The Circular Economy Show Podcast

In this engaging conversation, Vojtech Vosecky, a leading voice in the circular economy and author of The Loop newsletter, shares his journey into this vital field. He discusses the pressing challenges faced by circular economists today and the momentum he sees in sustainable practices. Vojtech emphasizes the importance of building a community to inspire future circular economists. He also highlights how compelling stories and effective communication can unlock the economic benefits of circular models, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Chloe Stewart, who works at Nibs etc, specializes in upcycled ingredients to combat food waste, joins Katie Carson from Tetra Pak to discuss innovative solutions for a sustainable food system. They delve into the transformative role of upcycled ingredients in creating new food products. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by startups and SMEs, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with larger corporations. Insights on how to scale sustainable practices while viewing food waste as a valuable resource are also shared.

The idea that stories are powerful is an uncontroversial idea. But what does it really mean to harness story to shift mindsets and inspire positive action towards a circular economy inside and outside of an organisation? In this episode, hear from Poppy Mason-Watts, Chief Growth Officer at WaterBear and Alex Cramwinckel, Global Circularity Strategy Lead at Heineken to find out:Why storytelling is such an important part of the circular champion’s toolkitWhat brands can do to bring this to life in a circular economyHow this extends to supporting the internal transformation of organisations to make them circular readyTo receive more information about Campus, send an inquiry email to campus@emf.org.

The future of food is not predetermined – it's being shaped by the decisions being made today. This episode challenges food industry decision-makers to embrace a new vision for their businesses and the sector as a whole, whether your organisation is big or small. With insights from Rob Cameron, Global Head of ESG Engagement at Nestlé, and Sean Patrick, founder of Gabanna Foodworks, we examine the critical role of leadership in driving the shift towards a more diverse, resilient, and prosperous food system.In this episode we discover:How diversifying ingredients can transform food production and consumer choicesThe power of collaboration between large corporations and agile startups to drive innovationStrategies for companies to work effectively with farmers and suppliers to support nature and build resilient food systemsThe potential for new processing technologies to support the use of a wider variety of cropsExamples of how businesses are creating new food concepts that are both nutritious and deliciousHow circular design for food can help companies meet their environmental targetsFind out more about about the  Big Food Redesign Challenge.

How can businesses sell circular propositions in a world that's rapidly changing? This episode of the Circular Economy Show tackles the marketing challenges and opportunities head-on. Pippa sits down with Jonathan Hall, Managing Partner at Kantar’s Sustainable Transformation Practice, and Amanda Gandolfo, Head of Brands at bike subscription service Swapfiets, to explore how to connect with today's consumers and drive demand for circular products and services.In this episode you'll discover:The surprising shift in societal values that's reshaping consumer buying habits    How to overcome marketing roadblocks like the value-action gap (where consumers say they want sustainability but don't always buy it) and the greenwashing problem    Practical strategies for marketing circularity effectively: Focus on consumer benefits, convenience, and solving real problems    Real-world examples: Learn how Swapfiets is using a circular business model (bike subscription) to disrupt transportation and prioritise customer experienceRead the The marketing playbook for a circular economy and make sure you’re subscribed to the Circular Economy Show to find out about our future episodes about  the playbook.

Circular business models hold immense potential to reshape the fashion industry. In this episode, we explore the exciting opportunities for brands in rental and resale, moving beyond the challenges of getting started. Host Emma Elobeid is joined by guests Andrew Rough from Advanced Clothing Solutions (ACS) and Ryan Atkins from SuperCycle to discuss how brands can capitalise on this shift to unlock new revenue streams, build stronger customer relationships, and create a more sustainable future. Tune in to hear Emma, Andrew and Ryan explore:The significant economic opportunity for brands in circular fashion, including rental and resale modelsHow circular models can enhance brand profitability by better using assets and meeting evolving customer demandsThe importance of brands owning the customer relationship and data in circular commerceHow enabling services and technology are making circularity more accessible and profitable for brandsThe evolution of circular business models and the importance of continuous learning and adaptationLearn more:Listen to episode 131, when Seb went to visit ACS’s warehouse to learn more about the business.Explore the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's latest demonstration project, The Fashion ReModel, which explores making the economics work for circular business models.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

Find out about the critical role that the circular economy can play in the shift to renewable energy, pairing the EU’s decarbonisation agenda with economic competitiveness and material security.In this episode, host Seb hears from Ke Wang from the World Resources Institute (WRI) about:Why the circular economy is important in the energy transitionHow this is fundamentally driven by economics and competitivenessExamples of what it looks like in practiceIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.Learn more:Read Ke’s paper More Than Ore: The Pivotal Role Recycled Copper Can Play in the Energy TransitionWant to find out how this topic applies in regions outside of Europe? Read the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s recent publication on the circular economy as a triple play opportunity for China.

Wendy Schmidt, President and Co-Founder of the Schmidt Family Foundation, focuses on philanthropy's vital role in food system innovation. Douglas McMaster, the Michelin-starred chef and owner of Silo, shares insights from participating in the Big Food Redesign Challenge, advocating for a rethink of our entire food production. Together, they discuss how to transform the food industry, enhance biodiversity, and design eco-friendly practices that regenerate nature rather than deplete it.

Circular design is a hot topic, but moving beyond the buzzwords to practical implementation can be a real challenge. In this episode, we go deep with Joe Iles, Head of Design Activation at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, to unpack the essential principles and skills every designer should have in their toolkit.Joe shares a compelling perspective on circular design - it's not just about creating durable products, but rather reflecting the complex, interconnected systems that make up our world. He explores why circular design ideas often struggle to scale, despite the abundance of innovative concepts out there.He also shares the key design competencies that are crucial for driving the transition to a circular model, from systems thinking to prototyping and collaboration. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.Links mentioned in this episode:The Circular Design GuideThe Jeans RedesignThe Circular Buildings ToolkitFrom ambition to action: an adaptive strategy for circular design

In this episode of the Circular Economy Show we meet Zero Waste Scotland, who are working with government, businesses, and communities to make the shift to a circular economy as easy as possible for all. We're joined by Peter McCafferty, Business Support Manager at Zero Waste Scotland, and Dr Michaela Hruskova from the University of Stirling. Together we'll discuss the barriers that are stopping businesses from adopting circular practices at scale, informed by the findings of their report: ‘Scotland’s Circular Economy Practices Ecosystem.’ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.Read the report ‘Scotland’s Circular Economy Practices Ecosystem'.