What if the key to advancing the circular economy lies in bridging the gap between digitalization and sustainability? In this episode of The Circular Coffee Break, Malahat Ghoreishi, Senior Lecturer and RDI Expert at LAB University of Applied Sciences, shares her insights on the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of circularity and digital technologies. With a background in industrial engineering, global management, and AI, Malahat discusses the need for a unified definition of circular economy, the role of education in fostering sustainable habits, and the transformative power of digital technologies like AI, IoT, blockchain, and 3D printing in driving the transition to circularity.

Malahat reflects on the current state of research around circularity and the need for a more focused and unified understanding of what circular economy means at the organizational level. She emphasizes the importance of education in promoting circularity, highlighting initiatives like the Horizon 22 project, which involves high school students in reviewing and providing feedback on academic papers to make research more accessible. The conversation also explores the role of digital technologies in tracking supply chains, monitoring product life cycles, and fostering sustainability, as well as the need for greater collaboration between universities, companies, and consumers to drive systemic change.

Why listen?

• Discover the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of digitalization and circular economy, and the need for a unified definition of circularity.
• Explore the role of education in fostering sustainable habits and the importance of making research more accessible to younger generations.
• Learn about the transformative power of digital technologies like AI, IoT, blockchain, and 3D printing in driving the transition to circularity.
• Understand the importance of collaboration between universities, companies, and consumers in promoting circularity and fostering systemic change.
• Hear Malahat’s perspective on the role of data in tracking supply chains, monitoring product life cycles, and creating new business models.

Whether you are a sustainability professional, educator, or technology enthusiast, this episode offers a thought-provoking perspective on the role of digitalization in advancing the circular economy and the need for greater collaboration and education to drive systemic change.

Keywords: circular economy, digitalization, Malahat Ghoreishi, LAB University of Applied Sciences, AI, IoT, blockchain, 3D printing, education, sustainability, collaboration, supply chain transparency, product lifecycle, systemic change, Horizon 22, data tracking, business models

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What if the key to a circular economy lies in how we design products from the very beginning? In this episode of The Circular Coffee Break, Tapani Jokinen, a globally recognized strategic and circular design expert, shares his insights on the pivotal role of circular design in fostering sustainability and resilience. With 28 years of experience in consumer electronics and strategic design, including his work at Microsoft and Nokia where he designed the iconic Nokia 3310, Tapani discusses how circular design principles can transform products, services, and systems to minimize environmental impact and maximize value.

Tapani emphasizes that 80% of a product’s environmental impact is determined during the design stage, making circular design expertise critical in the transition toward a circular economy. He introduces the Circular Design Framework as a tool to help companies identify opportunities for sustainable design strategies, manage the entire product lifecycle, and break away from traditional silos to drive systemic change. The conversation explores practical examples, such as a Berlin-based startup developing a sustainable kitchen blender, and highlights the importance of collaboration across disciplines, departments, and organizations to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

Why listen?

• Discover how circular design principles can minimize environmental impact and maximize value by keeping resources in use for longer.
• Explore the Circular Design Framework and how it helps companies adapt and deliver sustainable design strategies.
• Learn about the importance of collaboration across disciplines, departments, and organizations to drive systemic change.
• Understand how circular design can be applied across various industries, from electronics to fashion, and the role of leadership, regulation, and customers in driving circular design principles.
• Hear Tapani’s perspective on the future of circular design, where products are made to be more durable, reusable, upgradable, and easy to maintain.

Whether you are a designer, business leader, or sustainability professional, this episode offers a thought-provoking perspective on how circular design can drive sustainable innovation and shape the future of the circular economy.

Keywords: circular economy, circular design, Tapani Jokinen, strategic design, sustainable innovation, Circular Design Framework, product lifecycle, systemic change, collaboration, Nokia 3310, sustainable kitchen blender, durability, reusability, upgradability, leadership, regulation, customer engagement

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What if the key to achieving circularity lies in transforming traditional supply chains into interconnected ecosystems? In this episode of The Circular Coffee Break, Anna Aminoff, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management and Social Responsibility at Hanken School of Economics, shares her insights on the evolving landscape of sustainable supply chains and the shift toward circular ecosystems. With a background in research, strategic sourcing, and circular economy, Anna discusses the challenges and opportunities of embedding sustainability into supply chain management and the critical role of procurement in driving this transformation.

Anna reflects on the progress and challenges in sustainable supply chains over the past few years, highlighting the growing recognition of supply chain management’s importance in achieving sustainability goals. She explores the complexities of transforming linear supply chains into circular models, including the need for greater transparency, collaboration, and systemic change. The conversation also touches on the role of legislation, consumer behavior, and the importance of urban mining and critical raw materials in fostering circularity. Anna emphasizes the need for procurement to transition from a cost-saving mindset to one of collaboration, circular business models, and ecosystem thinking.

Why listen?

• Discover how sustainable supply chains are evolving and the growing recognition of their role in achieving circularity.
• Explore the challenges of transforming linear supply chains into circular ecosystems, including transparency, collaboration, and systemic change.
• Learn about the role of legislation, consumer behavior, and critical raw materials in driving circularity.
• Understand the importance of procurement in fostering circular business models and the need for a cultural shift in procurement practices.
• Hear Anna’s perspective on the role of public procurement in promoting circular solutions and the need for collaboration among stakeholders.

Whether you are a sustainability professional, supply chain manager, or business leader, this episode offers a thought-provoking perspective on the future of sustainable supply chains and the shift toward circular ecosystems.

Keywords: circular economy, sustainable supply chains, Anna Aminoff, Hanken School of Economics, circular ecosystems, procurement transformation, transparency, collaboration, systemic change, legislation, consumer behavior, urban mining, critical raw materials, circular business models, public procurement, stakeholder collaboration

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What if the key to unlocking the green energy transition lies not in a single solution but in a mosaic of innovative approaches? In this episode of The Circular Coffee Break, Ben Medland, CEO and Founder of Drift Energy, shares his vision for harnessing the vast potential of the oceans to produce green hydrogen and accelerate the global energy transition. With a background in defense, strategy, and transformation, Ben discusses how Drift Energy is pioneering a decentralized approach to renewable energy by deploying a fleet of sailboats that generate green hydrogen from seawater using AI-driven routing algorithms.

Ben reflects on the evolving energy market, the challenges of scaling green hydrogen production, and the role of decentralized solutions in addressing the limitations of traditional renewable energy sources. He emphasizes the importance of overcoming distractions and maintaining focus on long-term goals, as well as the potential for small island nations to leapfrog traditional energy infrastructure and become energy-independent through innovative solutions like Drift’s technology. The conversation also explores the broader landscape of the energy sector, including the role of regulation, investment, and geopolitics in shaping the future of renewable energy.

Why listen?

• Discover how Drift Energy is harnessing the power of the oceans to produce green hydrogen and contribute to the global energy transition.
• Explore the challenges and opportunities of scaling green hydrogen production and the role of decentralized solutions in addressing energy limitations.
• Learn about the historical analogies and lessons that can be applied to modern energy innovation, such as the rapid shipbuilding efforts of World War II.
• Understand the importance of overcoming distractions and maintaining focus on long-term goals in the energy transition.
• Hear Ben’s perspective on the potential for small island nations to leapfrog traditional energy infrastructure and become energy-independent through innovative solutions.

Whether you are a sustainability professional, energy industry insider, or simply interested in the future of renewable innovation, this episode offers a thought-provoking perspective on the role of decentralized solutions in driving the green energy transition.

Keywords: circular economy, green energy transition, Drift Energy, Ben Medland, decentralized energy, green hydrogen, renewable innovation, AI routing algorithms, ocean energy, energy independence, small island nations, energy transition, regulation, investment, geopolitics, renewable energy, scaling production, historical analogies

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the key to sustainability isn’t just about reducing harm but about creating positive impact? In this episode of The Circular Coffee Break, Anne Larilahti, VP of ESG at Amer Sports, shares her insights on how businesses can move beyond the mindset of "being less bad" to actively "being more good." With a background in sustainability leadership and a deep understanding of the intersection between business strategy and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, Anne discusses how companies can embed sustainability into their core operations to drive innovation, resilience, and long-term value.

Anne reflects on the evolving role of ESG in the corporate world, emphasizing the need for businesses to adopt a proactive and holistic approach to sustainability. She explores how Amer Sports is integrating circularity, innovation, and purpose-driven strategies to not only reduce its environmental footprint but also to create positive social and economic impact. The conversation also touches on the importance of leadership in driving systemic change, the role of regulation and consumer demand in accelerating sustainability efforts, and the need for businesses to think beyond compliance to embrace sustainability as a competitive advantage.

Why listen?

• Discover how Amer Sports is moving beyond the mindset of "being less bad" to actively "being more good" through ESG leadership and sustainability innovation.
• Explore the role of ESG in driving systemic change and how businesses can embed sustainability into their core operations.
• Learn about the importance of leadership in accelerating sustainability efforts and the need for a proactive and holistic approach.
• Understand how regulation and consumer demand are shaping the future of sustainability and the role of businesses in creating positive impact.
• Hear Anne’s perspective on the competitive advantage of sustainability and the need for businesses to think beyond compliance.

Whether you are a sustainability professional, business leader, or conscious consumer, this episode offers a thought-provoking perspective on the future of ESG and the role of businesses in driving positive change.

Keywords: circular economy, ESG, sustainability leadership, Amer Sports, Anne Larilahti, sustainability as a competitive advantage, systemic change, innovation, resilience, long-term value, regulation, consumer demand, positive impact, core operations, proactive approach, holistic sustainability

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What if the solution to the global waste crisis lies in rethinking how we package and consume food? In this episode of The Circular Coffee Break, Iida Miettinen, impact entrepreneur and founder of Kamupak, shares her journey from marketing to sustainability advocacy and her mission to revolutionize the takeaway food packaging industry. Kamupak offers a digital deposit system for reusable takeaway packaging, combining physical reusable containers with a digital platform to track and manage their lifecycle. This innovative approach aims to make reusability as easy and convenient as possible for both consumers and businesses.

Iida reflects on the evolving landscape of sustainability and circularity, highlighting the positive impact of increased consumer awareness, regulatory initiatives, and the role of businesses in accelerating the adoption of sustainable practices. She discusses Kamupak’s recent partnerships with Kesko and Kotipizza Group, as well as the company’s expansion into new markets like Sweden. The conversation also explores the importance of regulation in driving change, the need for systemic collaboration, and how individuals can contribute to making reusable packaging the norm.

Why listen?

• Discover how Kamupak is addressing the global waste crisis by providing a digital deposit system for reusable takeaway packaging.
• Explore the role of regulation in driving the adoption of reusable packaging and the need for brave tools to change consumer behavior.
• Learn about Kamupak’s partnerships with Kesko and Kotipizza Group and their expansion into new markets like Sweden.
• Understand the importance of systemic change and collaboration in making reusable packaging the norm.
• Hear Iida’s perspective on how individuals can contribute to accelerating the use of reusable packaging and driving sustainable change.

Whether you are a sustainability professional, entrepreneur, or conscious consumer, this episode offers a thought-provoking perspective on the future of reusable food packaging and the systemic change required to make it a reality.

Keywords: circular economy, reusable packaging, Kamupak, Iida Miettinen, digital deposit system, takeaway food packaging, sustainability, circular innovation, regulation, consumer awareness, systemic change, collaboration, Kesko, Kotipizza Group, Sweden, waste crisis, reusable containers

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What happens when hundreds of circular economy professionals gather to exchange ideas, challenges, and solutions? In this special episode of The Circular Coffee Break, Michael Hanf is joined by Jaakko Nauha (Chief Commercial Officer at TraceGrow), Alisa Mick (Founder of MiXi Centre), and Thomas Knuts (Project Manager, Circular Economy, Jakobstad Region Development Company Concordia) to reflect on the key takeaways from the World Circular Economy Forum 2023 in Helsinki. Together, they discuss the progress, gaps, and opportunities in the circular economy movement, as well as the urgent need to turn discussions into action.

The conversation explores the shift from talking about circularity to implementing regenerative and nature-based solutions, the importance of funding and finance in scaling circular innovations, and the role of ecosystems in driving systemic change. The guests also highlight the need for greater involvement from the business sector, particularly large corporations, and the importance of bridging the gap between policymakers, startups, and industry leaders. Additionally, they address the challenge of making circularity more accessible and understandable to the broader public, emphasizing the need for education, awareness, and practical examples that resonate with everyday life.

Why listen?

• Discover the key themes and insights from WCEF 2023, including the shift toward regenerative economy and nature-based solutions.
• Explore the role of funding and finance in scaling circular innovations and the need for greater collaboration between policymakers, startups, and industry leaders.
• Learn about the importance of ecosystems in driving systemic change and the need for large corporations to embrace circularity.
• Understand the challenges of making circularity more accessible and the need for education, awareness, and practical examples.
• Hear the guests’ perspectives on the urgency of turning discussions into action and the role of the younger generation in driving change.

Whether you are a sustainability professional, entrepreneur, or simply interested in the future of circularity, this episode offers a thought-provoking reflection on the state of the circular economy and the work that lies ahead.

Keywords: circular economy, WCEF 2023, World Circular Economy Forum, Jaakko Nauha, Alisa Mick, Thomas Knuts, regenerative economy, nature-based solutions, circular innovation, funding, finance, ecosystems, systemic change, business sector, policymakers, startups, education, awareness, practical examples, urgency, action

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What if the key to a sustainable fashion industry lies in rethinking how we produce, consume, and collaborate? In this episode of The Circular Coffee Break, Sissi Penttilä, Sustainability Specialist at Reima and co-author of the upcoming book The Planetary Wardrobe, explores the transformative power of circularity in the retail apparel industry. With a background in regional development, political institutions, and corporate sustainability, Sissi shares her insights on how brands, consumers, and regulators can work together to drive systemic change.

Sissi reflects on the evolution of the fashion industry, from the rise of fast fashion to the growing demand for sustainable and circular solutions. She discusses Reima’s initiatives, such as creating mono-material products to enhance recyclability, collaborating with second-hand platforms like Emmy, and implementing repair kits to extend the life of their products. The conversation also highlights the role of regulation, particularly the EU’s push for separate waste streams for textiles, and how policy changes are accelerating the industry’s shift toward circularity. Sissi emphasizes the importance of cross-company collaboration, consumer awareness, and the need for a mindset shift in how we view clothing—from consumables to investment goods.

Why listen?

• Discover how Reima is leading the charge in circular fashion through mono-material products, repair kits, and second-hand collaborations.
• Explore the role of regulation in driving circularity, including the EU’s push for separate waste streams for textiles and the potential for global alignment.
• Learn about the challenges of recycling synthetic materials and how brands like Reima are contributing to the development of recycling solutions.
• Understand the importance of consumer awareness and the need for a mindset shift in how we view clothing as investment goods rather than consumables.
• Hear Sissi’s perspective on the social and environmental benefits of circularity, including the potential for job creation and reduced emissions in the supply chain.

Whether you are a sustainability professional, fashion industry insider, or conscious consumer, this episode offers a thought-provoking perspective on how cross-company collaboration can unlock circular value and drive the fashion industry toward a more sustainable future.

Keywords: circular economy, sustainable fashion, Reima, Sissi Penttilä, circular value, cross-company collaboration, mono-material products, repair kits, second-hand fashion, EU regulation, textile waste, recycling solutions, consumer awareness, mindset shift, investment goods, supply chain sustainability, emissions reduction, living wage program

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What if regulation and standardization could be the catalysts for circular innovation? In this episode of The Circular Coffee Break, Julian Lauten-Weiss, a circular economy researcher, lecturer, and consultant, shares his insights on the transformative power of circularity and the importance of common language, standards, and innovation in driving the sustainability agenda. With a background in research at the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, and as a co-founder of a sustainability-focused startup, Julian discusses the evolution of circular economy discussions beyond the initial principles outlined by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

Julian reflects on the ongoing debates within the ISO Technical Committee 323, where experts are working to define the scope of a circular economy. He explores the tension between a purist view, which focuses solely on circulation, and a holistic view, which considers enablers like education, innovation, and sustainability. The conversation also highlights how regulation and standards can catalyze entrepreneurship and innovation, with examples from Julian’s research, such as startups emerging to address challenges posed by new regulations. One notable example is a company offering modular and adjustable pallets, showcasing how circularity became an integral part of their business model.

Why listen?

• Discover how the circular economy has evolved from its initial principles to a more granular and holistic discussion.
• Explore the role of regulation and standards in catalyzing entrepreneurship and innovation in the circular economy.
• Learn about the ongoing debates within the ISO Technical Committee 323 and the importance of defining a common language and standards.
• Understand how startups are emerging to address challenges posed by new regulations, with examples like modular pallets.
• Hear Julian’s perspective on the geopolitical importance of circularity for resource independence and resilience.

Whether you are a sustainability professional, entrepreneur, or business leader, this episode offers a thought-provoking perspective on the role of regulation and standardization in driving circular innovation and the multifaceted benefits of embracing circularity.

Keywords: circular economy, regulation, standardization, ISO Technical Committee 323, Julian Lauten-Weiss, circular innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, modular pallets, resource independence, resilience, circular business models, common language, standards, innovation

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