Circular Pioneers

🏔️ Are we climbing the WRONG mountain? “We looked at the map, then at the mountain, then at the map again… and we realized: we’re on the wrong mountain.” 💥 Right now, our economy is driving us toward climate collapse, resource depletion, and social inequality. And yet, we keep pushing forward, as if we’re on the right path. But what if we’re not? A few snippets from the podcast with Circular Economist Harald Friedl: 🔹 "We are burning down the house we live in." Yet, we act as if we can stay forever. 🔹 "More people doing something bad is still bad." Growth for the sake of growth isn’t progress. 🔹 "A government is supposed to shape the future of a country. That’s it." But they only reflect what we demand. So what do we do? We stop. We rethink. We climb a new mountain—a circular, regenerative economy that actually works for people and the planet. In this episode of Circular Pioneers, Harald Friedl breaks down why our system is failing, how to fix it, and what YOU can do to lead the change. 🎧 Listen now on every podcast platform of your choice. Linktr.ee/circularpioneers ______________ #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #SystemChange #ClimateCrisis #FutureofBusiness #GreenLeadership Janina Nieper Robert Blaauboer Pardis Faqiri

What happens when the Provincie Noord-Brabant unites the changemaker in the furniture industry? They form valuable connections. They inspire action. And they take tangible steps toward a circular future together. 💬 "We need to shift towards an economy (...) where we highlight more and more the local collaboration, where the waste of one becomes the resource of the other." – Marieke Kamphuis, The Substitute 💬 "We can talk a lot about sustainability. But in essence, it's about the circular business model within planetary boundaries. And that this approach can still be nice, creative, and positive." – Anne-Marie Rakhorst, Duurzaamheid.nl 💬 "What we need are entrepreneurs who are not used to working together, to get to know each other and together take the step towards circularity." – Dennis Hermans, Provincie Noord-Brabant 💬 "Bringing people together sparks the right conversations. You can find a lot online, but nothing beats real-life connection." – Marije Remigius, Circu Leren A huge thank you to everyone who made this event such a success. And to the Provincie Noord-Brabant, thank you for allowing us to capture the energy and atmosphere of the day. And a special shout-out to Marije Remigius, who made it all possible with her ability to bring the right people together. 📽️ Watch the highlights in the video below! #CircularEconomy #Collaboration #Sustainability #CircularBusinessModel #Networking

🎙️ "If you are part of the problem, you can be part of the solution" - Sabrina van Dongen on Circular Design It's absurd that 317kg of furniture waste is discarded every second in Europe alone. Sabrina, Managing Director of Furnify, part of D/DOCK, recalls their Aha-moment of realising that it all starts with our approach to design. Sabrina’s words cut straight to the heart of the problem: our society's “use-and-discard” mentality. But with Furnify, she’s proving that there’s a better way. By reclaiming and repurposing unused furniture, Sabrina and her team are breathing new life into discarded materials—turning what others see as waste into beautiful, functional interiors. If you equally ask yourself "What are we doing?", then you are in a for a treat. Listen to the whole episode on your favourite podcast platform of your choice: https://lnkd.in/dVAz22Pe And if you are planning to remodel you office, now you know who to reach out to for a circular approach. 😉 Furnify - Circular Design & Build Robert Blaauboer Janina Nieper Pardis Faqiri #furniture #circulareconomy #fastfurniture #circulardesign The Substitute Anne-Marie Rakhorst

100 years of Planned Obsolescence. 100 years of intentional exploitation of the planet. 100 years of pushing endless consumption. 100 years of designing products to fail. 100 years of valuing profit over planet. And this is enough. The 15.01.1925 marks the formation day of the Phoebus cartel. A cartel made up of corporations such as OSRAM, General Electric, Philips, and others to intentional limit the quality of their product - a lightbulb - to upkeep consumption. A business strategy designed to make products break, become outdated, lose value and forcing us to buy more. What started as a way to fuel economic growth, ended up fueling waste, pollution and climate breakdown. We now used more resources in the last 6 years than in the entire 20th century alone. We use up 1.7 Earths worth of resources, depleting the Earth every year more. We are here to say, 100 years is enough. It's time for a new era of business to designing for products made to last. This system of business was designed. And it can be redesigned. Together, let's change the system. Who is in? Share the story, change the system. #EndPlannedObsolescence #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #DesignForDurability #CircularPioneers _______________ We can't do this alone. If you're ready to challenge the status quo and push for lasting change, join us. 👉 Interested in becoming a campaign partner for the 100 Years of Planned Obsolescence campaign? Let’s collaborate and make an impact. 🌍 Do you believe in our mission? Make it possible: https://lnkd.in/dsgasZre

Our wish for 2025: 'mindset shift from within'   We asked all our Circular Pioneers Podcast guests the same question:   "If you could change one thing in the current system, what would it be?"   Visionary architect and circular thought leader Thomas M. Rau shared his profound and simple solution to change our current system:   "Everybody's meditating every day for 10 minutes. If we would do that, everything would change."   In 2025, let's embrace this call for inner transformation. Because we believe that true circularity isn't just about systems, materials, or processes—it starts within us. A more mindful world creates space for better choices, stronger connections, and a deeper respect for our planet. What mindset shift will you focus on this year?   Share the story, change the system.   #circularioneers #meditation #circulareconomy #sustainability #changemaker Robert Blaauboer RAU Pardis Faqiri Janina Nieper  

"There is no transition without circular financing." A sentence Hilde Sijbring, circular hero and Senior Policy Advisor Circular Economy at Dutch Banking Association, dropped during our conversation about the current status of the financial sector. Unfortunately, traditional financing models fall short: ❌ They overlook linear risks. ❌ They deplete resources. ❌ They rely on backward-looking assessments. And yet, circular business models are often still difficult to finance because banks have difficulties in assessing the risks of new and different business models. Hilde brings it to the point: It’s time to integrate circular principles into financial decision-making. In our latest podcast, we discuss: 🔄 Integration of risk assessments ♻️ Designing out waste to drive long-term value. 📈 Embedding sustainability into risk assessments. The financial sector holds the power to create a more sustainable future. Are we ready to lead the charge? 🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/dVAz22Pe And to state it in Hilde's words: "The only future that we have is in my opinion a circular one." Share the story, change the system. #SustainableFinance #CircularEconomy #Leadership #economics #riskassessment #systemchange Robert Blaauboer Janina Nieper Pardis Faqiri

The secret to eliminating waste? Rethinking it. Waste isn’t waste - it’s an unidentified resource. Architect and visionary Thomas Rau shows us how to break free from the linear “take-make-waste” mindset by creating material passports. This way, buildings are treated as material depots that can be reused in the future. 💭What if every product came with a second life planned? Congrats to RAU on 32 years of existence and pushing the boundaries of how we design! Share the story, to change the system. ⚡️ #systemchange #circulareconomy #regenerate #rethink #redesign #materialbank #circulararchitecture #circulardesign Madaster Thomas M. Rau Produced by Robert Blaauboer Pardis Faqiri Janina Nieper

How do we fix a broken system? In the latest episode of Circular Pioneers, Marije Remigius dives into the heart of the challenges facing the interior design industry: 💭 "We all know something needs to change, but where do we even begin?" From the disproportionate taxes on labor vs. materials to the mindset shifts needed for real sustainability, Marije unpacks the barriers—and solutions—for creating a circular economy. Discover actionable principles, the importance of local reuse, and how innovation like Inter Matter is paving the way for designers to make smarter, circular choices. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: linktr.ee/circularpioneers What do you think needs to change? #CircularEconomy #SustainableDesign #InteriorDesignInnovation #lca #sustainablematerials #circulardesign Inter Matter Jutplaats Circu Leren Produced by Robert Blaauboer, Pardis Faqiri, Janina Nieper

Up to 40% of clothing produced is never sold, often ending up directly on landfill. A shocking fact about the status quo of an industry, where the exploitation of resources and humans is still the norm. In our recent episode of the Circular Pioneers Podcast we deep-dived into the textile industry. From the human condition, the harsh conditions of production, to an industry that intentionally overproduces to fuel demand. 73% goes to landfill at the end of the life cycle, whilst 40% end up on landfill unsold or worn. (source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Circular Fashion) We are happy to speak to Thami Schweichler and Paul Kerssens from United Repair Centre about their mission of making repair cool again. And the best part? Both pioneer that a business can be profitable whilst aligning with sustainable and social ambitions. So tune in and recommend it to a friend. Because Thami and Paul are on a mission of making the world a better place, one repair at a time. What is your most surprising fact about the fashion industry? Share the story, to change the system 🚀 Available on all podcast platforms of your choice. https://lnkd.in/dVAz22Pe #waste #textilewaste #repair #unitedrepair #textile #fashionindustry #humandcondition #pioneers Robert Blaauboer Pardis Faqiri Janina Nieper

💃🕺 How can progressive regulation for festivals fuel a clean future? Festivals are like a microcosmos, with abundant creativity and plenty of space for experimentation. They are a source of inspiration and a catalyst for innovation, clean alternatives and circular solutions. It's in their DNA to think beyond boundaries, which can fuel clean energy solutions, make the transition to a circular economy, and set an example for challenges in urban environments. Innovative and successful solutions result from guidelines with progressive regulations for festivals in Amsterdam. This is one of the topics Arjan Hassing of CircuLaw highlights in the next episode of our Circular Pioneers Podcast. With Arjan, we discuss all the ins and outs of circular legislation. Spot on to share circular creativity in the festival world with you now, as this was one of the topics discussed at Amsterdam Dance Event and #ADEGREEN2024. Nature was officially on stage as artist this year, and during ADE Green there was a spotlight on the positive results of the Green Deal Circular Festivals. 🎧 Check out the full podcast episode with Arjan Hassing now on Spotify, Apple Podcast or YouTube. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dVAz22Pe 👉 Via this link you'll find also more conversations with Jacqueline Cramer | Ellyne Bierman - Hagen ♻️ | Thomas M. Rau and many other circular pioneers. 💚 Our Circular Pioneers Podcast host: Janina Nieper 📣 Circular Pioneers Podcast: "Share the story, change the system." ⚡ ⚡ #circulareconomy #circularpioneers #circularity #sustainability #systemchange #festivals #greendeal #greenfuture