The Circular Economy Show Podcast

In this episode of the Circular Economy Show, we explore the intersection between fashion, business, and technology - revealing why shoes are central to systemic innovation. Live from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation Network event in Amsterdam, Kenny Arnold is joined by Dr Yuly Fuentes-Medel and Lewis Campbell from The Footwear Collective. Together, they unpack the urgent need for innovation and collaboration in the footwear industry.You’ll learn: What The Footwear Collective is doing to tackle industry roadblocks head-onHow success is measured by unprecedented collaboration, robust data collection, and active participation from rival companiesWhy their new tool will help companies pinpoint their next steps in their circular economy journeyExplore The Footwear Collective’s Circular Pathways tool https://thefootwearcollective.earthdna.org/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.

To truly transform the food system, we need retailers to sell food that enables nature to thrive.In this episode, learn how leading retailers from around the world are embracing circular design for food, and facing the challenges that occur on the journey.Our guests are Helly McAlister, Senior Buyer at Fortnum & Mason, and Susy Yoshimura, Senior Sustainability Director at Grupo Carrefour Brazil, two pioneering businesses from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Big Food Redesign Challenge.Find out:Why investing in circular design for food is a strategic move that defines the future of retailHow top retailers are cultivating customer demand for products that keep nature in mindThe fundamental importance of cross-team collaboration within organisationsIdeas for engaging suppliers and scaling circular economy initiatives far beyond pilot projectsUseful links:A guide to using circular design for food to build business resilienceExplore the products from the Big Food Redesign ChallengeEp 177: Beyond business as usual: Biodiversity, collaboration and visionary leadership in the food systemEp 179: How are small start-ups, SMEs, and large corporations working together to change the food system?

The circular economy is one of the most powerful tools we have to tackle the climate crisis—but you wouldn’t know it from the carbon accounts.In this episode, we’re joined by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s João Murilo Silva Merico, who explains how current accounting frameworks—like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol—often fail to recognise or reward the emissions benefits of circular practices such as reuse, remanufacturing, and sharing models.You’ll hear:Why emissions reductions from circularity don’t show up where they shouldReal-world examples of how this distorts decision-makingWhat needs to change at a policy and reporting levelWhat businesses can do right now to align climate strategies with circular actionDownload the paper to find out more.  

The circular economy is no longer just a theory; it’s becoming a reality across an increasing number of sectors, from tech and materials to retail and marketing. In this episode, Seb shares four recent stories highlighting the importance of a circular economy across businesses.Join us to find out:-How rethinking product design could help future-proof tech such as iPhones-Why it’s necessary to increase global recycling rates of copper-How consumers are paying more attention to ads with a social or environmental theme-How one household name is adding digital product passports to their clothingHelp us spread the word about the circular economy, by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, or leaving a comment on YouTube or Spotify.Mentioned in this episode:Hear more from Ke Wang on material security in a circular economy in episode 174Listen to the full conversation with Kantar’s Jonathan Hall on how marketers can drive demand for circular economy in episode 176Mashable: How much would the mythical made-in-the-U.S. iPhone cost?EurekAlert: The influence of copper recycling on prospective resource supply and carbon emission reductionSustainable Brands: In 10-Year Study of Most Effective Brand Campaigns, Sustainability Is a WinTrellis: Why Target is tagging 35 million pieces of clothing with digital IDs

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.