In this episode, Garr Punnett and Sabira Lakhani engage with Lia Kiam from Visia to discuss the innovative approaches using AI for the circular economy, particularly in recycling. They explore the challenges faced by recycling operators, including safety concerns related to hazardous materials like lithium-ion batteries, and the role of technology in enhancing operational efficiency. The conversation delves into the complexities of the recycling industry, including pricing strategies, generational shifts in business practices, and the importance of data transparency. Lia shares insights on the future of the circular economy and the need for collaboration among stakeholders to drive meaningful change.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setup

04:07 The Importance of Safety in Recycling

06:50 Understanding the Circular Economy

09:53 Vizia's Innovative Solutions

12:49 Pricing Strategies and Market Dynamics

15:52 Transitioning from Finance to Recycling

18:52 Current Trends and Challenges in Recycling

22:16 Market Variability and Geopolitical Impacts

23:02 The Importance of Battery Recycling

25:14 Technological Limitations in Material Detection

26:38 AI and Automation in Recycling

28:11 Generational Shifts in Recycling Technology Adoption

31:02 Interoperability in Recycling Facilities

32:59 Feedback Loops in the Recycling Supply Chain

35:35 The Need for Data in the Circular Economy

39:05 Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities

42:29 Hope for the Future of the Circular Economy

45:45 Selling Circular Open (Presentation) (1).mp4

In this episode of Selling Circular, Sabira Lakhani and Garr Punnett engage in a deep conversation with Wilma Rodrigues, a pioneer in India's waste management sector. They discuss the evolution of Saahas Zero Waste, the challenges of decentralized waste management, and the importance of regulatory frameworks. Wilma shares insights on the innovative approaches to textile waste management and the future of circular economy practices in India. The conversation emphasizes the need for sustainable business models, the significance of living wages, and the role of civil society in shaping effective waste management policies.

The conversation reflects on the recent Circularity conference, discussing the evolution of the event, the importance of community and networking, and the challenges of communication in sustainability. Key themes include the grouping of events under Trellis Impact, the significance of serendipitous connections, and insights from notable speakers. The discussion also touches on the discomfort companies feel in sharing their strategies publicly, highlighting the need for transparency in corporate sustainability efforts. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the dynamics of conferences focused on circularity, the challenges of sharing insights in public forums, and the impact of economic uncertainty on sustainability efforts. They explore the importance of feedback and iterative improvements in event planning, as well as the preparation required for future events. The conversation concludes with reflections on the value of collaboration and community engagement in driving change.

In this conversation, Garr Punnett and Peter discuss Peter's career journey from finance to the circular economy, highlighting his experiences at REI and Trove. They explore the challenges and opportunities in building sustainable business models, the importance of circularity in retail, and the innovative technologies being developed at Tersys to support these efforts. In this conversation, Peter discusses the unique positioning of his company in the B2B landscape, emphasizing their role as a solution provider for premium brands. He elaborates on the importance of balancing brand recognition with behind-the-scenes service, the competitive investment landscape, and the shift from venture capital to sustainable growth models. The discussion also touches on the future of the circular economy and the hope for a more sustainable industry.

In this conversation, Nic Esposito, co-founder of Unless Kids, discusses the innovative approach to transforming children's toy consumption through a circular economy model. The discussion covers the journey of Unless Kids, the importance of customer discovery, funding strategies, and the challenges of logistics in a sustainable business. Nic emphasizes the need for affordability and accessibility in circular solutions, as well as the role of technology in supporting operational efficiency. The conversation concludes with Nic's hopes for the future of circularity and the growth of Unless Kids.

Garr Punnett and Sabira Lakhani engage with Shannon Goodman, co-founder of the Lifecycle Building Center, to discuss the critical role of nonprofits in the circular economy, particularly in material reuse. They explore the challenges and opportunities within the reuse industry, emphasizing the importance of community building, collaboration, and workforce development. The conversation highlights the need for courage in initiating reuse initiatives and the progress made in the industry over the years. They also touch on the economic and social benefits of reuse, the political landscape surrounding sustainability, and the future of circular economy practices.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Andrew from Doors Unhinged as we explore the fascinating intersection of sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship in commercial construction. Discover how one company is challenging industry norms, reducing waste, and paving the way for a greener future—all while navigating the complexities of procurement, risk, and scalability. This episode is packed with insights that will leave you rethinking what’s possible in the world of building materials!

In this episode, Sabira & Garr discuss the upcoming Circularity 2025 event and engage in a deep conversation with Teresa Giovannoli, founder of Little Squiggle, about her journey in creating a circular toy company.

They explore the challenges of communicating circularity, the importance of design in sustainability, financial projections for circular products, and the need for consumer engagement. Teresa shares her vision for the future of circular toys and the significance of building a strong team culture to support her mission.

Join Garr Punnett, Sabira Lakhani, and Joseph Klatt in this insightful episode exploring the intersection of sustainability, design, and entrepreneurship.

Joseph Klatt, founder of Marble Plastics, shares his journey from leading global initiatives with Precious Plastic to creating innovative recycled plastic materials for furniture and building applications.

Discover how Marble Plastics transforms polystyrene waste into functional and aesthetically striking products, such as countertops and custom furniture, while tackling the challenges of recycling infrastructure and market education.The conversation delves into the creative process behind Marble Plastics' signature designs, like the playful "Gelato" pattern made from recycled bread tags, and collaborations with KidSuper and PACT Collective. Joseph also discusses the decentralized manufacturing model inspired by his international experience, emphasizing hyper-local solutions to address plastic waste.

Whether you're an architect, designer, or sustainability enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into how recycled materials can reshape industries and consumer perspectives.

In this podcast episode, hosts Sabira Lakhani and Garr Punnett speak with Avi, editor-in-chief of Metropolis Magazine, about circular economy principles in architecture and design. Avi discusses Metropolis's longstanding commitment to sustainability, dating back to the 1980s, and highlights their recent initiative, "Seven Proposals for a Circular Built Environment." He emphasizes that circular economy isn't a new concept but a modern framing of long-standing environmental ideas.

The discussion covers several key points:

• Metropolis's History with Sustainability: Avi explains how Metropolis has been covering environmental issues since the early 90s, including pioneering research on carbon emissions in architecture and interior design.

• Seven Proposals for a Circular Built Environment: Avi details how Metropolis gathered over 60 industry experts to collaboratively develop proposals addressing circularity at multiple scales—from questioning ownership models to challenging the culture of newness.

• Adaptive vs. Adaptable Reuse: Avi emphasizes the importance of moving beyond adaptive reuse (simply preserving buildings) toward adaptable reuse, meaning designing structures that are inherently flexible and able to transform over time.

• Recycling vs. Reuse: The conversation highlights that reusing structural steel significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to recycling—even when recycling uses renewable energy.

• Changing Mindsets: Avi stresses the need for designers and architects to shift from viewing sustainability as a problem-solving exercise toward embracing it as a creative opportunity informed by intuition and cultural sensitivity.

The conversation concludes with Avi emphasizing that true circularity requires creative intuition rather than solely technical solutions, urging industry professionals to think long-term about sustainability.

• Metropolis Magazine: Digital publication focused on architecture and interior design.

• Seven Proposals for a Circular Built Environment: Recent initiative by Metropolis exploring circular economy principles.

• Climate Toolkit for Interior Design (2021): Resource created by Metropolis to help interior designers understand carbon emissions related to their work.

• Ellen MacArthur Foundation & Arup's Circular Buildings Toolkit: Comprehensive resource informing Metropolis's proposals.

• Victor Papanek's concept of Kleenex Culture: Critique of consumerist culture discussed by Avi.

• Steelcase & HumanScale Pilot Programs: Initiatives exploring furniture refurbishment and reuse within circular economy frameworks.

• Metropolis Magazine

• Seven Proposals for a Circular Built Environment (Metropolis)

• Climate Toolkit for Interior Design (Metropolis, 2021)

• Ellen MacArthur Foundation & Arup's Circular Buildings Toolkit

• Victor Papanek's critique of consumerist culture ("Kleenex culture")

• AquaFill's chemical recycling of nylon carpets

• 3Form's surfaces using non-mechanical recycling

• Steelcase pilot program on furniture refurbishment

• HumanScale's furniture refurbishment and resale pilot program

References Discussed in the EpisodeReferences Discussed in the Episode