The Circular Economy Show Podcast

Waste and pollution aren’t accidents—they’re the result of design. Which means we can design them out.Design is where it all begins – and where real change can happen. In this episode, host Pippa sits down with Joe Iles, Head of Design Activation at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, to discuss what circular design really means. In this episode hear about: How it differs from the traditional approachWhere the creative crossovers areWhy designers hold the power to shape a better systemFind out more about circular designThis conversation originally featured in episode 172: Circular design essentials: What every designer needs to know, published in February 2025.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

Amid rising emissions, rising temperatures, and the rapid rollout of material-intensive renewable energy systems that promise to curb them both, climate mitigation and adaptation are a central priority for China’s government. In this episode, host Seb talks to Lei Chen from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s China team. They go behind the headlines to look at:The role China could play in accelerating global circular transitionsWhy the circular economy could offer China a ‘triple win’ in achieving its climate ambitions. China probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of a circular economy. But maybe it should be. Read more in ‘The circular economy: a ‘triple play’ solution for achieving China’s climate objectives’This conversation originally featured in episode 166: China, climate, and the circular economy, published in November 2024.We hope you enjoyed the fourth of our five-part Circling Back series. If so, please leave us a review or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

Could rethinking our cities through a circular lens be the key to future-proofing Europe whilst offering exciting investment opportunities?Join us in the third of our five-part Circling Back series of the Circular Economy Show, to hear host Lou Waldegrave speak with Julia Okatz from Systemiq and Joss Bleriot, Executive Lead for Policy and Institutions at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.They discuss how circular economy strategies can, by bringing nature back into our built environments, help us adapt to extreme weather—cooling down cities, restoring green space, and building resilience into every street—while generating substantial economic, environmental, and social benefits.From Paris to Berlin, and cities across the continent, Europe’s urban centres are feeling the effects of heat domes and climate stress. But, the circular economy offers a powerful, nature-positive way forward.Find out more about circular cities.This conversation originally featured in episode 159: How to build a nature-positive circular economy for Europe, published in September 2024.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

The circular economy can no longer be sidelined as a ‘nice to have’. Not only can it future-proof individual business operations, it can also help entire industries stay competitive and resilient in a fast-changing world.  In this episode we’re going back to the beginning of the year, when Seb caught up with Lindsay Hooper, CEO for the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and Joe Murphy, Executive Lead of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s business network. Together, they discuss why the end of the ESG hype bubble, far from being the end of business-led action, could mark a real shift in corporate circular economy approaches. Join us to hear about: How the commercial and competitive case for the circular economy is becoming more compelling by the minute And, at the same time, what still needs to happen to shift market-level dynamics at scaleLearn more about CISL.This conversation originally featured in episode 170: ‘What should businesses do to scale a circular economy?’ published in January 2025.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

In this episode we’re bringing together two top-of-mind topics: the scramble for critical minerals, and how circular economy strategies can help us secure and stabilise their supply. Humans have been mining metals and minerals for thousands of years. Today, critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements are essential for not only renewable energy products like wind turbines and EV batteries but the infrastructure and systems needed to power them. As part of our Circling Back series, over the next five weeks, we’re revisiting some key conversations from our archive that feel especially relevant right now. Join us in Episode 189 to hear:From Ke Wang at the World Resources Institute about why the circular economy is central in the energy transitionHow economics and competitiveness are driving that transition, and examples of where that is already happening in practiceAs the rollout of renewable energy scales at pace, e-waste continues to increase, and the first generation of EV batteries and wind turbines start to reach the end of their lives, we have a window of opportunity to build a better system, based on the principles of a circular economy.Find out more about the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's work on Critical MineralsThis conversation originally featured in episode 174: Material security in a circular economy, published in April 2025.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

Building circular business models - where products are rented, repaired, resold and remade - is key to transforming our economy from a take, make, waste linear system, to a circular one. In this episode of the Circular Economy Show, we’re seeing what this looks like in practice with Canadian outdoor clothing and equipment company Arc’teryx.Pippa heads to Arc’teryx’s flagship store in London to learn how the business is bringing repair in-store. Seb speaks to Katie Wilson, the company’s Director of Social and Environmental Sustainability, to hear about the strategic decisions behind this pivot.In this episode hear about:How Arc’teryx’s in-store ReBIRD service centres work for the business and customersHow ReBIRD is fostering deeper customer loyalty and making products accessible to new customer basesThe strategic decisions behind Arc’teryx’s shift to circular business modelsThe operational hurdles of implementing circular business models at scaleArc’teryx is a participant in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Fashion ReModel. Listen to episode 187 to find out more about the demonstration project, or visit the website.Explore the guide to scaling circular business models for fashion leadersLearn more about ReBIRDThe Circular Economy Show will be back in a few weeks. Let us know what you’d like to hear more about in future episodes by leaving us a review, or emailing podcast@emf.org.

How do we keep clothes in use at their highest value and make money without having to make new clothes? In this episode of The Circular Economy Show, we explore the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s demonstration project, the Fashion ReModel, and hear from one of its participants: H&M Group.Pippa is joined by Chloe Holland from the Foundation’s fashion team to discuss how The Fashion ReModel participants are working to scale circular business models like resale, rental, repair, and remaking. We also hear from Sara Eriksson, Business expert, Circular business models at the H&M Group, a participant of The Fashion ReModel.Listen to this episode to hear about: The ambitions of The Fashion Remodel, including how its participants are embracing the long-term strategic advantages of circular business modelsSellpy, the H&M Group resale platformSome of the challenges of applying circular economy principles to fashion in a linear economy The role of policy and finance in making circular business models commercially viable at scaleFind out more about the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s The Fashion ReModel.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

In this episode of the Circular Economy Show, our guests Georgie Rose from Selfridges and Simon Davies from VISA tell us how they have been working together to find out.Collaborating with Mindworks Marketing to optimise messaging and branding for promoting circular shopping behaviours, Georgie and Simon discuss how their behavioural lab has been bridging the gap between customer intent and action.Listen to this episode to hear:How the behavioural lab initiative focuses on subtle language variations to influence customer behavior towards circularity How current efforts are focusing on beauty products to make refills as appealing as buying new ones How the initiative is working to embed circular shopping as a norm and make it more intuitive and excitingLearn more:Read ‘The marketing playbook for a circular economy’Don’t miss last week’s episode, Ep 185: How can marketers turn ideas into impactful action?Check out episode 176:  Driving demand for circular economy: What marketers need to knowMake sure you’re subscribed to the Circular Economy Show to find out about our future episodes on the marketing playbookIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

For years, marketers have been helping to shape how consumers think and feel about products that are driving the linear economy. However in this episode of the Circular Economy Show, we explore how they can harness their skills to unlock the opportunities that the circular economy provides. We’re joined by experts Deb Caldow, Global Marketing Director at Diageo, and Rachel O’Reilly, Global Research Lead at Accenture Song. Their experiences provide an insight into how we can turn ideas into impactful actions that deliver both economic growth and environmental benefits.Join us to find out:How marketers are leveraging storytelling to inspire interest in circular productsWhy they should engage closely supply teams to ensure innovations align with market demandThe importance of internal buy-in and a willingness to experiment when scaling circular solutionsLearn more:Read the ‘The marketing playbook for a circular economy’.Check out episode 176,’ Driving demand for circular economy: What marketers need to know’ to hear more about the playbook with Kantar and Swapfiets.Make sure you’re subscribed to the Circular Economy Show to find out about our future episodes on the playbook.

In this episode of the Circular Economy Show, we explore the intersection between fashion, business, and technology - revealing why shoes are central to systemic innovation. Live from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation Network event in Amsterdam, Kenny Arnold is joined by Dr Yuly Fuentes-Medel and Lewis Campbell from The Footwear Collective. Together, they unpack the urgent need for innovation and collaboration in the footwear industry.You’ll learn: What The Footwear Collective is doing to tackle industry roadblocks head-onHow success is measured by unprecedented collaboration, robust data collection, and active participation from rival companiesWhy their new tool will help companies pinpoint their next steps in their circular economy journeyExplore The Footwear Collective’s Circular Pathways tool https://thefootwearcollective.earthdna.org/If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

To truly transform the food system, we need retailers to sell food that enables nature to thrive.In this episode, learn how leading retailers from around the world are embracing circular design for food, and facing the challenges that occur on the journey.Our guests are Helly McAlister, Senior Buyer at Fortnum & Mason, and Susy Yoshimura, Senior Sustainability Director at Grupo Carrefour Brazil, two pioneering businesses from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Big Food Redesign Challenge.Find out:Why investing in circular design for food is a strategic move that defines the future of retailHow top retailers are cultivating customer demand for products that keep nature in mindThe fundamental importance of cross-team collaboration within organisationsIdeas for engaging suppliers and scaling circular economy initiatives far beyond pilot projectsUseful links:A guide to using circular design for food to build business resilienceExplore the products from the Big Food Redesign ChallengeEp 177: Beyond business as usual: Biodiversity, collaboration and visionary leadership in the food systemEp 179: How are small start-ups, SMEs, and large corporations working together to change the food system?

The circular economy is one of the most powerful tools we have to tackle the climate crisis—but you wouldn’t know it from the carbon accounts.In this episode, we’re joined by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s João Murilo Silva Merico, who explains how current accounting frameworks—like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol—often fail to recognise or reward the emissions benefits of circular practices such as reuse, remanufacturing, and sharing models.You’ll hear:Why emissions reductions from circularity don’t show up where they shouldReal-world examples of how this distorts decision-makingWhat needs to change at a policy and reporting levelWhat businesses can do right now to align climate strategies with circular actionDownload the paper to find out more.  

The circular economy is no longer just a theory; it’s becoming a reality across an increasing number of sectors, from tech and materials to retail and marketing. In this episode, Seb shares four recent stories highlighting the importance of a circular economy across businesses.Join us to find out:-How rethinking product design could help future-proof tech such as iPhones-Why it’s necessary to increase global recycling rates of copper-How consumers are paying more attention to ads with a social or environmental theme-How one household name is adding digital product passports to their clothingHelp us spread the word about the circular economy, by giving us a review on Apple Podcasts, or leaving a comment on YouTube or Spotify.Mentioned in this episode:Hear more from Ke Wang on material security in a circular economy in episode 174Listen to the full conversation with Kantar’s Jonathan Hall on how marketers can drive demand for circular economy in episode 176Mashable: How much would the mythical made-in-the-U.S. iPhone cost?EurekAlert: The influence of copper recycling on prospective resource supply and carbon emission reductionSustainable Brands: In 10-Year Study of Most Effective Brand Campaigns, Sustainability Is a WinTrellis: Why Target is tagging 35 million pieces of clothing with digital IDs

In order to bring the circular economy to life, we need more circular economists. But what does that mean? Who might these circular economists be? And what are their opportunities and challenges?In this episode of the Circular Economy Show, we hear from “The Circular Economist”, Vojtech Vosecky, author of the newsletter The Loop. He has built his career around bringing the circular economy, working with stakeholders across innovation, business and policy. Listen to learn more about:How Vojtech got started on his journeyWhere he sees the greatest momentum in the circular economyWhat he thinks the big challenges are for circular economists todayFind out more about Vojtech’s work by following him on LinkedIn.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Big Food Redesign Challenge set out to demonstrate how redesigning products in line with circular economy principles, can create a food system that allows nature to thrive.In this episode, hear from one of those redesigners, Chloe Stewart from Nibs etc, alongside Katie Carson, Director of Corporate Affairs for Food and Climate Policy at Tetra Pak, to learn more about:The role of upcycled ingredients in designing brand new food productsThe challenges startups and SMEs face in the food industryThe importance of collaboration across the food industry to implement circular design for food principlesWhat enablers and resources are needed to scale food that keeps nature in mindHow larger organisations can support small start-ups and SMEs to foster innovationFind out more about the Big Food Redesign Challenge.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy. 

The idea that stories are powerful is an uncontroversial idea. But what does it really mean to harness story to shift mindsets and inspire positive action towards a circular economy inside and outside of an organisation? In this episode, hear from Poppy Mason-Watts, Chief Growth Officer at WaterBear and Alex Cramwinckel, Global Circularity Strategy Lead at Heineken to find out:Why storytelling is such an important part of the circular champion’s toolkitWhat brands can do to bring this to life in a circular economyHow this extends to supporting the internal transformation of organisations to make them circular readyTo receive more information about Campus, send an inquiry email to campus@emf.org.

The future of food is not predetermined – it's being shaped by the decisions being made today. This episode challenges food industry decision-makers to embrace a new vision for their businesses and the sector as a whole, whether your organisation is big or small. With insights from Rob Cameron, Global Head of ESG Engagement at Nestlé, and Sean Patrick, founder of Gabanna Foodworks, we examine the critical role of leadership in driving the shift towards a more diverse, resilient, and prosperous food system.In this episode we discover:How diversifying ingredients can transform food production and consumer choicesThe power of collaboration between large corporations and agile startups to drive innovationStrategies for companies to work effectively with farmers and suppliers to support nature and build resilient food systemsThe potential for new processing technologies to support the use of a wider variety of cropsExamples of how businesses are creating new food concepts that are both nutritious and deliciousHow circular design for food can help companies meet their environmental targetsFind out more about about the  Big Food Redesign Challenge.

How can businesses sell circular propositions in a world that's rapidly changing? This episode of the Circular Economy Show tackles the marketing challenges and opportunities head-on. Pippa sits down with Jonathan Hall, Managing Partner at Kantar’s Sustainable Transformation Practice, and Amanda Gandolfo, Head of Brands at bike subscription service Swapfiets, to explore how to connect with today's consumers and drive demand for circular products and services.In this episode you'll discover:The surprising shift in societal values that's reshaping consumer buying habits    How to overcome marketing roadblocks like the value-action gap (where consumers say they want sustainability but don't always buy it) and the greenwashing problem    Practical strategies for marketing circularity effectively: Focus on consumer benefits, convenience, and solving real problems    Real-world examples: Learn how Swapfiets is using a circular business model (bike subscription) to disrupt transportation and prioritise customer experienceRead the The marketing playbook for a circular economy and make sure you’re subscribed to the Circular Economy Show to find out about our future episodes about  the playbook.

Circular business models hold immense potential to reshape the fashion industry. In this episode, we explore the exciting opportunities for brands in rental and resale, moving beyond the challenges of getting started. Host Emma Elobeid is joined by guests Andrew Rough from Advanced Clothing Solutions (ACS) and Ryan Atkins from SuperCycle to discuss how brands can capitalise on this shift to unlock new revenue streams, build stronger customer relationships, and create a more sustainable future. Tune in to hear Emma, Andrew and Ryan explore:The significant economic opportunity for brands in circular fashion, including rental and resale modelsHow circular models can enhance brand profitability by better using assets and meeting evolving customer demandsThe importance of brands owning the customer relationship and data in circular commerceHow enabling services and technology are making circularity more accessible and profitable for brandsThe evolution of circular business models and the importance of continuous learning and adaptationLearn more:Listen to episode 131, when Seb went to visit ACS’s warehouse to learn more about the business.Explore the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's latest demonstration project, The Fashion ReModel, which explores making the economics work for circular business models.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.

Find out about the critical role that the circular economy can play in the shift to renewable energy, pairing the EU’s decarbonisation agenda with economic competitiveness and material security.In this episode, host Seb hears from Ke Wang from the World Resources Institute (WRI) about:Why the circular economy is important in the energy transitionHow this is fundamentally driven by economics and competitivenessExamples of what it looks like in practiceIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review or a comment on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us to spread the word about the circular economy.Learn more:Read Ke’s paper More Than Ore: The Pivotal Role Recycled Copper Can Play in the Energy TransitionWant to find out how this topic applies in regions outside of Europe? Read the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s recent publication on the circular economy as a triple play opportunity for China.