The Circular Economy Show Podcast

In this episode we’re bringing together two top-of-mind topics: the scramble for critical minerals, and how circular economy strategies can help us secure and stabilise their supply. Humans have been mining metals and minerals for thousands of years. Today, critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements are essential for not only renewable energy products like wind turbines and EV batteries but the infrastructure and systems needed to power them. As part of our Circling Back series, over the next five weeks, we’re revisiting some key conversations from our archive that feel especially relevant right now. Join us in Episode 189 to hear:From Ke Wang at the World Resources Institute about why the circular economy is central in the energy transitionHow economics and competitiveness are driving that transition, and examples of where that is already happening in practiceAs the rollout of renewable energy scales at pace, e-waste continues to increase, and the first generation of EV batteries and wind turbines start to reach the end of their lives, we have a window of opportunity to build a better system, based on the principles of a circular economy.Find out more about the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's work on Critical MineralsThis conversation originally featured in episode 174: Material security in a circular economy, published in April 2025.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

Discover how Arc’teryx is revolutionizing retail with their in-store ReBIRD service, promoting sustainable repairs. Learn why repairs are essential for extending product life and fostering customer loyalty. Dive into the strategic shift towards circular business models and the operational hurdles faced by brands. Explore how these practices are broadening access for diverse customer groups and enhancing engagement in the fashion industry. This shift not only supports sustainability but also tells a compelling story in the outdoor gear market.

Sara Eriksson, a circular business models expert at H&M Group, teams up with Chloe Holland from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to discuss innovative strategies in fashion. They dive into the Fashion ReModel initiative, exploring how brands embrace resale, rental, and repair to keep clothes in circulation. The duo highlights H&M's resale platform, Sellpy, addressing the challenges of shifting to circular models in a linear economy. They also touch on the critical role of policy and finance in scaling these sustainable practices.

In this episode of the Circular Economy Show, our guests Georgie Rose from Selfridges and Simon Davies from VISA tell us how they have been working together to find out.Collaborating with Mindworks Marketing to optimise messaging and branding for promoting circular shopping behaviours, Georgie and Simon discuss how their behavioural lab has been bridging the gap between customer intent and action.Listen to this episode to hear:How the behavioural lab initiative focuses on subtle language variations to influence customer behavior towards circularity How current efforts are focusing on beauty products to make refills as appealing as buying new ones How the initiative is working to embed circular shopping as a norm and make it more intuitive and excitingLearn more:Read ‘The marketing playbook for a circular economy’Don’t miss last week’s episode, Ep 185: How can marketers turn ideas into impactful action?Check out episode 176:  Driving demand for circular economy: What marketers need to knowMake sure you’re subscribed to the Circular Economy Show to find out about our future episodes on the marketing playbookIf 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.

For years, marketers have been helping to shape how consumers think and feel about products that are driving the linear economy. However in this episode of the Circular Economy Show, we explore how they can harness their skills to unlock the opportunities that the circular economy provides. We’re joined by experts Deb Caldow, Global Marketing Director at Diageo, and Rachel O’Reilly, Global Research Lead at Accenture Song. Their experiences provide an insight into how we can turn ideas into impactful actions that deliver both economic growth and environmental benefits.Join us to find out:How marketers are leveraging storytelling to inspire interest in circular productsWhy they should engage closely supply teams to ensure innovations align with market demandThe importance of internal buy-in and a willingness to experiment when scaling circular solutionsLearn more:Read the ‘The marketing playbook for a circular economy’.Check out episode 176,’ Driving demand for circular economy: What marketers need to know’ to hear more about the playbook with Kantar and Swapfiets.Make sure you’re subscribed to the Circular Economy Show to find out about our future episodes on the playbook.

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.