Over a decade ago, when my son was a baby and I was becoming concerned with the state of the planet, I learned about the zero waste movement. I read about women who generated so little garbage it all fit in a mason jar. I, on the other hand, was knee-deep in disposable products and...
Circular economy products and services
The circular economy is all about keeping materials in the loop. But we can't keep materials in the loop without innovation and companies that make it easier to do that. So here you'll discover the latest regenerative and circular economy products and services. A few of my favorites include a baby clothes rental service, products with refills like Beautycounter's deodorant, and shoes made from recycled materials. Plus, learn how to keep materials from ending up in the landfill.
Innovative business leaders in environmental sustainability
I’ve spent the last few weeks watching virtual green conferences and interviewing business leaders and entrepreneurs working on environmental sustainability. It's been fun to see how many companies seem to be making real commitments to reducing emissions, the circular economy and sustainable innovation. I’ll explain more about what I found in just a bit, but...
How to rent baby clothes (and why)
When my son was born ten years ago I was shocked by how fast he outgrew his clothes. He outgrew the cute little sweater I bought for $40 before he even had a chance to wear it. Same with the teeny tiny shoes he never wore. Then there's the dark blue shirt he wore once...
How to develop a circular business model
When we all went home for the COVID-19 lockdown in March many non-essential businesses were forced to stop manufacturing and shipping products. Even essential products like toilet paper, face masks, hand sanitizers, and cleaning products quickly became difficult to find. So I wanted to understand how businesses can avoid these issues in the future. I...
The simple guide to Regenerative Organic Certified products
You probably already eat organic when you can, and if you're like me and still eat meat and poultry, you buy grass-fed and pasture-raised whenever possible. Which is great! Local and organic is always a good choice. But if you've ever wondered if the food we eat can not only be more nutritious but also...
How one entrepreneur changed recycled clothing into upcycled fashion
Christina Johnson grew up tinkering with scraps of textiles in her parents’ tailoring and alteration store. Even as a child she saw the value in those materials. However, during an internship at a factory in India, she learned how clothing upcycling could be done on a larger scale. Christina and her mom, Liz Bordessa, decided...
From flame-throwing robots to biomass & biochar
Artist Jim Mason was creating flame-throwing robots for Burning Man when the city of Berkeley turned off the power. So Mason and the artists he worked with needed an alternative to getting power from the grid. They tried solar energy and diesel generators without luck. Then Mason discovered an old manual from Sweden that explained...
What is circular economy versus recycling?
This is an excerpt from my conversation with Katie Whalen from the Getting in the Loop podcast. We discuss what circular economy is and how it is different from recycling. Before we get into the interview, let's define circular economy and recycling. What is a circular economy? A circular economy is based on the principles...
How to be part of the circular fashion industry using SellHound
If you have a closet full of unworn clothes and shoes, this week's episode is for you. SellHound CEO Suzanne Wouk and Deborah Lindsay, SellHound's Director of Operations and Sustainability, explain why buying and selling second-hand clothes is one of the most sustainable things you can do. They also explain how the SellHound App turns...
Carbon storage and regenerative agriculture with Erik Hawkins
If you're interested in how the food you eat affects climate change, I hope you'll listen to this episode. In this interview, I talk with Erik Hawkins from Soil Value Exchange. Erik explains what carbon storage is, how cows can have a positive impact on the soil, and why incentives are so important for the...
Circular economy principles with Katie Whalen
In this series, I interview circular economy expert Katie Whalen about circular economy principles companies can use when designing products, and consumers can look for when buying products. This is part 1. Listen to the full episode on Getting in the Loop. What does circular economy mean? Rebecca: What does circular economy mean? Katie: In...
What is a circular economy and why do we need one?
When I tell people that I write about circular economy products I almost always get a blank stare followed by, “what’s a circular economy” or “I’ve never heard the words circular and economy together.” Luckily one of my favorite things to do is explain what a circular economy is, why we need one and what...
Circular economy companies to watch
Modular sofas, micro insurance, lunchboxes as a service, and an electric delivery tricycle were just a few of the innovations featured in last week's ThinkDif conference. Here are a few circular economy companies I'll be watching. Sofa For Life: Modular furniture Sofa For Life is designed to grow with you. Start off with the single...
Why SodaStream is healthier for you and the planet
Each summer I’m in Sweden I notice most homes have a SodaStream. I tried another bubble brand a few years ago only to be stuck with empty CO2 refill cylinders that I didn’t know what to do with. But I decided it was time to try again, and I’m so glad I did! Here’s why....
How regenerative farming offers one solution to global warming
You've probably heard agriculture is a large contributor to global warming, and growing food for livestock is part of that problem. But farming and cattle have the potential to become a solution. The regenerative agriculture movement offers an alternative to farming and raising cattle in a way that destroys the land. Instead, farmland can become...
Inspiring circular economy examples
You may be hearing a lot of buzz and theories about the shift toward a circular economy. But it's time for the rubber to meet the road. I compiled this list of circular economy examples so you can see not only the products coming out of the circular economy movement but also the companies disrupting...
The guide to circular economy products
A circular economy requires that companies innovate and rethink common products to reduce waste and use less natural resources. Circular design concepts worked into these products include upcycling, zero-waste packaging, and return to refill. Below is a list of excellent circular economy products you can buy today. Beautycounter's refillable deodorant Beautycounter's refillable deodorant* has quickly...
Shoe & clothes recycling at a retailer near you
Major retail stores around the country are accepting old shoes and clothes for recycling in a move toward a circular economy. If your closet is full of clothes that no longer fit or "spark joy," find a drop off location below and your old rags will be recycled or upcycled into something new. Why Recycle...
