Circular Design Collective

Join us in the discussion to develop #healthymaterials and achieve vibrant #localeconomies! We're excited to see that in the Northeast US #biobasedmaterials representatives including raw material suppliers, material manufacturers, educational institutions, designers, architecture firms, developers, and policymakers came together to address how regionally produced, renewable building materials can be scaled and brought to market. "To accelerate progress, new systems, case studies, education tools, and building codes need to be developed." Another summit is planned for the end of 2024. Sign up for the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design newsletter to learn more:

Excited to see where this glass recycling project goes! Congrats to the New Orleans (USA) college venture working to divert glass bottles from landfills and crushing them into sand for coastal restoration efforts. #GlassHalfFull #wetlands #erosion #optimism #recycling #upcycling #circulareconomy #circularmaterials

Re-sharing the interactive Climate Capital Stack Map: #CTVC has been tracking the who’s who of climate tech investments for the past few years. Filter through the 378 most active supporters/investors by investor type and geographical location. Circular Design Co can help founders navigate a match! #circularmaterials #climatetech #marketintelligence #climatecapital

Circular Materials success story! Japanese startup Spiber secured $65M to accelerate production for use in the fashion, automotive and personal care industries. Their fermentation-derived Brewed Protein fiber, made from agricultural waste as feedstock, is plant-based, biodegradable and cruelty-free, and can serve as a substitute for cashmere, fur, wool, leather, silk and plastic-based synthetic fabrics. Spiber Inc. #circulareconomy #circularmaterials #plantbased

Research shows that most fashion brands could reduce their GHG emissions by more than 60% for less than 1 - 2% of their revenues. TLDR how: 1. Create commercial value from your sustainability strides 2. Focus on the big two: Material transition and tier-two-supplier energy transition 3. Build a carefully prioritized, robust road map 4. Get granular on data 5. Boost execution and transformation management 6. Make collaborations action oriented Circular Design Co is here to help! #decarbonization #fashion #sustainablestyle #sustainabilitytargets #emissionsreductions

Excited to follow new series “From The Lab” by the alliance between the Wyss Institute at Harvard University and Collaborative Fund in NYC. Together they’re working to bridge the gap between the lab and industrial scale for innovative sustainable materials. Key blockers to a #circulareconomy include: - Cost relative to the incumbent - High capex required to adopt new processes - Difficulty integrating new elements into existing supply chains - Challenge of supplying required materials at an industrial scale Circular Design Co's work is to help material and product manufacturers navigate this gap.

What if scale itself is the problem? It’s our “nature” to think we can technologize or capitalize our way out of this mess, but the concept of constant growth is inherently at odds with sustainability. #scale #impact #circulareconomy

Traditional plastic cutlery and packaging is so cheap, so how did compostable cutlery and packaging (a more premium option) become the choice so many food vendors are willing to offer when it’s not yet a fully circular solution? #circularity #compost

We are visual creatures, which is why I love this clear and simple description of the CO2 food emissions from transport. It just shows how our choices can have a significant impact.

As we discussed in our first post, algae's unique cellulosic structure makes it a biodegradable wonder with exceptional functional qualities. Ongoing research aims to fine-tune the mechanical and chemical properties of algae fibres, ensuring they meet the high standards demanded by diverse textile and industrial applications. 🌐 Now, let's spotlight the companies at the forefront of the algae fibre movement: ·      Keel Labs: Introducing Kelsun™, their signature seaweed-based biomaterial making waves across the textile industry. ·      LOLIWARE Inc.: The innovators behind The Blue Carbon Straw have now crafted a seaweed resin, set to replace the very foundations of plastic. ·      Algenesis Materials: Leveraging Soleic™ technology, Algenesis swaps petroleum oil with algae oil, creating biodegradable polyurethane for products like surfboards and shoe foams. ·      BLOOM Sustainable Materials: Manufacturing resins with a significant algae blend, Bloom's renewable content of 45% offsets petroleum-based raw materials, pushing the boundaries of sustainability. ·     SMARTFIBER: From cellulose and brown seaweed, Smartfiber weaves yarn and fabric for diverse textiles, particularly in sports and leisure. 🌊 Know of more organizations championing the algae revolution? Share your insights in the comments below! Let's keep the conversation flowing towards a post-petroleum tomorrow. 🌿✨  #Algae #Textiles #CircularEconomy