CIRCLETTER ⭕ #15: Australia only 3.7% circular & What 4 circular futures can be...
Harald Friedl
Circular Economist | LinkedIn Top Voice | Send me your content for sharing | Helping organisations to go 'from linear 📏 to circular ♻️'
1) What happened last week?
International Woman Day just happened this week. It's the shift from "Ego to Eco" that we need to empower circular and regenerative economies. Everywhere, all at once: in our businesses, cities and communities. "Women are wired to care", writes my colleague Ashleigh Morris (GAICD) in an article where she explores "If and how women are uniquely placed to address systemic challenges". Shout out to all the amazing women driving global systems change. Among those Eva Gladek Kirsten Dunlop Sandrine Dixson-Declève that I have and had the pleasure to work with.
"EU Deal on Sustainable Packaging"
The EU struck deal to reduce Packaging waste and ban single-use plastics. The new EU-wide packaging targets include a reduction of 5% by 2030 and 15% by 2040, while all packaging is expected to be fully recyclable by decade’s end.
More on the EU Deal here.
Very positive: Again we hear that savvy investors focus more and more on the circular economy. Encouraging - and very much reflects my daily conversations.
Dutch Circular Economy week 11-16 March:
This week the 9th edition of the "Circular Economy Week" is taking place. Check out the programme. Worthwhile to check out where the journey is going - as the circular economy in one of the "Captitals of Circularity" is unfolding. We will share the latest news on business opportunities, consumer trends such as upcycling or reuse as well as look at what cities have been up to.
"AI Action Lab for Circularity"
Would be great to see you at the "𝐀𝐈 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐛 for Circularity", we will be co-hosting to unleash the potential of "AI for the circular transition!
Join us Thursday March 14 for an 1-hour mini-hackathon 💚👉🏻 March 14, 2-3pm, CET. 👉🏻 Get your ticket here.
2) Curated Reads
2.1. Green Unicorns: Marketplaces to lead the way
Circular marketplaces offer several key advantages that position them as powerful agents of change in driving the growth of the circular economy. One major advantage is lower transaction costs. By providing a centralized platform for buying and selling pre-owned goods, circular marketplaces reduce the time, effort and expense involved in finding buyers and sellers for used products. This increased efficiency lowers the barriers to participation in the circular economy.
2.2. Amazon teams with recycling robot firm to track package waste
Can recycling robotics technology find out what happens to packaging once it leaves consumers’ hands?
2.3. Geodata as a tool for the Circular Economy
Even if we were to reuse all demolition materials, it's not nearly enough to meet new construction demand.”This is especially true for reusing wood from construction, according to a case study she did.
2.4. A automotive industry case study: Using blockchain to drive supply chain transparency
2.5. To build a circular economy, look to the auto industry’s success
One of the best, established examples of a circular economy is hiding in plain sight. From circular business models and designs to digital product passports.
2.6. India: Why circular economy is crucial for the growth of India's battery industry
India’s aspiration to achieve net zero emissions by 2070 hinges significantly on the success of its EV sector,
2.7. Australia's circularity rate very low: at 3.7%
Australia is moving towards a circular economy, but more can be done.
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2.8. The Danish City Reimagining Reuse
In Aarhus, material exchange centers are preventing everything from dishes to electronic devices from going to waste
2.9. Ikea Proves Increased Revenue and Sustainability Go Hand-In-Hand
What inspiration to take from Ikea's "doubling down" on circularity?
2.10. Alarm on Renewable Energy's Toxic Waste Dilemma
How to address the sustainability challenge of renewable energy's toxic waste. A circular approach is key.
3) Circular Calendar 2024
4) Infographic of the week: Which circular future?
Since focusing on the work as a circular economist - I have been thinking a lot about how to describe the "Circular Futures".
Techno-optimists aim to decouple a growth oriented consumer economy from environmental impact using technological innovation and market mechanisms.
Techno-sceptics, on the other hand, emphasise the need to move away from resource-intensive and consumerist lifestyles, adopting “low-tech” innovations to reduce resource use.
In DrTanya Tsui's PhD thesis, I have found this infographic. 4 four future scenarios.
What do you think about them?
5) Video of the week - "Regenerate Nature"
To support the shift from a take-make-waste, linear economy to one that is circular by design, we must support natural processes and leave more room for nature to thrive. No longer should our focus be simply on doing less harm to the environment, but on how we can actively improve it. In this video, we learn more about the third and final principle of the circular economy - to regenerate nature.
6) Other great circular economy news sources
Very much suggest also to follow Alessia Falsarone and Sophie Jackson for other circular newsletters.
7) Feedback & circular actions
Feel free to share - and happy to hear your feedback 🙏
Want to take concrete circular actions - more at:
Owner, Solstice Green Directory
9moThank you for sharing this.
CEO, Zero Waste Strategies | TRUE Advisor | I help businesses reduce waste for cost savings & a green marketing edge | Public Speaker | Board Member | Published Author | Former professional dancer & choreographer 🩰
9moGreat compilation of information, Harald! I do have to mention that women are leading more effectively and with stronger results because of our innate ability to incorporate compassion and empathy into our professional decision-making. But, anyone can learn to tap into these basic human emotions. Men are “wired to care”, as well, but under the male-created systems of capitalism, white supremacy, and patriarchy, these emotions have generally not been allowed in men’s individual upbringing and learned leadership practices, as they’re seen as weaknesses. From where I stand, women’s leadership and innovation are being used to clean up the mess men have made around the world for generations because of ego-driven decisions and lust for prestige. Our planet cannot take much more of the effects from men’s historical thirst for power and greed. To save our world, we must band together and lead with emotional intelligence rooted in heart-centered service to others. The future is female. Might as well join us! 🌎
Circular Economy Researcher, Lecturer & Consultant
9moThank you for this great summary of interesting developments! I'm very curious about the report that "savvy investors focus more and more on the circular economy" but the link leads to "Amazon teams with recycling robot..." - could you provide the link to the story about investors?
Great newsletter. Thanks for including my article on circular marketplaces. The circular economy needs scale and ways to reduce friction around transactions that support reuse, repurposing, repair, and recycling. Circular marketplaces provide key advantages over companies trying to go circular alone. One major advantage is lowering the transaction of discovery and processing transactions between buyers and sellers. The other is scale. The world's three largest circular market places collectively facilitate about $50 billion in transactions annually. If we look at sectors like electronics, we find there are now 30 circular marketplaces operating around the world, many of which have popped up in the past 5 years. It is a start but many more circular marketplaces will be needed to make the global economy (including Australia) more circular. 😎