The Circular Economy Podcast…

…interviews with inspiring people who are making the circular economy happen.

We explore how the circular economy makes a better business (and a better world): for you, your partners, and your customers.

You can find the podcast series on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn or search for “circular economy” in your favourite podcast app. For links and show notes, go to the Episode pages below.

Catherine Weetman interviews the people making the circular economy happen: rethinking how we design, make and use everything.

We talk to entrepreneurs & business owners, social enterprises, and leading thinkers.

We find out how they got involved, and invite them to share their ‘lessons learned’ and top tips for you. How are they using circular approaches to create value, increase resilience and reduce risk, to make a competitive, sustainable organisation?

Want to know more about the what the circular economy is, and how it can help your business? Listen to Episode 1, or read our article: What is the circular economy? In Episode 2, we dig into the ‘linear economy’ – what are the risks and global mega-trends driving the need to rethink how we design, make and use everything? What does this mean for your business?

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Tweet us @Rethink_Global – we’d love to hear what you think of the show.

And of course it would be great if you could leave us a 5* review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts!

Episode 13 Beth Massa – ARK Reusables

Catherine Weetman 20th October 2019 business models Circular economy food Packaging plastic recovery flows reuse

In Episode 13 we talk to Beth Massa, founder of Ozarka. Beth and her husband Michael have created a collection of food-to-go containers, called ARK Reusables, so people can replace single-use plastics with reusable, returnable containers.

Episode 12 – David Bassetti of 3D Seed

Catherine Weetman 17th October 2019 3Dprinting Circular economy Packaging plastic recycling

David Bassetti is co-founder of 3D Seed. When David moved to Spain around 10 years ago, he noticed how much plastic was being wasted, and was frustrated that it became litter, instead of being recycled into new materials. David developed a simple way of grinding up plastic to recycle it into a feedstock for 3D Printing. 3D Seed sets up…

Episode 11 – Izzie Eriksen of ApparelXchange

Catherine Weetman 22nd September 2019 Circular economy Fashion & textiles reuse services social value

ApparelXchange is a Scottish social enterprise aiming to make it easy to reuse school uniforms, instead of wasting them. ApparelXchange works with schools across Glasgow (age groups 7-18) to gather uniforms, and process them so they can be reused. There is an online shop, a store in Glasgow plus pop-up shops in schools. We discuss how to make reuse and…

Episode 10 – Highlights from Series 1

Catherine Weetman 8th September 2019 asset management Circular economy design recycling social value strategy

Episode 10 is our first circular economy highlights compilation! Perfect listening to spark your ideas for building a better business in 2020. This would be a GREAT episode to share with someone new to the podcast, or new to the circular economy.

Episode 9 Lucy Antal – transforming our food systems

Catherine Weetman 25th August 2019 Circular economy food reuse social value

We explore the food circular economy, with Lucy Antal of food campaigning charity Feedback Global. Lucy explains Feedback’s aim to regenerate nature by transforming our food system. Feedback promotes a circular economy approach to food surplus – using it to feed people, animals and the soil. We talk about farm gate waste, overproduction and ‘gleaning’, supermarket labelling and Feedback’s work…

Episode 8 Elaine Kerr – industrial symbiosis

Catherine Weetman 11th August 2019 Circular economy industrial symbiosis plastics resource efficiency social value startups

Elaine Kerr, Deputy Director of International Synergies Northern Ireland talks about industrial symbiosis and how it ‘oils the wheels’ of the circular economy. Elaine explains what industrial symbiosis is, and how International Synergies provides research and facilitation for ‘resource matching’, helping organisations of all types and sizes. We discuss the multiple benefits of industrial symbiosis: reducing waste and pollution (and…

Episode 7 Katie Whalen – fun and games with the circular economy

Catherine Weetman 28th July 2019 business models Circular economy product design risks

Katie Whalen of In the Loop AB has developed two circular economy games, including the well-known In the Loop game for schools and businesses and the new Risk and Race circular business model game. Katie is currently researching business aspects of the circular economy at Lund University. We talk about how to engage people to help them understand the benefits…

Episode 6 Adam Fairweather – reimagine waste

Catherine Weetman 14th July 2019 Circular economy Permaculture product design recycling social value

Adam Fairweather and his partner Rosalie McMillan run Smile Plastics, a circular economy business that reimagines local waste streams to make beautiful materials for the built environment. We talk about Adam’s approach to design, and his ethos that ‘material language’ can communicate messages to people through design, creating socially, emotionally and industrially durable products. We explore some of the wide…

Episode 5 Katie Beverley – Ecodesign

Catherine Weetman 30th June 2019 Circular economy policy product design remanufacturing strategy sustainability

Ecodesign expert Katie Beverley describes herself as a ‘critical friend’ of the circular economy. We dig into Ecodesign principles to find out more, and explore how Ecodesign could add value to circular solutions. Katie explains the benefits of user-centred and systems-thinking approaches. We discuss the business ‘ecosystem’, remanufacturing and the circular economy’s potential for local job creation and social benefits,…

Podcast music

Thanks to Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow, otherwise known as the brilliant, inventive and generous folk duo, O’Hooley & Tidow, for allowing me to use the instrumentals from the live version of Summat’s Brewin’ as music for the podcast. You can find the whole track (inspired by the Copper Family song “Oh Good Ale”) on their album, also called Summat’s Brewin’. You can follow them on Twitter too.