The Circular Economy Show Podcast

Danielle Holly, Executive Lead for North America at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, shares insights on the burgeoning circular economy across the continent. She highlights how political shifts are propelling practical circular solutions in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The discussion delves into the significance of supply chain resilience and critical minerals as business opportunities. Danielle also addresses the 'say-do' gap and emphasizes the role of community events, like Climate Week NYC, in fostering sustainability among leaders.

In this engaging conversation, Joe Iles, Head of Design Activation at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, sheds light on the transformative power of circular design. He explains how it diverges from traditional methods, emphasizing that designers can eliminate waste and pollution right from the drawing board. Joe discusses the challenges of transitioning to a circular economy, the need to blend sustainability with consumer appeal, and the essential skills designers must harness to drive impactful change. A must-listen for anyone passionate about design and sustainability!

Lei Chen, a circular economy researcher with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, dives into China's pivotal role in addressing climate change through circular strategies. They explore China's historical roots in circular practices and the 2008 Circular Economy Promotion Law. Chen discusses how linking consumption strategies to carbon neutrality can yield significant emission reductions. With a 'triple-play' solution involving emission cuts, material security, and resilience enhancement, he highlights transformative potential for key sectors like plastics and mobility.

In this discussion, Julia Okatz from Systemiq and Joss Bleriot of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation explore the transformative power of circular economy strategies for European cities. They cover how integrating nature into urban planning can enhance resilience against climate challenges like heat domes. The conversation also highlights the economic and environmental gains from revitalizing urban biodiversity, while emphasizing adaptable policies that promote sustainability and livability. Get ready to rethink urban spaces for a greener, thriving future!

The circular economy can no longer be sidelined as a ‘nice to have’. Not only can it future-proof individual business operations, it can also help entire industries stay competitive and resilient in a fast-changing world.  In this episode we’re going back to the beginning of the year, when Seb caught up with Lindsay Hooper, CEO for the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and Joe Murphy, Executive Lead of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s business network. Together, they discuss why the end of the ESG hype bubble, far from being the end of business-led action, could mark a real shift in corporate circular economy approaches. Join us to hear about: How the commercial and competitive case for the circular economy is becoming more compelling by the minute And, at the same time, what still needs to happen to shift market-level dynamics at scaleLearn more about CISL.This conversation originally featured in episode 170: ‘What should businesses do to scale a circular economy?’ published in January 2025.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

Ke Wang, a researcher at the World Resources Institute, dives into the intricate relationship between critical minerals and circular economy strategies. She emphasizes how essential minerals like lithium and cobalt are vital for renewable energy, and discusses the geopolitical risks linked to increased mining. Ke highlights practical approaches to recycling EV batteries and the significance of copper's recyclability. The conversation underscores the need for balanced policies that champion both recycling and reuse to secure a sustainable energy future.

Discover how Arc’teryx is revolutionizing retail with their in-store ReBIRD service, promoting sustainable repairs. Learn why repairs are essential for extending product life and fostering customer loyalty. Dive into the strategic shift towards circular business models and the operational hurdles faced by brands. Explore how these practices are broadening access for diverse customer groups and enhancing engagement in the fashion industry. This shift not only supports sustainability but also tells a compelling story in the outdoor gear market.

Sara Eriksson, a circular business models expert at H&M Group, teams up with Chloe Holland from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to discuss innovative strategies in fashion. They dive into the Fashion ReModel initiative, exploring how brands embrace resale, rental, and repair to keep clothes in circulation. The duo highlights H&M's resale platform, Sellpy, addressing the challenges of shifting to circular models in a linear economy. They also touch on the critical role of policy and finance in scaling these sustainable practices.

In this episode of the Circular Economy Show, our guests Georgie Rose from Selfridges and Simon Davies from VISA tell us how they have been working together to find out.Collaborating with Mindworks Marketing to optimise messaging and branding for promoting circular shopping behaviours, Georgie and Simon discuss how their behavioural lab has been bridging the gap between customer intent and action.Listen to this episode to hear:How the behavioural lab initiative focuses on subtle language variations to influence customer behavior towards circularity How current efforts are focusing on beauty products to make refills as appealing as buying new ones How the initiative is working to embed circular shopping as a norm and make it more intuitive and excitingLearn more:Read ‘The marketing playbook for a circular economy’Don’t miss last week’s episode, Ep 185: How can marketers turn ideas into impactful action?Check out episode 176:  Driving demand for circular economy: What marketers need to knowMake sure you’re subscribed to the Circular Economy Show to find out about our future episodes on the marketing playbookIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

For years, marketers have been helping to shape how consumers think and feel about products that are driving the linear economy. However in this episode of the Circular Economy Show, we explore how they can harness their skills to unlock the opportunities that the circular economy provides. We’re joined by experts Deb Caldow, Global Marketing Director at Diageo, and Rachel O’Reilly, Global Research Lead at Accenture Song. Their experiences provide an insight into how we can turn ideas into impactful actions that deliver both economic growth and environmental benefits.Join us to find out:How marketers are leveraging storytelling to inspire interest in circular productsWhy they should engage closely supply teams to ensure innovations align with market demandThe importance of internal buy-in and a willingness to experiment when scaling circular solutionsLearn more:Read the ‘The marketing playbook for a circular economy’.Check out episode 176,’ Driving demand for circular economy: What marketers need to know’ to hear more about the playbook with Kantar and Swapfiets.Make sure you’re subscribed to the Circular Economy Show to find out about our future episodes on the playbook.