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

Join us for an exclusive conversation with Jocelyn Quarrell, Co-Founder of Bold Reuse, as she unveils how her company is transforming the $200B food service industry—one reusable cup at a time. Discover how Bold Reuse pivoted from B2C to B2B, partnered with giants like Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, and Starbucks, and convinced NFL stadiums to adopt closed-loop systems that save $10,000+ annually. Learn the gritty logistics of sanitizing millions of cups, the secret to their 95% return rates, and their audacious plan to launch 30+ hubs nationwide. Whether you’re a sustainability skeptic or a circular economy devotee, this episode will change how you see waste—and the bold solutions rewriting its future.

Bold Reuse Website: https://www.boldreuse.com

Moda Center Case Study: How the Trail Blazers Eliminated 500K Single-Use Cups

Keurig Dr. Pepper Partnership: Behind the Bears Stadium Reusable Cup Initiative

Follow Bold Reuse: LinkedIn | InstagramMentioned

Organizations: Levy Restaurants | Aramark | Eco-Products

Grayson Shor, an expert in circular economy and battery sustainability walks Sabira and Garr through the importance of batteries in the green energy transition, the challenges of battery recycling, and the innovations in battery technology. Grayson shares insights on the role of policy, market trends, and the economic implications of transitioning to a circular economy. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration, transparency, and creative thinking to tackle the complexities of battery sustainability and the circular economy.

In this episode of Selling Circular, hosts Sabira Lakhani and Garr Punnett engage with Constanza Gomez, co-founder of Sortile, to discuss the pressing challenges and innovative solutions in textile recycling. They explore the complexities of the fashion supply chain, the importance of technology in identifying materials, and the impact of new regulations on the industry. Constanza shares insights from her journey in building Sortile, the significance of data in recycling, and the evolving landscape of consumer awareness and brand accountability. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration and education in driving the circular economy forward, ultimately fostering hope for a more sustainable future in textiles.

Tessa from the Chicago Tool Library shares how this grassroots organization empowers communities through tool-sharing, fosters resilience, and redefines sustainability. Learn how they’ve grown from a small space to a 7,000 sq/ft hub offering everything from camping gear to disaster-response tools, while tackling climate challenges and building connections. Discover their innovative pay-what-you-can model, DIY repair fairs, and vision for tool libraries as community resilience hubs

In this conversation, the hosts and guest John Mulrow delve into the concept of degrowth, exploring its implications for sustainability and social justice. They discuss the misconceptions surrounding degrowth, emphasizing that it is not about reducing everything or advocating for recession, but rather about intentionally downscaling the economy to achieve ecological and social justice goals.

The conversation also touches on the importance of community engagement, corporate responsibility, and the need for a shift in mindset regarding economic growth. In this conversation, John Mulrow discusses the concept of degrowth, emphasizing the need for international cooperation, alternative economic metrics, and community engagement. He highlights the importance of creating brave spaces for dialogue, acknowledging limits to growth, and the role of education in fostering a degrowth movement. The discussion also touches on the privilege associated with the degrowth conversation and the necessity of building community connections to promote sustainability.

In this episode, we discuss the intersection of commerce and sustainability, focusing on the global initiative to create an international plastics treaty. We explore the impact of plastics on society, the challenges of negotiating the treaty, and the importance of stakeholder engagement. The conversation emphasizes the need for reduction targets, the role of technology in the circular economy, and the balance between economic and environmental goals. The episode concludes with a hopeful message about the future of circular economy and the importance of inclusive conversations.

In this conversation, Aleksandra Plewa shares the inspiring journey of EcoShip, a non-profit organization focused on reusing packaging materials to support small businesses and reduce waste. The discussion covers the origins of EcoShip, its evolution from a simple idea to a structured non-profit, and the challenges faced in the recycling landscape.

Aleksandra emphasizes the importance of community engagement, collaboration with local businesses, and the need for innovative solutions to address the recycling crisis. The conversation concludes with a hopeful vision for a future where waste is minimized and sustainability is prioritized.

In this conversation, Stephanie Phillips discusses her work in the City of San Antonio's Office of Historic Preservation and its intersection with the circular economy. She explains the importance of deconstruction in preserving cultural heritage and reducing waste, and how her office engages with the community to promote these initiatives.

The conversation also covers the challenges of navigating political landscapes, the establishment of the Material Innovation Center, and the significance of education and collaboration in advancing circular economy practices. Phillips shares insights on the deconstruction ordinance in San Antonio, its impact on the community, and her vision for a future where waste is viewed as a resource.

In this conversation, Garr, Ben, and Sabira discuss the innovative work being done by Cambium in the realm of circular economy and wood supply chains.

Ben Christensen shares insights into how Cambium is addressing the massive waste problem in the wood industry by creating regenerative supply chains that utilize wasted materials. The discussion also touches on the complexities of managing a multi-faceted supply chain, the importance of customer focus, and the potential for significant impact in the wood industry through better transparency and brand value.

In this conversation, Ben Christensen discusses the innovative approaches Cambium is taking in the wood industry, focusing on just-in-time manufacturing, building trust through case studies, and scaling supply chains. He emphasizes the importance of regional markets, the future demand for wood, and the carbon benefits of using salvaged materials. The discussion also covers the challenges of navigating city approvals, the role of mass timber in urban planning, and the need for digitization in the wood buying process. Christensen expresses optimism about the circular economy and the potential for innovation in this space, while acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead.