Getting In the Loop: Circular Economy | Sustainability | Closing the Loop

Transparency and Technology in Circular Supply Chains with Mesbah Sabur

Get ready to learn all about how digitalization and technology can help enable a more circular economy by creating transparent supply chains. Mesbah Sabur joins us to share how his company Circularise is using blockchain to create an open-source platform for sharing data across supply chains. Circularise’s ambition is to improve transparency so that companies can move towards more circular production processes, starting with the plastics sector. In this episode, you’ll hear about Circularise and the common misunderstandings that people make about tech and circular economy. Mesbah sets the record straight and explains the 3 main types of approaches to supply chain transparency. Resources and links discussed in this episode are available at gettinginthelooppodcast.com.About Today’s GuestMesbah Sabur learned the value of hard work as an Afghan refugee, whose family sought asylum in his adopted homeland of the Netherlands when he was just 7. He recalls the frequent advice offered by his father during the five years they lived in refugee camps before achieving resident status: "Remember that you need to earn everything you are doing." That can-do philosophy — and his belief that it’s tough to solve big problems from inside big companies — inspired the creation four years ago of Circularise. 

#61: Four Steps to Taking Circular Action and This Circular Economy Podcast Turns Two!

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the Getting in the Loop podcast! To celebrate, I’m answering your most frequently asked questions: “How can I get started implementing a circular economy?” “What can I do?” In this episode, I share four steps to action-oriented circular economy. I’ve developed them based on what I’ve learned from our podcast guests and my own PhD research since launching the world’s first circular economy podcast two years ago. I’ve dubbed it ACT C(ircular) to help you remember:A: Acknowledge what you already know. What skills and expertise do you have? How could you draw on them?C: Commit to a small scope. Think small.T: Try out different CE strategies. Trial and error.C(ircular): Check the outcomes. What are the benefits? LINKSCircular Sectors Navigator E-BookLinkedin Group: Getting in the Loop PodcastLeave Katie a voice message here- and maybe YOU will appear on the next episode. Episode on circular entrepreneurs ReSOLVE framework.

#60: How to Communicate Effectively about Circular Economy with Virginia Cinquemani

In this episode, Virginia Cinquemani shares the mistakes us circular economy professionals often make when we talk about circular economy. Are you making any of them? Get ready to find out! Through her company Green Gorilla, Virginia coaches sustainability professionals on how to make an impact and find the right way to communicate sustainability to their stakeholders. Virginia has a deep passion for sustainability and she is an advocate of bridging the soft skill gap in technical fields for effective and lasting change. She is also the author of SustainABLE: How to Find Success as a Sustainability Professional in a Rapidly Changing World. Resources and links discussed in this episode are available at gettinginthelooppodcast.com.About Today’s GuestVirginia Cinquemani is the director and founder of Green Gorilla Consultants Ltd, a training and coaching company focused on empowering sustainability professionals to make an impact. She is the author of SustainABLE: How to Find Success as a Sustainability Professional in a Rapidly Changing World, and the Hub Lead for Women in Sustainability Hertfordshire. 

#59: Circular Economy in Sweden and the Nordic Circular Hotspot with Elin Bergman

I’m thrilled to welcome Elin Bergman to the podcast. Elin has been called the “Circular economy queen of Sweden.’’ In this episode, you will hear how Elin stumbled upon the circular economy and how ever since she has been working to implement the transition to a more circular economy. You’ll find out about how Sweden is moving towards a circular economy and what Elin thinks needs to happen in order to make the transition. You’ll learn about Elin’s most recent initiative, a new international network called ‘The Baltic Stewardship Initiative’ which aims to enable recirculation of nutrients in the region from the agri-food sector.Elin works as the circular economy expert at WWF Sweden, is one of the initiators of the Nordic Circular Hotspot and is the Vice President and spokesperson of the Swedish circular economy network Cradlenet.  Resources and links discussed in this episode are available at gettinginthelooppodcast.com.Katie’s note: Since this episode was recorded, I have left my role as a Managing Partner of the Nordic Circular Hotspot.About Today’s GuestElin Bergman has been called the “Circular economy queen of Sweden.’’ She works as the circular economy expert at WWF Sweden, is one of the initiators of the Nordic Circular Hotspot and is the Vice President and spokesperson of the Swedish circular economy network Cradlenet. Cradlenet is one of the oldest circular economy networks in the world, celebrating their 10-year anniversary in 2019 with working to accelerate the transition of circular economy in Sweden and the world. At WWF, Elin has developed a new international network, The Baltic Stewardship Initiative, to enable recirculation of nutrients in the region from the agri-food sector.

#58: Moving to Reusable Packaging and Circular Economy Systems with Jennifer von der Heydt

Jennifer von der Heydt of Loop-it joins me on the podcast today! Jennifer is CEO and Co-Founder of Loop-It, which is an easy, convenient and affordable reuse system for products. Their reusable coffee cups can already be found in cafes throughout Sweden.Jenn founded loop-it in 2019 after her Erasmus at Linköping University in Sweden where loop-it began as an idea at an innovation bootcamp. Jennifer and the other co-founders won second place and kept going with their idea. In September 2020, she moved to Stockholm to work on loop-it full time. Loop-it was most recently part of the +impact accelerator from Danske Bank, RISE, WeWork Labs and Ignite Sweden.In this episode, Jennifer tells us about Loop-it and shares her experience as a circular entrepreneur. You’ll hear about what she’s learned setting up loop-it and the one question she always gets asked -- and is ready to answer for the last time on the podcast! Resources and links discussed in this episode are available at gettinginthelooppodcast.com.About Today’s GuestJennifer von der Heydt has a background in Consumer Psychology and Circular Economy / Systems Design. She founded loop-it in 2019 after her Erasmus at Linköping University in Sweden where loop-it began as an idea at an innovation bootcamp. Jennifer and the other co-founders won second place and kept going with their idea. In September 2020, she moved to Stockholm to work on loop-it full time. Loop-it was most recently part of the +impact accelerator from Danske Bank, RISE, WeWork Labs and Ignite Sweden.