Episode 30 – What have we learned?

It’s EPISODE 30, and we're reflecting on the last nine episodes, drawing out some themes we can learn from. Plus, there is a further conversation with Geoff van Sonsbeeck of womenswear brand Baukjen, in which we discuss packaging. The wonders of online communication mean we’ve been to the United States, Jordan, Uganda, Canada and Ghana in the last nine episodes. We’ve talked to a start-up looking for funding, two social enterprises, two charities, a community cooperative, and several businesses that have been growing for 15-20 years. If we look at the circular economy strategies of these organisations: five are helping to ‘Close the Loop and Regenerate’, two are ‘Slowing the Flow’ of materials through more durable, circular designs, and two are ‘Intensifying the Flow’ through sharing services. To read a summary of those circular economy strategies with a simple diagram, go to the Resources section of the Rethink Global website and read our article: What is the circular economy We’ll also look at how these different organisations are creating value for different groups – for their customers, suppliers, employees, communities -  and for our planet. Podcast host Catherine Weetman is a circular economy business advisor, workshop facilitator, speaker and writer.  Her award-winning book, includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.  Catherine founded Rethink Global in 2013, to help businesses use circular, sustainable approaches to build a better business (and a better world). Stay in touch for free insights and updates... Read on for a summary of the podcast and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention. You can subscribe to the podcast series on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PlayerFM, Spotify, TuneIn, or search for "circular economy" in your favourite podcast app.  Stay in touch to get free insights and updates, direct to your inbox...Links we mention in the episode:* Book: https://www.rethinkglobal.info/circular-economy-handbook/* Article: What is the circular economy https://www.rethinkglobal.info/what-is-the-circular-economy/* Catherine’s blog: Why ‘semi-circular’ strategies are a sustainable step forward      https://www.rethinkglobal.info/semi-circular-strategies/* Catherine’s blog: Fashion: from fast and forgettable to slow and sustainable - why purpose-driven brands like Baukjen and Isabella Oliver are choosing circular strategies https://www.rethinkglobal.info/fast-forgettable-to-slow-sustainable-circular-fashion/* Catherine’s blog on social entrepreneurs in Africa - Transforming plastic waste into social value https://www.rethinkglobal.info/plastic-waste-social-value-africa/* Close the Loop