The Circular Economy
About 55% of our global emissions come from the ways we use electricity, get around, and heat or cool buildings. The other 45% comes from the way we make and produce products and food. We create 7 to 10 billion tonnes of waste each year and almost all of that energy and product winds up wasted. In order to close the gap on our emissions, we must close the loop and create a circular economy where goods are made to last, designed to be repaired, and optimized for recycling.
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Experts in this Episode
Craig Cookson
Craig Cookson is the Senior Director, Plastics Sustainability for the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council, a trade association representing the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry.
Bridget Croke
Bridget leads external affairs including investor partnerships, industry partnerships, communications and special projects at Closed Loop Partners.
Manuel Maqueda
Manuel Maqueda is an international teacher, speaker, and innovator committed to restoring the balance of living systems.
Rachel A. Meidl
Rachel A. Meidl, LP.D., CHMM, is the fellow in energy and environment at Rice University’s Baker Institute. She was previously appointed deputy associate administrator for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, an agency of the U.S. Dept. of Transportation.
Lauren Phipps
Lauren Phipps is the Vice President and Senior Analyst on the circular economy at GreenBiz Group, where she leads the company’s circularity strategy, programs, and partnerships.
Dr. Jon Smieja
Jon is vice president and senior analyst on the circular economy at GreenBiz Group, where he leads the company’s circularity strategy, programs and partnerships.
Ashima Sukhdev
Ashima is the Climate Mitigation and Circular Economy Policy Advisor at Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) for the City of Seattle, driving the development of a strategy for advancing circular economy in the Seattle/King County region.
Emily Tipaldo
With more than a decade of experience with plastics, recycling, and materials management, Emily brings her skills of stakeholder engagement, industry expertise, and passion for reducing climate change to the U.S. Plastics Pact