Plastic. Climate. Future.

In this episode, we sit down with Emma Samson from Searious Business. Throughout the episode, Emma explains the concept behind Searious Business, namely, their work with businesses in the field of packaging, consumer electronics and furniture to make their plastic products more circular either through suggesting new alternatives or working towards sustainability regulations. During this, Emma enlightens us on Searious Business' mantra - "we are not anti-plastic, we are anti the misuse of plastic!".

During our conversation, Emma shared her insights obtained from her maritime work in the North Sea. Her past firsthand experiences, coupled with her report on plastic sightings near docks and beaches, underscore the urgency of addressing ocean pollution. With this in mind, Emma suggests that the impact of regulation and the increase in community awareness has led to a reduction in ocean pollution. However, in certain areas of the globe this is still not the case,  reporting situations where the river is overwhelmed by a massive quantity of trash.

Finishing the episode, Emma motivates the young sustainability enthusiasts in our audience to stay positive so that they can have a meaningful impact!

In our latest podcast episode, Marcel Lubben from Brightlands Venture Partners, delves into the intricacies of transitioning to a circular economy, shedding light on both the challenges and opportunities it presents.

Brightlands Venture Partners is a venture capital fund manager that invests in innovative start-up companies in the areas of agrifood, health and renewable sector. One of those investments is none other than Circularise!

During the episode, Marcel shares his first major application in the industry, a generally applicable and biodegradable monomer that was used to develop the first truly biodegradable plastic cup. Additionally, we also emphasize the need for a common language around sustainability to facilitate and ensure that everyone involved in the supply chain is using the same metrics and definitions.

Concluding, the road to a circular economy may be complex, but as Marcel highlights, it's paved with exciting opportunities. By embracing the complementary nature of bio-based solutions and fostering collaboration through a common language of sustainability, we can build a more resilient future for generations to come.

In the latest podcast episode, we had the opportunity of interviewing Marcus and Manuel from the Minderoo Foundation.

Throughout the episode, they highlighted the significance of international collaboration in tackling global challenges like plastic pollution mentioning that while regulation is crucial, businesses must also take proactive steps towards sustainability. Additionally, another recurring topic of the conversation was the importance of transparency in addressing sustainability issues, particularly in understanding product composition and waste management.

Overall, the conversation conveyed a sense of urgency, acknowledging the severity of environmental challenges, but with a positive outlook towards the future, both Marcus and Manuel trust in the growing interest in sustainability, particularly among younger generations.  With this in mind, they leave our young audience a message: your passion and skills can make a real difference.

In our latest podcast episode, we headed towards the United Kingdom, and had a lovely chat (over tea) with Adam Herriott from WRAP, a circular economy expert, to discuss the pressing issues surrounding sustainability. Adam brought a wealth of knowledge and insights from his role at WRAP, where their main vision is to work towards a thriving world where climate change is no longer a problem.

One key theme that emerged from our conversation was the shift from a linear economy to a circular one. Adam emphasized the importance of rethinking our approach to consumption and waste management. Rather than viewing items as disposable, he advocated for a paradigm shift towards viewing consumers as custodians of resources, responsible for their lifecycle from acquisition to disposal.

Adam highlighted WRAP's integral role in driving collaboration across various sectors to achieve sustainability goals. From working with retailers to redesign packaging for recyclability to supporting local authorities in optimizing recycling collections, WRAP's multifaceted approach underscores the importance of collective action in creating systemic change.

Furthermore, Adam provided valuable insights into WRAP's diverse team and the range of expertise contributing to their initiatives. From plastics experts to water management specialists, WRAP's interdisciplinary approach underscores the holistic nature of sustainability efforts, encompassing areas such as food waste reduction, textiles, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Feel free to check out the work of WRAP at www.wrap.org.uk and feel free to contact Adam Herriot in LinkedIn.

In this week's podcast episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Victor Préaux, a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability and a project manager at Waste Free Oceans, a nonprofit organization tackling plastic pollution by cleaning up debris and transforming it into new materials. The conversation covered a range of topics, from the innovative ways they're giving plastic a second life to the importance of raising awareness.

This episode features a discussion with Verena Keller from UVEX, a company known for its consumer sports brand and B2B brand specializing in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Verena is the head of strategic sustainability development within the Department of Strategic Innovation Solutions. Her role involves supporting product teams, marketing, and sales, especially with the increasing customer interest in sustainability and circularity.

The conversation delves into Verena's unusual background in English and economics, her decade-long experience in the textile industry, and her focus on sports and outdoor brands. She emphasizes the importance of sustainability in natural materials and the complexity of transparent supply chains in textile manufacturing. Verena's entry into sustainability was gradual and unplanned, stemming from her sales and marketing roles and the desire to communicate effectively and drive change.

In our latest podcast episode, we delved into the intricate world of sustainability in the chemical value chain with no other than Dr. Christian Krüger, Head of Global Advocacy and Sustainability Chemical Recycling at BASF. And, as Christian’s position already suggests, we do not miss to speak about chemical recycling and the ominous process of mass balancing.

In the latest episode of our new series with Circularise, we had the pleasure to speak to  René Bethmann from Vaude. He shares profound insights about the material challenges and polymer innovations shaping the future of sustainable textiles. Especially interesting is the emphasized the distinction between true and visible sustainability, which highlights the role of certifications in building trust supply chains but also among brands and their customers.

This is the first episode of this series and we have had the privilege of hosting Thomas Philipon the CEO of TotalEnergies Corbion. The discussion dives deeply into the world of bio-based and biodegradable PLA-based plastics, exploring the challenges and triumphs of creating eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics. And, we cannot forget of mentioning the importance of a mug!

In this podcast episode we had the opportunity to talk with Fridolin from Holypoly, a startup focused on revolutionizing the plastic recycling industry, by ending plastic destruction and keeping them in the cycle. Holypoly works with big brand manufacturers like Bosch, Lamy, NUK and Mattel. The conversation spans various topics, from Fridolin's personal experiences and travels in East Africa that exposed him to the harsh realities of climate change and its impact on communities, to the challenges of sourcing recycled materials and competing with low-cost virgin plastics. Additionally, the company's growth and the shift from a startup to a more established enterprise are also touched upon, with Fridolin highlighting their plans for expansion, including a crowdinvesting campaign which aims to enable small investors to invest in the economic potential of the circular economy. If you want to actively support the shift together with Holypoly, then click here http://holypoly.co/rocket . Overall, the discussion provides valuable insights into the practical aspects and challenges of sustainability in the recycling industry, emphasizing transparency, resilience, and technological advancements. Holypoly's growth plans underscore the increasing relevance of sustainability in addressing global challenges like climate change and waste management. Feel free to check out the work of HolyPoly at www.holypoly.co and feel free to contact Fridolin Pflüger in LinkedIn.