All Blog Posts
Circular Economy 101: A Modern Sustainability Guide
Couldn't make our latest virtual event? Don't worry! Catch-up on all the action from our 'Tech For Good Talks: Circular Economy' webinar here..
3 min read
Event
Time for another roundup of our latest ‘Tech For Good Talks webinar! The topic we covered this month was all things Circular Economy, and while we couldn’t possibly pick a favourite, this one is a subject near and dear to our heart. Not only is this our third webinar dedicated to it, but we have some heritage building tech for good in the Circular Economy space (more on that later.
Just in case you weren’t sure exactly what a circular economy model is, we’ll break it down for ya!
A circular economy is part of the solution to breaking the mould of our current linear system where products are just made, used and binned off. In a circular economy, products, services and systems are designed to maximise their value and minimise waste. It’s an all-encompassing approach to life and business, where everything has value and nothing is wasted. Simply put, it can be explained as ‘make, use, remake’ as opposed to the current system that is wreaking havoc on our environment.
Good thing technology is up to the task for helping do just that!
Our experience with the circular economy
At 3 Sided Cube, we believe that tech can be used to streamline this process and provide transparency to users. With limitless possibilities, tech has the potential to overhaul our understanding of supply chains, production and product circularity. We have loved partnering on the projects below because it’s nothing but a great thing that there is more tech out there enabling a closed loop!
Polytag
We partnered with PolyTag to put power into the hands of consumers by transforming the recycling process. PolyTag integrate unique PAC codes (Product Assigned Code) into over 120 different plastic packaging and products, at the point of their production, that allows them to track this plastic from the manufacturer to the consumer to the recycling plant.
Eumelia
300 million cardboard boxes are used to deliver food & beverage items every year in the UK. Of these, 80% are recycled however 95% are completely reusable. Closing the loop is one step better than recycling. Therefore Eumelia approached us looking for a solution that helps reduce waste in the sector and create this circular economy between suppliers and their consumers.
Our Wonderful Hosts
Our hosts…
Puff Story – Co Founder, USA – 3 Sided Cube
Heather Clancy – Editorial Director – GreenBiz
The Sustainability Experts
We wanted to ensure that we represented people across a wide range of knowledge. Pulling together an amazing panel of sustainability experts gave us the opportunity to discuss and learn how the future of the circular economy will be shaped and what we can all do to limit waste and embrace reusability.
Our expert panel includes…
- Christine Yeager – Director of Sustainability – Coca-Cola
- Hemant Chaudhary – Founder – CEAA
- Katelyn Thacker – Chief of Staff –Banqu
Brendan Edgerton – Head of Sustainability – Designit
Some of the discussion points brought to the panel were:
- Favourite example of a piece of tech enabling a full circle or semicircle and why?
- What ‘proud learnings/failures’ have you experienced, witnessed or learnt from trying to implement a tech solution to help enable a part of the circular economy?
- What advice would you give to anyone trying to implement a tech solution?
- What does the future look like for a circular economy?
Don’t worry if you missed it, catch-up here!
Tech alone is not the solution, but it is the tool to change!
And that concludes another ‘Tech for Good Talk’! We love having these conversations and engaging with businesses, charities and individuals to help change the world. We truly believe that tech is limitless in it’s potential to impact the global challenges we face. If you have any suggestions or want to get involved in a future talk, give us a holla!
If you missed us live, you can catch up on the whole conversation above and be sure to sign-up for our next live event, tickets are free and available online!
Published on July 4, 2022, last updated on March 15, 2023
