In this episode of Selling Circular, Garr Punnett and Sabira Lakhani discuss the innovative world of reusable cups with Brittany Gamez, COO of Muuse. The conversation explores the challenges and successes of implementing reusable packaging systems, the technology behind Muuse's platform, and the importance of consumer behavior and trust in driving sustainability. Brittany shares insights from the Petaluma project, where reuse is the default option, and discusses the future of interoperability in the reuse economy. The episode highlights the potential for significant impact through collaboration and community engagement in the circular economy.

In this episode of Selling Circular, Garr Punnett and Sabira Lakhani engage with Amanda Lee Smith, founder of Monday Creative, to explore the intersection of marketing and the circular economy, particularly in the fashion and apparel industry. They discuss the role of agencies in circular marketing, the importance of consumer education, and the challenges of changing perceptions around pre-owned products. The conversation delves into branding strategies for resale initiatives, the balance between marketing and environmentalism, and the future of circular marketing as brands adapt to consumer demands and sustainability goals.

In this episode of Selling Circular, Garr and Sabira interview Mike Newman, CEO of Returnity, discussing the challenges and opportunities in the reusable packaging industry. They explore the importance of understanding consumer behavior, the role of B2B solutions, and the impact of regulations on sustainability efforts. Mike shares insights from his journey in the industry, emphasizing the need for realistic expectations and the importance of building a foundation for progress in sustainability.

The conversation revolves around the experience of attending the Circularity 24 conference. We all discuss the importance of energetic presentations and engaging the audience. Circularity 24 was not our first rodeo! We all discuss the evolution topics, the inclusion of different industries, and the importance of community input. We all also suffered from conference FOMO and the challenge of choosing between multiple sessions and the frustration of missing out on valuable information. We shared thoughts on the importance of conferences to connect with other passionate professionals, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, sharing knowledge, and working TOGETHER towards a more sustainable future.

Sabira and Garr explore the concept of the right to repair, the decline of repair shops and the impact of capitalism on repairability. The conversation also touches on the origins of the right to repair movement and the surprising role of IBM in shaping repair practices. Our conversation concludes with a discussion on the repair manifesto and the community of repair advocates that leads right into our guest Liz Chamberlain.

Sabira Lakhani and Garr Punnett start out the podcast with the existential nature of founding not just a solution based company but also a circular company with the challenges and opportunities it presents.

In the NERD OUT section of the podcast, Sabira and Garr discuss the concept of industrial ecology and its connection to the circular economy. They explore the principles of industrial ecology and industrial symbiosis, which involve bridging biology with industry. They also highlight the importance of systems thinking and visualizing the interconnectedness of different industries and their impact on the circular economy. The conversation touches on the need for modeling and visually illustrating these concepts to make them more tangible. While countries like Italy, Sweden, Australia, and the Netherlands have seen success, the USA has struggled due to lack of trust between corporations and limited governmental support. The conversation also touched on the importance of non-profit and government-run programs.

In the discussion with Amanda Jordan, the group discusses the city's progress in implementing circular economy initiatives. Amanda highlights the unique factors that contribute to Phoenix's success, such as the city's ownership of waste facilities and the collaboration between different departments. Amanda also shares exciting projects, including the circular plastics micro factory and the Resource Innovation Campus. She emphasizes the importance of constituent support and education in driving circular economy solutions. Amanda envisions Phoenix becoming the most sustainable desert city and a leader in circular economy practices.

This week we explore the process of selling circular solutions and the challenges faced in the industry. We discuss in the frame of Canoa's platform and applications, which provide a resource for the architectural, engineering, and construction community to find sustainable products and secondhand furnishings. The discussion highlights the importance of meeting users where they're at and making the shopping and design experience familiar and easy to use. Trust is established through clear terms and policies for sellers and buyers of used and refurbished products. The conversation also touches on the collaboration and exchange that occurs within the circular economy.

Garr & Sabira continue to introduce new topics to one another, delving into the topic of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and its importance in setting global standards. They explain the history and purpose of ISO, including its role in defining measurements and discuss the ongoing voting process for defining circular economy standards within the ISO.

As a part of the interview segment, Garr and Sabira are joined by Joanne Rodriguez, Founder & CEO of Mycocycle. The three discuss the use of mushrooms and mycelium to decarbonize industrial waste streams and create renewable bio-based materials. Joanne continues to explain the process of training mushrooms and mycelium to consume waste materials and develop new materials. Joanne shares the challenges and opportunities in the circular economy, including market development and investment.

In this conversation, Garr and Sabira discuss the concept of systems thinking and its application in the context of the built environment industry. They explore the various stakeholders involved in the industry and the potential for individual influence and collective action. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of systems and the need for collaboration to drive positive change.In the interview with Stacy Savage, she shares her journey of starting a zero waste business and the importance of focusing on waste as a sustainability issue. Stacy emphasizes the need for education and answering questions to break down barriers and engage employees. The group also discusses the value of waste audits and transparency in waste management. She addresses the cost barriers of implementing zero waste programs and highlights the economic benefits and recruitment advantages. Finally, Stacy talks about the challenges of waste management in Texas and the importance of recycling.