product-as-a-service models taking over the marketplace - even where the economic and environmental rationale appears super clear. In today’s episode of the Circular Economy Show, we explore the subject of scaling product-as-services with Mats Linder and Marta Bergfors from Stena Circular Consulting. The pair discuss the consultancy’s report on the challenges of scaling PaaS with...
May 14, 2024•37 min•Ep. 147
From decorations to infrastructure, food and local business connections, there’s a lot to think about when hosting an event the size of the Eurovision Song Contest. There are also lots of opportunities to make a circular impact with it. In today’s episode of the Circular Economy Show, we travel to Malmö, the city hosting the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. We’re joined by Malmö’s sustainability coordinator, Veronika Hoffmann, to explore how the city has applied circular principles when planning th...
May 07, 2024•28 min•Ep. 146
Welcome back to The Circular Economy Show! In our new season premiere, we’re diving into the crucial intersection of climate change and the circular economy. Join us as we sit down with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Climate Lead, Miranda Schnitger, to find out how the circular economy can help meet climate targets, why it needed to be noted in the official COP28 negotiation outcomes text, and why it’s important to stay optimistic while facing huge challenges. For more information about the ro...
Apr 30, 2024•14 min•Ep. 145
Join us for a new season of the Circular Economy Show! New episodes drop every Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode. Just search for the Circular Economy Show on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
Apr 23, 2024•43 sec
In the last episode of our series sharing some of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's most popular articles, we explore the world of reuse and repair. Travelling to the African continent, we find out how people and businesses have been embracing strategies to maximize material use for a long time Reuse and repair are critical aspects of a circular economy, but despite clear benefits, they've yet to gain a foothold in the Global North. Whilst greater awareness and new legislation are beginning to sh...
Apr 02, 2024•20 min•Ep. 144
In part two of our series sharing some of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's most popular articles, we dig deep into the psychology behind why we like to own things. We’ll also explore the alternatives that the circular economy offers. Read the article here...
Mar 26, 2024•22 min•Ep. 143
In our new three-part series, we’re sharing three of the most popular articles written by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s editorial team. In today’s episode, we explore how a circular economy can keep us stay within the nine planetary boundaries set out by the Stockholm Resilience Centre, such as climate change, novel entities (otherwise known as pollution) and ocean acidification. Read the full article...
Mar 19, 2024•21 min•Ep. 142
In this episode, we hear from Rudo Nondo, a creative design practitioner and the acting Managing Director of Fashion Revolution. She tells us how her upbringing in Zimbabwe has shaped her clothing philosophy and explains why she’s passionate about circular design for fashion. Learn more about Rudo Nondo in the Foundation’s Fashion Book Watch our Circular Economy Show episode with Rudo Nondo...
Mar 05, 2024•20 min•Ep. 141
Is there a better way to produce our food? Today, we circle back to one episode of our award-nominated Redesigning Food series in this episode. We’ll rediscover what a circular economy for food would look like, meet the people working to make it happen, and we’ll look at how it can be scaled to feed a growing population. Find out more about the Big Food Redesign Challenge , which has now entered its production phase. Successful participants are working hard to turn their product designs into rea...
Feb 27, 2024•18 min•Ep. 140
How can optimism and creativity help us transition to a circular economy? In this episode, model, actress and activist, Lily Cole joins Ellen MacArthur and Emma Chow to discuss her journey from fashion model to environmental activist. They discuss progress towards a circular economy, emphasising collaborative efforts among businesses, citizens, and policymakers. Join us as we delve into the possibilities and challenges of transitioning to a more circular world. Thanks for tuning in to the Circul...
Feb 20, 2024•26 min•Ep. 139
What if we could design our belongings to elongate their useful life? In this episode, we delve into the world of repair, shifting the focus from disposable products to ones that are designed to be repaired. Join us as we explore the potential for third-party repairs to flourish. Hear from Conny Bakker, Professor of Design Methodology for Sustainability and Circular Economy at TU Delft and Sojo’s co-founder Josephine Phillips, who are both calling for repair to play a greater part in our economy...
Feb 13, 2024•15 min•Ep. 138
How do we shift today’s economic system to one that helps to regenerate nature? In this episode, we’ll meet three companies developing materials that work in harmony with our environment and learn how such innovations can be scaled. Co-founder of Materiom, Liz Corbin, spoke to her fellow co-founders Alysia Garmulewicz, Julia Marsh from Sway and Ehab Sayed from Biohm at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Innovation Day in 2022. Your feedback helps us reach more people interested in the circular eco...
Feb 06, 2024•17 min•Ep. 137
In this week's episode, we circle back to understand the third principle of a circular economy: 'regenerating nature', and its application in the fashion industry. Our guest, Josie Warden, former Head of Regenerative Design at the RSA, joins us as we explore how circular design offers a way to create a fashion industry that can flourish in harmony with nature. Learn more about The RSA and their work to create an impact. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more like it, please take a mom...
Jan 30, 2024•19 min•Ep. 136
In this first episode of our Circling Back season, Christiana Figueres and Ellen MacArthur bring us an inspiring conversation about the role of circular thinking in addressing the causes of climate change and in finding its solutions. Join us as we explore the role of the circular economy in decarbonisation and the need for optimism to fix our climate. If you want to hear from more insightful guests like Christiana Figueres, please leave us a review! Let's spread the word and inspire positive ch...
Jan 23, 2024•26 min•Ep. 135
