Season 2, Episode 1 - Finding new value from our waste streams

To begin Season 2, I speak with Sara Smeath, co-founder of CiRCLR. CiRCLR is out to promote a circular economy, by helping businesses understand the value of their waste streams. Billing themselves as the “Tinder for Trash”, CiRCLR aims to match these waste streams to businesses looking for those exact inputs.

In a wide-ranging conversation, Sara and I speak about her operational expertise in the fashion industry, why a circular economy should be more valuable for businesses, the two-faces of greenwashing, the data problem behind it all, the changing winds of regulation, rubbing shoulders with famous people, and doing this all for the kids.

CiRCLR is just about to start fundraising and launch their product on the app store, and are currently part of the Orion Energy Accelerator.

If you are interested in getting in touch with Sara, you can find send an email to sara[@]circlr.nz.

For more on products using waste streams as an input, check out my episode with Dr Shafali Gupta and Andy Epifani, the co-founders of Uuvipak.

Please enjoy my discussion with Sara Smeath.

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Links

• Circular Economy basics from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (Video | 10 mins)

• “Fashion Graveyards” in Chile and Ghana (both videos | both 3 mins)

• H&M’s attempts to be more sustainable, in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (Page | 4 mins)

• The NZ government’s initiatives in this space (Page | 3 mins)

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Show notes

• [00:02:19] - [First question] – Sara’s background

• [00:03:39] - Working in fashion innovation in China

• [00:05:07] - What is a “Circular Economy”?

• [00:05:44] - Shifting responsibilities to businesses

• [00:07:04] - Sara’s experience with implementing circular practices in China

• [00:09:29] - How businesses can re-think their waste

• [00:10:39] - Measuring the value of waste and leveraging it

• [00:11:54] - Enabling companies to take genuine action rather than just carbon offsetting

• [00:13:44] - How waste is really a data problem at heart

• [00:15:29] - Making use of waste/input materials with limited shelf life

• [00:16:49] - The behavior change required for businesses

• [00:17:14] - How the fashion industry saw value in becoming more circular

• [00:18:55] - CiRCLR’s method for traceability of goods

• [00:19:39] - Rewarding everyone down the supply chain

• [00:21:08] - Getting invited to COP27 after less than 1 year since founding

• [00:23:17] - Conflicting feelings about attending COP27

• [00:24:35] - Getting to have lunch with Prime Ministers

• [00:26:33] - Gearing up for product launch and fundraising

• [00:29:33] - Hopes and dreams for a circular future

• [00:31:19] - Who and what all this effort is for

• [00:32:03] - Socials and contact info