Circular Economy Podcast

Dan Vukelich, President of the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors, has spent 25 years campaigning and working to encourage reuse and remanufacturing of ‘single use’ medical devices, first in the USA and now in Europe and other countries. To give you a feel for the scale of this, in 2024, over 55 million single-use devices were reprocessed and reused across 17 countries in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. By doing that, hospitals saved the equivalent of over USD 450 million. The interest in reprocessing and reuse really took off during the pandemic, and since then, supply chain disruption has become more of an ongoing risk for hospitals. The Association of Medical Device Reprocessors (AMDR) was founded in 1999. It supports its members around regulation, legislation, and standard-setting, so hospitals and healthcare providers can increase quality, reduce cost, cut waste, lower emissions, and strengthen their supply chains. Dan explains what reprocessing includes and talks us through the categories of devices that are currently reprocessed and remanufactured. He describes how the medical sector has shifted from high-quality materials that could be easily sanitised and reused, to a situation where even very complex and expensive devices are designed to be disposed of after just one use, wasting finite and critical materials. We talk about the ethical and legal issues of reprocessing, and the role of regulations and standardization. Dan helps us understand the challenges for hospitals and how the shift to single-use has added a lot of extra costs to the health system and impacts all of us, either directly or as taxpayers. Dan also points to an important long-term trend, as more and more equipment manufacturers get involved, rather than pushing back on reuse. International speaker, author and strategic advisor, Catherine Weetman helps people discover why circular, regenerative and fair solutions are better for people, planet – and prosperity. Catherine’s award-winning book: A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.  Stay in touch for free insights and updates…  Read on for more on our guest and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention.  Don’t forget, you can subscribe to the podcast series on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PlayerFM, Spotify, TuneIn, or search for “circular economy” in your favourite podcast app.  Stay in touch to get free insights and updates, direct to your inbox… You can also use our interactive, searchable podcast index to find episodes by sector, by region or by circular strategy. Plus, there is now a regular Circular Economy Podcast newsletter, so you get the latest episode show notes and links delivered to your inbox on Sunday morning, each fortnight. The newsletter includes a link to the episode page on our website, with an audio player. You can subscribe by clicking this link to update your preferences. Links we mention in the episode: Links for our guest: AMDR website https://amdr.org/ AMDR Mission and Credo AMDR LinkedIn Dan LinkedIn Subscribe to AMDR’s quarterly newsletter AMDR provides lots of research and resources on its website, including information on the continued growth in the use of reprocessed devices and reductions in waste and carbon emissions – see this data releaseand accompanying infographics  Books, people and organisations we mentioned Episode 97 Alice Mah – Plastic propaganda https://www.rethinkglobal.info/97-alice-mah-unpicking-plastic-propaganda/ Catherine’s work: Circular Economy Podcast on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/circular-economy-podcast/ Circular Economy Podcast website: circulareconomypodcast.com Catherine Weetman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-weetman-9419107/ A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business – buy from any good bookseller, or direct from the publisher Kogan Page, which ships worldwide (free shipping to UK and US) https://www.koganpage.com/CircEcon2 Interactive podcast index https://www.rethinkglobal.info/circular-economy-podcast-index/ Rethink Global www.rethinkglobal.info Sign up to get the podcast player and shownotes for each new episode emailed to your inbox Guest bio Dan Vukelich is the President of the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors and ex-officio member of the Board. He has been with AMDR since 2000. Mr. Vukelich is a member of two Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation technical working groups. He received his Juris Doctor Degree from the American University’s Washington College of Law and his B.A. in Political Science and Public Communication with Pi Sigma Alpha honors, also from the American University in Washington, DC. Dan is a native of Minneapolis, a former National Debate champion, and a member of the Florida and District of Columbia Bars. The Association of Medical Device Reprocessors (AMDR) is the global trade association for the regulated, commercial “single-use” medical device (SUD) reprocessing industry (known as “remanufacturing” in Europe). Founded in 1999, AMDR promotes reprocessing as an important healthcare strategy that helps hospitals and healthcare providers increase quality, reduce cost, cut waste, lower emissions, and strengthen the supply chain. AMDR protects the interests of its members in regulation, legislation, and standard-setting. AMDR is leading the way for reprocessing to play a defining role in the evolution and use of new device technologies that cost less, perform more safely, and produce less waste and emissions. Playlist: getting started with the circular economy… Want to know more about the what the circular economy really is, and how it can help your business?  Here’s a playlist to help you get to grips with the concept, how it creates value, and the common myths (spoiler alert – it’s much more than recycling!) #1 What is the circular economy: A quick intro to explain what the circular economy is and why it’s important. We explore how it helps create better products and services, and at the same time helps to make a better world. I break it down into my 5 circular economy components, helping you think about each part of your business. #2 The linear economy and your risk checklist: We dig a bit deeper into the way we do business now, the linear economy, and why that’s creating problems for business, society and our living planet. Also, we’ll look at the risks that emerge from those big-picture issues, and how they might affect your organisation. #90 Does circular mean it’s sustainable? Catherine Weetman is worried that companies are using circular economy solutions to grow their business (and their footprints). #101 Circular is better for people, planet and profit! How three simple strategies can help you get started with circular and regenerative solutions that are better for people, planet and profit. #120 Priorities are changing: people find life is better when we care for and share things – circular economy strategies make that better for business, too. And here’s Catherine’s guide: What is the circular economy?  Want to dig deeper? Why not buy Catherine’s award-winning book, A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business. This comprehensive guide uses a bottom-up, practical approach, and includes hundreds of real examples from around the world, to help you really ‘get’ the circular economy.  Even better, you’ll be inspired with ideas to make your own business more competitive, resilient and sustainable.  Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Podcast music Thanks to Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow, otherwise known as the brilliant, inventive and generous folk duo, O’Hooley & Tidow for allowing me to use the instrumentals from the live version of Summat’s Brewin’ as music for the podcast. You can find the whole track (inspired by the Copper Family song “Oh Good Ale”) on their album, also called Summat’s Brewin’.  Or, follow them on Twitter. Search for previous episodes….

One of recurring themes in the new edition of A Circular Economy Handbook (to be published in November 2025) is the importance of systems thinking and systems design. I’ve been reading Seth Godin’s book, This is Strategy, and he says successful strategies depend on two things: being conscious of the change we seek to make and the systems that can amplify or impede our progress. In other words, we must make sure we understand the different systems affecting the things we want to change. There can be multiple systems, many of which we have little control over. It’s also important to find the ‘leverage points’ – those places in complex systems where, as Donella Meadows said, ‘a small shift in one thing can produce big changes in everything.’ Pretty much every conversation in the last series gave me food for thought and insights for the book, and in this episode, I’d like to pick up on some of those. First, we’ll recap on the systems thinking tools and approaches in Martin Tomitsch and Steve Baty’s new book, Designing Tomorrow, and think about the impact of strategies and systems – who we affect, and what kind of impacts we’re responsible for. Then we’ll look more closely at one of the key differences between conventional and circular business models – the role of the customer, and the need for them to be active, rather than passive participants. Finally, we’ll unpick another recurring theme from the book – system value – a term used by the Future Fit Foundation for solutions where businesses address societal needs in a holistic way, while not hindering progress towards a flourishing future. The last series covers episodes 151 to 159: 151 Clarissa Morawski of Reloop Platform: practical policies for circular packaging 152 Markus Terho: The Lifestyle Test 153 Anette Timmer of DESSO: the beauty of circularity 154 Loic Le Fouest of Clarasys: creating circular customer experiences 155 Martin Tomitsch and Steve Baty: Life-centred design 156 Marcus Feldthus: the Post-Growth Guide for businesses 157 Liz Bui of Yulex: safer, sustainable materials 158 Steve Wilson of Compostify: bioplastics that enrich the planet 159 Kyle Wiens of iFixit: the rewards of repairability International speaker, author and strategic advisor, Catherine Weetman helps people discover why circular, regenerative and fair solutions are better for people, planet – and prosperity. Catherine’s award-winning book: A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.  Stay in touch for free insights and updates…  Read on for more on our guest and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention.  Don’t forget, you can subscribe to the podcast series on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PlayerFM, Spotify, TuneIn, or search for “circular economy” in your favourite podcast app.  Stay in touch to get free insights and updates, direct to your inbox… You can also use our interactive, searchable podcast index to find episodes by sector, by region or by circular strategy. Plus, there is now a regular Circular Economy Podcast newsletter, so you get the latest episode show notes and links delivered to your inbox on Sunday morning, each fortnight. The newsletter includes a link to the episode page on our website, with an audio player. You can subscribe by clicking this link to update your preferences. Links we mention in the episode: Books, people and organisations we mentioned Seth Godin, This is Strategy: Make Better Plans (2024) Authors Equity, USA https://www.sethgodin.com/ The Donella Meadows Project, a project of the Academy for Systems Change, Leverage points: the places to intervene in a system. Available from: donellameadows.org/archives/leverage-points-places-to-intervene-in-a-system/    The Future-Fit Foundation – the Benchmark https://benchmark.futurefitbusiness.org/index.html Impact Ripple Canvas from Designing Tomorrow by Martin Tomitsch and Steve Baty https://www.designingtomorrowbook.com/ Clarasys and University of Exeter’s Centre for the Circular Economy – report and toolkit on Creating Customer Experiences in the Circular Economy (2023) ce-hub.org/knowledge-hub/creating-customer-experiences-in-a-circular-economy-toolkit/ Catherine’s work: Circular Economy Podcast on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/circular-economy-podcast/ Circular Economy Podcast website: circulareconomypodcast.com Catherine Weetman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-weetman-9419107/ A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business – buy from any good bookseller, or direct from the publisher Kogan Page, which ships worldwide (free shipping to UK and US) https://www.koganpage.com/CircEcon2 Interactive podcast index https://www.rethinkglobal.info/circular-economy-podcast-index/ Rethink Global www.rethinkglobal.info Sign up to get the podcast player and shownotes for each new episode emailed to your inbox Playlist: getting started with the circular economy… Want to know more about the what the circular economy really is, and how it can help your business?  Here’s a playlist to help you get to grips with the concept, how it creates value, and the common myths (spoiler alert – it’s much more than recycling!) #1 What is the circular economy: A quick intro to explain what the circular economy is and why it’s important. We explore how it helps create better products and services, and at the same time helps to make a better world. I break it down into my 5 circular economy components, helping you think about each part of your business. #2 The linear economy and your risk checklist: We dig a bit deeper into the way we do business now, the linear economy, and why that’s creating problems for business, society and our living planet. Also, we’ll look at the risks that emerge from those big-picture issues, and how they might affect your organisation. #90 Does circular mean it’s sustainable? Catherine Weetman is worried that companies are using circular economy solutions to grow their business (and their footprints). #101 Circular is better for people, planet and profit! How three simple strategies can help you get started with circular and regenerative solutions that are better for people, planet and profit. #120 Priorities are changing: people find life is better when we care for and share things – circular economy strategies make that better for business, too. And here’s Catherine’s guide: What is the circular economy?  Want to dig deeper? Why not buy Catherine’s award-winning book, A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business. This comprehensive guide uses a bottom-up, practical approach, and includes hundreds of real examples from around the world, to help you really ‘get’ the circular economy.  Even better, you’ll be inspired with ideas to make your own business more competitive, resilient and sustainable.  Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Podcast music Thanks to Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow, otherwise known as the brilliant, inventive and generous folk duo, O’Hooley & Tidow for allowing me to use the instrumentals from the live version of Summat’s Brewin’ as music for the podcast. You can find the whole track (inspired by the Copper Family song “Oh Good Ale”) on their album, also called Summat’s Brewin’.  Or, follow them on Twitter. Search for previous episodes….

Kyle Wiens is the co-founder of iFixit, the international repair community known for open-source repair manuals and product teardown. Kyle is also one of my circular economy heroes! Since it started back in 2003, iFixit has empowered hundreds of millions of people to repair their broken stuff. Kyle led the international coalition that legalized Right to Repair, has testified before the US Congress and the International Trade Commission, and he is helping to develop global environmental standards. Kyle brings us up to speed on how iFixit has evolved over the last two decades, in its reach, offer and engagement. We talk about why we’ve ended up with so many products that are not designed to last and are hard – or impossible to repair, and why things are changing for the better. Kyle explains the importance of the Right to Repair legislation that’s being rolled out, how brands that don’t get on board risk losing out, and explains why we need much more information about product durability and repairability. We discuss some of the ways that brands can improve the design and durability of their products, and how iFixit can help them with that, and he offers a simple suggestion to help us all make better buying choices. International speaker, author and strategic advisor, Catherine Weetman helps people discover why circular, regenerative and fair solutions are better for people, planet – and prosperity. Catherine’s award-winning book: A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.  Stay in touch for free insights and updates…  Read on for more on our guest and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention.  Don’t forget, you can subscribe to the podcast series on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PlayerFM, Spotify, TuneIn, or search for “circular economy” in your favourite podcast app.  Stay in touch to get free insights and updates, direct to your inbox… You can also use our interactive, searchable podcast index to find episodes by sector, by region or by circular strategy. Plus, there is now a regular Circular Economy Podcast newsletter, so you get the latest episode show notes and links delivered to your inbox on Sunday morning, each fortnight. The newsletter includes a link to the episode page on our website, with an audio player. You can subscribe by clicking this link to update your preferences. Links we mention in the episode: Links for our guest: iFixit website https://www.ifixit.com/ Right to Repair info https://www.ifixit.com/Right-to-Repair Kyle Wiens on X/Twitter https://x.com/kwiens Kyle Wiens on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ifixit Books, people and organisations we mentioned Fairphone fairphone.com Dualit dualit.com Patagonia patagonia.com Circular Economy Podcast #133 Re-Action – repurposing: a new life for unwanted stuff https://www.rethinkglobal.info/133-re-action-repurposinga-new-life-for-unwanted-stuff/ Catherine’s work: Circular Economy Podcast on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/circular-economy-podcast/ Circular Economy Podcast website: circulareconomypodcast.com Catherine Weetman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-weetman-9419107/ A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business – buy from any good bookseller, or direct from the publisher Kogan Page, which ships worldwide (free shipping to UK and US) https://www.koganpage.com/CircEcon2 Interactive podcast index https://www.rethinkglobal.info/circular-economy-podcast-index/ Rethink Global www.rethinkglobal.info Sign up to get the podcast player and shownotes for each new episode emailed to your inbox Guest bio Kyle Wiens is the co-founder of iFixit, the repair community internationally known for open-source repair manuals and product teardown. iFixit has empowered hundreds of millions of people to repair their broken stuff. Kyle led the international coalition that legalized Right to Repair, has testified before Congress and the International Trade Commission, and he is involved in developing global environmental standards. Playlist: getting started with the circular economy… Want to know more about the what the circular economy really is, and how it can help your business?  Here’s a playlist to help you get to grips with the concept, how it creates value, and the common myths (spoiler alert – it’s much more than recycling!) #1 What is the circular economy: A quick intro to explain what the circular economy is and why it’s important. We explore how it helps create better products and services, and at the same time helps to make a better world. I break it down into my 5 circular economy components, helping you think about each part of your business. #2 The linear economy and your risk checklist: We dig a bit deeper into the way we do business now, the linear economy, and why that’s creating problems for business, society and our living planet. Also, we’ll look at the risks that emerge from those big-picture issues, and how they might affect your organisation. #90 Does circular mean it’s sustainable? Catherine Weetman is worried that companies are using circular economy solutions to grow their business (and their footprints). #101 Circular is better for people, planet and profit! How three simple strategies can help you get started with circular and regenerative solutions that are better for people, planet and profit. #120 Priorities are changing: people find life is better when we care for and share things – circular economy strategies make that better for business, too. And here’s Catherine’s guide: What is the circular economy?  Want to dig deeper? Why not buy Catherine’s award-winning book, A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business. This comprehensive guide uses a bottom-up, practical approach, and includes hundreds of real examples from around the world, to help you really ‘get’ the circular economy.  Even better, you’ll be inspired with ideas to make your own business more competitive, resilient and sustainable.  Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Podcast music Thanks to Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow, otherwise known as the brilliant, inventive and generous folk duo, O’Hooley & Tidow for allowing me to use the instrumentals from the live version of Summat’s Brewin’ as music for the podcast. You can find the whole track (inspired by the Copper Family song “Oh Good Ale”) on their album, also called Summat’s Brewin’.  Or, follow them on Twitter. Search for previous episodes….

Compostify makes truly home-compostable plant pots and other bioplastic solutions designed to nourish the earth. Its products naturally break down without leaving harmful residues, and Compostify says this packaging enriches the planet, rather than polluting it. Steve Wilson is the Co-founder and CEO of Compostify, with a background in scaling technology businesses. Steve is applying his expertise in innovation, partnerships, and market expansion to make compostable packaging a mainstream reality. We talk about where the idea came from, and how they partnered with researchers to develop solutions, with a very challenging design brief that would support scaling this out around the world. We talk about the criteria for the biomaterials and Steve explains the design features of the pots, meaning the Compostify solution enables ‘retailers, growers, nurseries, distributors, and manufacturers to transition to home compostable plant pots without sacrificing performance or ease of use.’  Steve also tells us about the feedback from gardeners, and the surprising benefits that emerged when commercial gardeners began using the pots. International speaker, author and strategic advisor, Catherine Weetman helps people discover why circular, regenerative and fair solutions are better for people, planet – and prosperity. Catherine’s award-winning book: A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.  Stay in touch for free insights and updates…  Read on for more on our guest and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention.  Don’t forget, you can subscribe to the podcast series on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PlayerFM, Spotify, TuneIn, or search for “circular economy” in your favourite podcast app.  Stay in touch to get free insights and updates, direct to your inbox… You can also use our interactive, searchable podcast index to find episodes by sector, by region or by circular strategy. Plus, there is now a regular Circular Economy Podcast newsletter, so you get the latest episode show notes and links delivered to your inbox on Sunday morning, each fortnight. The newsletter includes a link to the episode page on our website, with an audio player. You can subscribe by clicking this link to update your preferences. Links we mention in the episode: Links for our guest: Steve Wilson on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspsteve/ Compostify website https://compostify.com/ Insta https://www.instagram.com/compostifybioplastics/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Compostify/61568200167746/ Compostify  on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/compostify-bioplastics Books, people and organisations we mentioned European Commission Environment, Biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/plastics/biobased-biodegradable-and-compostable-plastics_en Catherine’s work: Circular Economy Podcast on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/circular-economy-podcast/ Circular Economy Podcast website: circulareconomypodcast.com Catherine Weetman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-weetman-9419107/ A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business – buy from any good bookseller, or direct from the publisher Kogan Page, which ships worldwide (free shipping to UK and US) https://www.koganpage.com/CircEcon2 Interactive podcast index https://www.rethinkglobal.info/circular-economy-podcast-index/ Rethink Global www.rethinkglobal.info Sign up to get the podcast player and shownotes for each new episode emailed to your inbox Guest bio Steve Wilson is the Co-founder and CEO of Compostify, leading the charge in home-compostable plant pots and sustainable bioplastics that break down naturally, leaving no harmful residues. With a background in scaling technology businesses, Steve applies his expertise in innovation, partnerships, and market expansion to make compostable packaging a mainstream reality. Before Compostify, Steve was the Founder and CEO of MSP Assist, helping Managed Services Businesses optimize IT infrastructure. He negotiated multi-year licensing deals with major U.S. companies, supported 500+ clients in real-time, and developed scalable SaaS solutions that transformed IT service models. Now, he’s bringing scalability and strategic growth to the fight against plastic waste. His expertise in business development, product innovation, and commercial partnerships is driving Compostify’s mission to replace single-use plastics with sustainable, compostable alternatives. Compostify is redefining sustainability with truly home-compostable plant pots and bioplastic solutions designed to nourish the earth. Founded by a team of innovators and environmental advocates, Compostify creates products that naturally break down without leaving harmful residues. Committed to making circular solutions accessible, the company has developed a plastic alternative that seamlessly integrates into everyday life. By simplifying end-of-life disposal, Compostify ensures its packaging enriches the planet rather than polluting it. Learn more at compostify.com.  Playlist: getting started with the circular economy… Want to know more about the what the circular economy really is, and how it can help your business?  Here’s a playlist to help you get to grips with the concept, how it creates value, and the common myths (spoiler alert – it’s much more than recycling!) #1 What is the circular economy: A quick intro to explain what the circular economy is and why it’s important. We explore how it helps create better products and services, and at the same time helps to make a better world. I break it down into my 5 circular economy components, helping you think about each part of your business. #2 The linear economy and your risk checklist: We dig a bit deeper into the way we do business now, the linear economy, and why that’s creating problems for business, society and our living planet. Also, we’ll look at the risks that emerge from those big-picture issues, and how they might affect your organisation. #90 Does circular mean it’s sustainable? Catherine Weetman is worried that companies are using circular economy solutions to grow their business (and their footprints). #101 Circular is better for people, planet and profit! How three simple strategies can help you get started with circular and regenerative solutions that are better for people, planet and profit. #120 Priorities are changing: people find life is better when we care for and share things – circular economy strategies make that better for business, too. And here’s Catherine’s guide: What is the circular economy?  Want to dig deeper? Why not buy Catherine’s award-winning book, A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business. This comprehensive guide uses a bottom-up, practical approach, and includes hundreds of real examples from around the world, to help you really ‘get’ the circular economy.  Even better, you’ll be inspired with ideas to make your own business more competitive, resilient and sustainable.  Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Podcast music Thanks to Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow, otherwise known as the brilliant, inventive and generous folk duo, O’Hooley & Tidow for allowing me to use the instrumentals from the live version of Summat’s Brewin’ as music for the podcast. You can find the whole track (inspired by the Copper Family song “Oh Good Ale”) on their album, also called Summat’s Brewin’.  Or, follow them on Twitter. Search for previous episodes….

Liz Bui takes us behind the scenes at Yulex, a material science company that’s replacing extremely useful, but problematic petroleum-based products with natural rubber alternatives. Liz Bui is Chief Executive Officer at YULEX, based in the USA. She began her career in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry where she spent 20 years in senior roles. On top of managing all operational and business matters at YULEX, Liz is an intellectual property and transactional lawyer, a PhD scientist and also an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law. Originally from Vietnam, at the age of six Liz escaped on the day Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) fell to the North Vietnamese forces.  She and her siblings, without their parents, were war refugees aboard a fishing boat until they were rescued by a US aircraft carrier. Like other Vietnamese refugees from that period, she was granted permanent residency and a new life in the U.S. We’ll hear about the origins and mission of Yulex and its long-term collaboration with Patagonia to develop natural rubber foam for wetsuits, replacing neoprene, a petroleum-based material. Liz explains some of the key principles underpinning Yulex’s approach to innovation, and how these are fundamental to helping it scale out and create benefits right across its value network. Liz talks us through some of the environmental and health issues associated with neoprene, and explains how Yulex is making it easier for suppliers to use natural rubber instead. She tells us about Yulex’s latest material innovation, Yulastic filaments – a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based elastane, aka spandex. And we hear how Yulex’s Equitable AG program supports rubber smallholders in Southeast Asia, distributing 50% of the profits back to them. International speaker, author and strategic advisor, Catherine Weetman helps people discover why circular, regenerative and fair solutions are better for people, planet – and prosperity. Catherine’s award-winning book: A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.  Stay in touch for free insights and updates…  Read on for more on our guest and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention.  Don’t forget, you can subscribe to the podcast series on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PlayerFM, Spotify, TuneIn, or search for “circular economy” in your favourite podcast app.  Stay in touch to get free insights and updates, direct to your inbox… You can also use our interactive, searchable podcast index to find episodes by sector, by region or by circular strategy. Plus, there is now a regular Circular Economy Podcast newsletter, so you get the latest episode show notes and links delivered to your inbox on Sunday morning, each fortnight. The newsletter includes a link to the episode page on our website, with an audio player. You can subscribe by clicking this link to update your preferences. Links we mention in the episode: Links for our guest: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-bui-yulex/ Yulex – https://www.yulex.com/stories Books, people and organisations we mentioned Join or Die documentary https://www.joinordiefilm.com/ Episode 97 Alice Mah – Plastic propaganda. Alice Mah, Professor of Sociology at the University of Warwick, helps us unpick the propaganda about plastics and their role in a circular economy https://www.rethinkglobal.info/97-alice-mah-unpicking-plastic-propaganda/   Catherine’s work: Circular Economy Podcast on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/circular-economy-podcast/ Circular Economy Podcast website: circulareconomypodcast.com Catherine Weetman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-weetman-9419107/ A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business – buy from any good bookseller, or direct from the publisher Kogan Page, which ships worldwide (free shipping to UK and US) https://www.koganpage.com/CircEcon2 Interactive podcast index https://www.rethinkglobal.info/circular-economy-podcast-index/ Rethink Global www.rethinkglobal.info Sign up to get the podcast player and shownotes for each new episode emailed to your inbox Guest bio Liz Bui is Chief Executive Officer at YULEX, based in the U.S.A. (Seattle, Washington). She began her career in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry where she spent 20 years as Vice President, Intellectual Property Counsel and Diversity & Inclusion Officer. Liz was responsible for all areas of intellectual property, corporate and license transactional matters.  Her biggest contribution was developing a formidable patent portfolio for the company’s type 1 diabetes cell therapy product, which significantly supported the acquisition of ViaCyte, Inc. for 320M USD by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a public company (VRTX)with a 117 B USD enterprise value in 2022. On top of managing all operational and business matters at YULEX, Liz is an intellectual property and transactional lawyer and a PhD scientist. Liz is also adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law teaching patent law and mentoring law students. Originally from Vietnam, at the age of six Liz escaped Vietnam the day Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) fell to the North Vietnamese forces.  She and her siblings, without their parents, were war refugees aboard a fishing boat until their rescue from the USS Midway. Like other Vietnamese refugees of that period, she was granted permanent residency and a new life in the U.S. In 2022, Liz and her husband, Jeff Martin, Founder of YULEX, relocated back to the country of her birth to build YULEX’s new supply chain. In response to working with rubber smallholders in rural areas of Vietnam, Liz created the Equitable Ag program, a profit-sharing programme that benefits smallholders from YULEX sales and success. It is in Vietnam (and Thailand) that Liz and Jeff Martin innovated and developed partners for their raw materials, YULEX (natural rubber) Foam and YULASTIC (natural rubber) Filaments. Liz and Jeff are now based in the U.S. living between Seattle and San Diego, where they reside with their children. Playlist: getting started with the circular economy… Want to know more about the what the circular economy really is, and how it can help your business?  Here’s a playlist to help you get to grips with the concept, how it creates value, and the common myths (spoiler alert – it’s much more than recycling!) #1 What is the circular economy: A quick intro to explain what the circular economy is and why it’s important. We explore how it helps create better products and services, and at the same time helps to make a better world. I break it down into my 5 circular economy components, helping you think about each part of your business. #2 The linear economy and your risk checklist: We dig a bit deeper into the way we do business now, the linear economy, and why that’s creating problems for business, society and our living planet. Also, we’ll look at the risks that emerge from those big-picture issues, and how they might affect your organisation. #90 Does circular mean it’s sustainable? Catherine Weetman is worried that companies are using circular economy solutions to grow their business (and their footprints). #101 Circular is better for people, planet and profit! How three simple strategies can help you get started with circular and regenerative solutions that are better for people, planet and profit. #120 Priorities are changing: people find life is better when we care for and share things – circular economy strategies make that better for business, too. And here’s Catherine’s guide: What is the circular economy?  Want to dig deeper? Why not buy Catherine’s award-winning book, A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business. This comprehensive guide uses a bottom-up, practical approach, and includes hundreds of real examples from around the world, to help you really ‘get’ the circular economy.  Even better, you’ll be inspired with ideas to make your own business more competitive, resilient and sustainable.  Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Podcast music Thanks to Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow, otherwise known as the brilliant, inventive and generous folk duo, O’Hooley & Tidow for allowing me to use the instrumentals from the live version of Summat’s Brewin’ as music for the podcast. You can find the whole track (inspired by the Copper Family song “Oh Good Ale”) on their album, also called Summat’s Brewin’.  Or, follow them on Twitter. Search for previous episodes….

Marcus Feldthus, an entrepreneur from Denmark and co-founder of the Post Growth Guide, shares insights on sustainable business practices beyond traditional growth. He discusses the importance of addressing social and planetary boundaries to craft real sustainability strategies. Feldthus explores how post-growth paradigms align with concepts like degrowth and regenerative economics. He highlights the need for trust in sustainability dialogues and introduces his upcoming book, emphasizing practical approaches for businesses to embrace innovative eco-friendly practices.

Martin Tomitsch and Steve Baty have written a brilliant book called Designing Tomorrow: strategic design tactics to change your practice, organization and planetary impact, published earlier this year. Martin Tomitsch is a Professor and Head of the Transdisciplinary School at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). As a design academic and educator, Martin advocates for the transformative power of design to envision speculative futures and drive positive change. He has written lots of academic articles and seven books, including Making Cities Smarter and Design Think Make Break Repeat. Steve Baty was the inaugural CEO of the Australian Design Council, co-founder of Meld Studios and co-founder of UX Australia. He is a Director of the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence and served two years as the President of the Interaction Design Association. Steve focuses on the integration between strategic design and traditional architectural practice, especially for improving our public spaces, infrastructure and services. You might be noticing interest around supporting responsible innovation in ways that consider all life – human and other-than-human. That might be badged as life-centred, regenerative or post-anthropocentric design, and Martin Tomitsch and Steve Baty say these approaches share an important goal, to ‘reach an operational status where human activity no longer exceeds the planetary limits.’ In Designing Tomorrow, Martin and Steve bring together several design philosophies, to help designers, strategists and policymakers amplify their impact, shift their perspectives and empower them to create lasting positive change inside organizations. We’ll talk about some of the concepts and tools they introduce in the book, why we need to carefully consider who is involved in a system and the broader implications of our design decisions, and ways to change our mindsets – including about stakeholders, our sphere of influence and how to think about strategic decisions. International speaker, author and strategic advisor, Catherine Weetman helps people discover why circular, regenerative and fair solutions are better for people, planet – and prosperity. Catherine’s award-winning book: A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.  Stay in touch for free insights and updates…  Read on for more on our guest and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention.  Don’t forget, you can subscribe to the podcast series on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PlayerFM, Spotify, TuneIn, or search for “circular economy” in your favourite podcast app.  Stay in touch to get free insights and updates, direct to your inbox… You can also use our interactive, searchable podcast index to find episodes by sector, by region or by circular strategy. Plus, there is now a regular Circular Economy Podcast newsletter, so you get the latest episode show notes and links delivered to your inbox on Sunday morning, each fortnight. The newsletter includes a link to the episode page on our website, with an audio player. You can subscribe by clicking this link to update your preferences. Links we mention in the episode: Links for our guests: Martin Tomitsch:  X: @martintom Bluesky: @martintomitsch.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martintomitsch/ Martin Tomitsch at the Transdisciplinary School (TD School)  X: @UTSTDSchool LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/uts-td-school/ Martin Tomitsch at the University of Technology (UTS)  X: @UTSEngage LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-technology-sydney/ Steve Baty:  Bluesky: @docbaty.bsky.social  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevebaty/ Books, people and organisations we mentioned Designing Tomorrow https://www.designingtomorrowbook.com/ Waste Wars, by Alexander Clapp https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/alexander-clapp/waste-wars/9781399803144/ Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/books King Living https://www.kingliving.com.au/ Terreform1 https://www.terreform.org/ Catherine’s work: Circular Economy Podcast on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/circular-economy-podcast/ Circular Economy Podcast website: circulareconomypodcast.com Catherine Weetman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-weetman-9419107/ A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business – buy from any good bookseller, or direct from the publisher Kogan Page, which ships worldwide (free shipping to UK and US) https://www.koganpage.com/CircEcon2 Interactive podcast index https://www.rethinkglobal.info/circular-economy-podcast-index/ Rethink Global www.rethinkglobal.info Sign up to get the podcast player and shownotes for each new episode emailed to your inbox Guest bios Martin Tomitsch is a Professor and Head of the Transdisciplinary School at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), home to the award-winning Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation. As a design academic and educator, Martin advocates for the transformative power of design to envision speculative futures and drive positive change. He has authored over 150 academic articles and seven books, including Making Cities Smarter, Design Think Make Break Repeat, and Designing Tomorrow. Martin is a founding member of the Urban Interfaces group at the University of Sydney, the global Media Architecture Institute, the Austrian Network for Information and Communication Technologies for Development, and the Life Centered Design Collective.b Steve Baty was the inaugural CEO of the Australian Design Council, co-founder of Meld Studios and co-founder of UX Australia. He is a Director of the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence and served two years as the President of the Interaction Design Association. Steve will be delivering a studio course to Masters of Architecture students at the University of Western Sydney in 2025, focusing on the integration between strategic design and traditional architectural practice. His practice is centred on improving our public spaces, infrastructure and services. Playlist: getting started with the circular economy… Want to know more about the what the circular economy really is, and how it can help your business?  Here’s a playlist to help you get to grips with the concept, how it creates value, and the common myths (spoiler alert – it’s much more than recycling!) #1 What is the circular economy: A quick intro to explain what the circular economy is and why it’s important. We explore how it helps create better products and services, and at the same time helps to make a better world. I break it down into my 5 circular economy components, helping you think about each part of your business. #2 The linear economy and your risk checklist: We dig a bit deeper into the way we do business now, the linear economy, and why that’s creating problems for business, society and our living planet. Also, we’ll look at the risks that emerge from those big-picture issues, and how they might affect your organisation. #90 Does circular mean it’s sustainable? Catherine Weetman is worried that companies are using circular economy solutions to grow their business (and their footprints). #101 Circular is better for people, planet and profit! How three simple strategies can help you get started with circular and regenerative solutions that are better for people, planet and profit. #120 Priorities are changing: people find life is better when we care for and share things – circular economy strategies make that better for business, too. And here’s Catherine’s guide: What is the circular economy?  Want to dig deeper? Why not buy Catherine’s award-winning book, A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business. This comprehensive guide uses a bottom-up, practical approach, and includes hundreds of real examples from around the world, to help you really ‘get’ the circular economy.  Even better, you’ll be inspired with ideas to make your own business more competitive, resilient and sustainable.  Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Podcast music Thanks to Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow, otherwise known as the brilliant, inventive and generous folk duo, O’Hooley & Tidow for allowing me to use the instrumentals from the live version of Summat’s Brewin’ as music for the podcast. You can find the whole track (inspired by the Copper Family song “Oh Good Ale”) on their album, also called Summat’s Brewin’.  Or, follow them on Twitter. Search for previous episodes….

Loic Le Fouest, head of the CX practice at Clarasys, is a leading authority on customer experience transformation. He discusses the critical need for improving customer engagement to foster circular experiences, highlighting insights from Clarasys' collaboration with the University of Exeter. Loic emphasizes the importance of understanding behavior change in circular initiatives, where customers shift from passive consumers to active participants. He also explores the integration of behavioral insights with financial metrics and the evolving expectations of customers towards circular products.

We hear insights from Anette Timmer of DESSO by Tarkett, a leading carpet brand that was an early adopter of circular economy principles. Anette Timmer began her journey with DESSO almost 18 years ago and has played a central role in the business’ transition to a circular economy model. Anette helps to bridge the gap between the vision and execution of circular transformation, using marketing and communications to educate audiences about circularity; develop stakeholder trust and transparency; inspire behaviour change among customers; and build advocacy and momentum across the wider industry. Anette is a strong advocate for cross-industry collaboration, where businesses share experiences, and work together to create systems to circulate products and materials. DESSO is now part of Tarkett and has a long-held belief in designing with people and planet in mind, and over a decade ago, it made a bold commitment to place circularity at the core of its ambitions. Moving towards a closed-loop system has involved a total change of mindset within the business. DESSO calls its commitment the Beauty of Circularity, and it drives the business to do more with less at every stage. Anette unpacks the three pillars of DESSO’s ‘Beauty of Circularity’ strategy: designing products to live multiple lives; developing innovative materials that are made to be remade; and building systems to return flooring at end of life to complete the circular journey. And sometimes, synchronicity steps in to lend a hand! International speaker, author and strategic advisor, Catherine Weetman helps people discover why circular, regenerative and fair solutions are better for people, planet – and prosperity. Catherine’s award-winning book: A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.  Stay in touch for free insights and updates…  Read on for more on our guest and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention.  Don’t forget, you can subscribe to the podcast series on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PlayerFM, Spotify, TuneIn, or search for “circular economy” in your favourite podcast app.  Stay in touch to get free insights and updates, direct to your inbox… You can also use our interactive, searchable podcast index to find episodes by sector, by region or by circular strategy. Plus, there is now a regular Circular Economy Podcast newsletter, so you get the latest episode show notes and links delivered to your inbox on Sunday morning, each fortnight. The newsletter includes a link to the episode page on our website, with an audio player. You can subscribe by clicking this link to update your preferences. Links we mention in the episode: Links for our guest: DESSO by Tarkett – website: https://professionals.tarkett.com/en_EU/node/desso-carpet-tile-and-roll-solutions-innovation-functionality-and-sustainability-5527 Beauty of Circularity: https://professionals.tarkett.com/en_EU/node/the-beauty-of-circularity-sustainability-campaign-18225 DESSO on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/desso DESSO on IG: https://www.instagram.com/desso_carpets/ ANETTE Timmer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anette-timmer-larsen-36702521/ Books, people and organisations we mentioned Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart https://mcdonough.com/cradle-to-cradle/ Catherine’s work: Circular Economy Podcast on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/circular-economy-podcast/ Circular Economy Podcast website: circulareconomypodcast.com Catherine Weetman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-weetman-9419107/ A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business – buy from any good bookseller, or direct from the publisher Kogan Page, which ships worldwide (free shipping to UK and US) https://www.koganpage.com/CircEcon2 Interactive podcast index https://www.rethinkglobal.info/circular-economy-podcast-index/ Rethink Global www.rethinkglobal.info Sign up to get the podcast player and shownotes for each new episode emailed to your inbox Guest bio Anette Timmer, Marketing Director Workplace & Hospitality for Tarkett EMEA Anette began her journey with DESSO almost 18 years ago, and has played a central role in the business’ transition to a circular economy model, through product innovation, marketing and communications. Within her role, Anette helps to bridge the gap between the vision and execution of Tarkett’s circular transformation, using marketing and communications to educate audiences about circularity; develop stakeholder trust and transparency; inspire behaviour change among customers; and build advocacy and momentum across the wider industry. Anette is a strong advocate for radical cross-industry collaboration, where businesses habitually work together to share experiences, close material loops and create systems that enable products, materials and energy to circulate efficiently across sectors. A Danish native, Anette has lived and worked in the Netherlands and in the UK. Before joining Tarkett, she gained international business experience in Product Marketing and Communications with Trelleborg Group, General Electric and Armstrong World Industries. DESSO by Tarkett is a leading global carpet brand, with a long-held belief in designing with people and planet in mind.  More than a decade ago, DESSO made a bold commitment to place circularity at the core of its ambitions. Moving away from the carpet industry’s standard take-make-waste model towards a closed-loop system has involved a total change of mindset within the business, alongside an ambitious strategy with challenging milestones. DESSO calls its commitment the Beauty of Circularity, and it drives the business to do more with less at every stage – designing products to live multiple lives; developing innovative materials that are made to be remade; and building systems to return flooring at end of life to complete the circular journey.  For DESSO, circularity is a continuous journey. Continuously improving materials, nurturing collaboration and creating products that reduce environmental impact. Closing the loop, day after day. Playlist: getting started with the circular economy… Want to know more about the what the circular economy really is, and how it can help your business?  Here’s a playlist to help you get to grips with the concept, how it creates value, and the common myths (spoiler alert – it’s much more than recycling!) #1 What is the circular economy: A quick intro to explain what the circular economy is and why it’s important. We explore how it helps create better products and services, and at the same time helps to make a better world. I break it down into my 5 circular economy components, helping you think about each part of your business. #2 The linear economy and your risk checklist: We dig a bit deeper into the way we do business now, the linear economy, and why that’s creating problems for business, society and our living planet. Also, we’ll look at the risks that emerge from those big-picture issues, and how they might affect your organisation. #90 Does circular mean it’s sustainable? Catherine Weetman is worried that companies are using circular economy solutions to grow their business (and their footprints). #101 Circular is better for people, planet and profit! How three simple strategies can help you get started with circular and regenerative solutions that are better for people, planet and profit. #120 Priorities are changing: people find life is better when we care for and share things – circular economy strategies make that better for business, too. And here’s Catherine’s guide: What is the circular economy?  Want to dig deeper? Why not buy Catherine’s award-winning book, A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business. This comprehensive guide uses a bottom-up, practical approach, and includes hundreds of real examples from around the world, to help you really ‘get’ the circular economy.  Even better, you’ll be inspired with ideas to make your own business more competitive, resilient and sustainable.  Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Podcast music Thanks to Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow, otherwise known as the brilliant, inventive and generous folk duo, O’Hooley & Tidow for allowing me to use the instrumentals from the live version of Summat’s Brewin’ as music for the podcast. You can find the whole track (inspired by the Copper Family song “Oh Good Ale”) on their album, also called Summat’s Brewin’.  Or, follow them on Twitter. Search for previous episodes….

Markus Terho tells us about the Lifestyle Test, a web-based app for anyone who’s concerned about global warming and wants to be a part of the solution by adopting a positive and sustainable lifestyle. It’s already available in 10 countries across the EU and has 350,000 users. Markus describes himself as a corporate responsibility veteran, with over three decades in the industry. He is the CEO of Sparkter, a boutique sustainability consultancy to help simplify and make sense of sustainability. Before that, Markus was the chief sustainability officer at Nokia and has been a director at the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. Markus is passionate about helping people to find their own way to build a good life that is also sustainable. Almost 70 per cent of Europe’s climate emissions and almost all of the damage to nature can be traced back to people’s everyday lives – how we eat, live, move around and consume. In less than 10 minutes, The Lifestyle Test gives you clear and tailored tips about simple positive and sustainable lifestyle changes that can help you save time and money and improve your quality of life. Markus explains how the test was first developed and how it’s evolved since, and explains some of the ways it’s been shaped for each different country it’s in. He goes onto explain what kind of things it covers and how it works from a user’s perspective, including the high proportion of circular economy suggested actions. Markus highlights the way conversations about climate often result in feelings of guilt and shame, and how the app is designed to help us feel we have agency, with some insights from well-established models for successful behaviour change. And we hear what’s in the pipeline for future developments, including ways to link more sustainable behaviours to other primary motivators, such as health or convenience. International speaker, author and strategic advisor, Catherine Weetman helps people discover why circular, regenerative and fair solutions are better for people, planet – and prosperity. Catherine’s award-winning book: A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.  Stay in touch for free insights and updates…  Read on for more on our guest and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention.  Don’t forget, you can subscribe to the podcast series on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PlayerFM, Spotify, TuneIn, or search for “circular economy” in your favourite podcast app.  Stay in touch to get free insights and updates, direct to your inbox… You can also use our interactive, searchable podcast index to find episodes by sector, by region or by circular strategy. Plus, there is now a regular Circular Economy Podcast newsletter, so you get the latest episode show notes and links delivered to your inbox on Sunday morning, each fortnight. The newsletter includes a link to the episode page on our website, with an audio player. You can subscribe by clicking this link to update your preferences. Links we mention in the episode: Links for our guest: Markus Terho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-terho/ The Lifestyle Test: https://www.lifestyletest.eu BBC Purchasing Powers feature of the Lifestyle Test: https://www.bbc.com/storyworks/purchasing-powers/the-finnish-innovation-fund-sitra Books, people and organisations we mentioned COM-B model of behaviour change – a guide https://social-change.co.uk/files/02.09.19_COM-B_and_changing_behaviour_.pdf Article on Eco-Anxiety and agency https://www.renewablematter.eu/en/eco-anxiety-turning-distress-into-an-ally-for-action Catherine’s work: Circular Economy Podcast on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/showcase/circular-economy-podcast/ Circular Economy Podcast website: circulareconomypodcast.com Catherine Weetman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-weetman-9419107/ A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business – buy from any good bookseller, or direct from the publisher Kogan Page, which ships worldwide (free shipping to UK and US) https://www.koganpage.com/CircEcon2 Interactive podcast index https://www.rethinkglobal.info/circular-economy-podcast-index/ Rethink Global www.rethinkglobal.info Sign up to get the podcast player and shownotes for each new episode emailed to your inbox Guest bio Markus Terho is a corporate responsibility veteran, with over three decades in the industry. He is currently the CEO of Sparkter, a boutique sustainability consultancy to help simplify and make sense of sustainability. Previously, he has served as the chief sustainability officer at Nokia and most recently he has worked as a director at the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. Markus is passionate about helping people to find their own way to build a good life that is sustainable. He has led teams with proven impact of accelerating people-centric sustainable transformation of society.  Markus holds several positions of trust including member of CSR Advisory Group of S Group, Chairman of The Planet Company Oy and he has served as Vice Chairman of Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) and Vice Chairman of Amnesty International Finland.  The Lifestyle Test is for anyone who’s concerned about global warming, and wants to be a part of the solution by adopting a positive and sustainable lifestyle. By taking a quick test, you can find out your personal carbon footprint. You also get tailored lifestyle tips and can create a plan for sustainable living. The Lifestyle Test is a web-based app, you’ll need about 2 minutes to answer the questions and you can build a plan in around 6 minutes – so in less than 10 minutes, you can get clear about simple positive and sustainable lifestyle changes that can help you save time and money and improve your quality of life. Plus, our planet will thank you – almost 70 per cent of Europe’s climate emissions and almost all of the damage to nature can be traced back to people’s everyday lives – how we eat, live, move around and consume. We can all play an active role in shaping a sustainable future. Let’s start today! Playlist: getting started with the circular economy… Want to know more about the what the circular economy really is, and how it can help your business?  Here’s a playlist to help you get to grips with the concept, how it creates value, and the common myths (spoiler alert – it’s much more than recycling!) #1 What is the circular economy: A quick intro to explain what the circular economy is and why it’s important. We explore how it helps create better products and services, and at the same time helps to make a better world. I break it down into my 5 circular economy components, helping you think about each part of your business. #2 The linear economy and your risk checklist: We dig a bit deeper into the way we do business now, the linear economy, and why that’s creating problems for business, society and our living planet. Also, we’ll look at the risks that emerge from those big-picture issues, and how they might affect your organisation. #90 Does circular mean it’s sustainable? Catherine Weetman is worried that companies are using circular economy solutions to grow their business (and their footprints). #101 Circular is better for people, planet and profit! How three simple strategies can help you get started with circular and regenerative solutions that are better for people, planet and profit. #120 Priorities are changing: people find life is better when we care for and share things – circular economy strategies make that better for business, too. And here’s Catherine’s guide: What is the circular economy?  Want to dig deeper? Why not buy Catherine’s award-winning book, A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business. This comprehensive guide uses a bottom-up, practical approach, and includes hundreds of real examples from around the world, to help you really ‘get’ the circular economy.  Even better, you’ll be inspired with ideas to make your own business more competitive, resilient and sustainable.  Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we’d love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Podcast music Thanks to Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow, otherwise known as the brilliant, inventive and generous folk duo, O’Hooley & Tidow for allowing me to use the instrumentals from the live version of Summat’s Brewin’ as music for the podcast. You can find the whole track (inspired by the Copper Family song “Oh Good Ale”) on their album, also called Summat’s Brewin’.  Or, follow them on Twitter. Search for previous episodes….