THE NEXT ECONOMY -
More brands seem to be taking a two-pronged approach to growth — continuing to sell new products while demonstrating their ‘care’ for the planet through circular initiatives and takeback schemes. When will companies truly commit to changing the products they sell and how
they sell them?
WASTE NOT -
A new accelerator from the US Plastics Pact aims to catalyze broader adoption of reusable and refillable packaging options, while an upskilling program from
rePurpose Global aims to help sustainability leaders more effectively tackle plastic pollution.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
CEO Jesús Linares discusses the rigors of achieving Cradle-to-Cradle certification, and venturing further into reuse and upcycling for the goal of 100% circularity by 2025.
CLEANTECH -
Globally, 80% of wastewater is discharged into local environments with minimal or no treatment — water that could be recycled and reused. California-based startup Aquacycl's waste-to-energy solution protects water resources while helping companies reduce costs.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
The Swiss sports brand has created a supply chain coalition with LanzaTech, Borealis and Technip Energies to transform captured carbon into running shoes.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
EVs might mitigate tailpipe emissions; but cars emit another massive, overlooked form of pollution: Tire particles. The Tyre Collective is spearheading the monitor of tire wear and capturing tire particles at the source.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
New report shares insights to guide retailers on effective reusable bag models — a key solution as regulations to reduce reliance on single-use plastic bags grow across the US.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
37.5 Technology is offering brand partners a new additive that greatly improves and expedites the biodegradability of textiles, for free — to encourage broader industry adoption and help eliminate one of our biggest polluters.
WASTE NOT -
The inventive, waste-free, single-serve coffee system means that portioned coffee no longer needs to be surrounded by an aluminum or plastic capsule.
WASTE NOT -
Venues with proper composting infrastructure can utilize the playbook to prevent plastic and organic waste from accumulating in landfills. Future editions will further explore how to expand venue logistics to implement comprehensive zero-waste programs.
FROM PURPOSE TO ACTION: BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TOGETHER -
Enabling a circular economy is a complicated challenge that governments, communities and businesses globally are struggling to solve. But as Dow’s work in Africa proves, solutions exist — and success comes when organizations and communities collaborate to create change rooted in local context.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Many brands that offer pre-owned merchandise through their own retail channels initially do it for sustainability reasons — to keep useful products out of landfills. While that is an important benefit of recommerce, thinking of it only in those terms is overlooking major business opportunities.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The Biomimicry Institute’s 2022 cohort of Ray of Hope Prize finalists are leveraging nature’s genius to revolutionize textiles, wind turbines, waste remediation, building materials, cleaning products, sunscreen, plastics and more.
WASTE NOT -
Between new approaches to labeling, innovative coatings, redistribution and data-driven solutions, retailers across the Western world continue to fight the
good fight against food waste.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
A key component of Procter & Gamble’s Climate Transition Action Plan is reducing the amount of virgin fossil-based plastic in packaging by 50% by 2030. How can P&G brands do their part, without compromising on the unique beauty, branding and functionality of their packaging?
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Latest research from Planet Tracker proposes a practical business solution to the problem of plastic waste, whereby packaging is treated as an asset to be returned, rather than a liability to be tossed.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
The latest in a growing wave of circular textile innovations, the materials-science company and the global retailer have both launched collections that turn waste materials into new, colored textiles that require no dyeing.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
Supplant breaks down typically wasted agricultural fiber into its signature product, Sugars from Fiber — an entirely new category of sugars, which performs like sugar in the kitchen while retaining the nutritional properties of fiber,
and mitigating the impacts of one of the world’s most environmentally destructive crops.
WASTE NOT -
The problems we’re facing aren’t going to be solved by forgoing plastic straws. Yes, every small action makes a difference; but these actions need to be a piece of a greater puzzle in which every council, government, company and community is building towards better waste management overall.