WASTE NOT -
July 28, 2023 marks the point when plastic produced surpasses the planet’s capacity to manage it. By tracking this date, we can more clearly understand the problem; and hold governments, businesses and individuals to
account for their role in it.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Visa is partnering with COS, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and more to address the barriers that stop consumers from embracing a circular economy.
WASTE NOT -
Vivobarefoot’s new scan-to-print, circular design platform enables rapid prototyping — saving development and lab time, labor, and materials waste. The company is seeking 200 UK participants to test the first generation of VivoBiome footwear.
FINANCE & INVESTMENT -
Robert Downey Jr's FootPrint Coalition is taking a three-pronged approach to boosting environmental science and technology — including a science engine that funds non-traditional innovators, a VC fund for scaling promising solutions, and a media platform that amplifies the innovations.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
Modern Meadow’s Bio-VERA™ is a high-performance, upcycled alternative to traditional bovine leather with significantly lower environmental and supply chain impacts.
WASTE NOT -
The cross-industry collaborative has reached 80% of its goal of diverting 25K MT of ocean-bound plastic by 2025. Now, it is working to ensure that the plastic is sourced with high ethical standards.
WASTE NOT -
Toynovo has created a subscription model for toys that eliminates waste, along with a co-creative approach to play that enhances creative thinking and problem-solving capacities.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
The GSMA estimates that if properly recycled, 5B mobile phones could recover US$8B worth of gold, palladium, silver, copper, rare earth elements and other critical minerals; and enough cobalt for 10M electric car batteries.
CLEANTECH -
The Smart Store — expected to be ~50% more energy efficient than a typical supermarket — will also work as Danfoss’ test center for energy-efficiency technologies.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
In 2021, global construction projects consumed 30B tonnes of cement to make concrete — with every tonne emitting almost a tonne of CO2. The good news is, technologies already exist to reduce the impact of concrete production.
WASTE NOT -
Helping people on the front lines of manufacturing and materials management understand company sustainability goals, and providing the leadership support to contribute to achieving them, empowers them to take a more conscious approach to disposal.
MARKETING AND COMMS -
A corresponding survey of US adults reveals the beverage industry has ‘more work to do when it comes to education’ around proper recycling.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
CCS proponents argue it can offset emissions from hard-to-abate sectors such as energy and heavy industry; while opponents fear it could further the status quo and distract from the need for real emissions reductions.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
Along with being sub-optimal for human health, many conventional cooking oils contribute to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and soil and water pollution. Fermented oils could save both the environment and our diets.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
HOK’s design focus is not only on reducing building emissions, but also the environmental impact of materials and the health of building occupants. The firm's regenerative design studio also explores how buildings can be net positive for the environment.
CLEANTECH -
The Danish clean-energy giant is working with Vestas to incorporate low-carbon steel towers and recycled turbine blades into its offshore wind farms, and Solarcycle to recycle its end-of-life solar panels.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Despite procedural hiccups and ongoing debates on key issues, a first draft of a treaty will be ready for the next INC meeting in Nairobi later this year.
WASTE NOT -
Last weekend’s Women’s event was the first Champions League Final to deploy returnable service ware, starting a long-term collaboration in reducing waste at major sports events.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
EcoSPIRITS’ EcoTOTE system replaces traditional, 1.75-liter liquor bottles with reusable glass containers that reduce emissions by 60-90% while maintaining product quality.
WASTE NOT -
It will take a culture change for consumers to join the food-waste recycling movement; but the good news is, it’s underway at the production and manufacturing level.