CIRCLETTER ? #14: Ready to re-design everything?
Credit: What Design Can Do

CIRCLETTER ? #14: Ready to re-design everything?

1) What happened: EU climate Leadership vs. anti-climate US Policy Paper

The "Global Waste Management Outlook" was launched by UN Environment Programme. In short: We are drowning in waste and we need urgent action to decouple waste generation from economic growth and shift to zero waste and circular economy approaches. More here

Real forward-looking news from the EU Parliament last week. Exports of non-hazardous plastic waste to non-OECD countries will be prohibited, whilst those to OECD countries will be subject to stricter conditions.

And the EU Parliament agreed on the "The Nature Restoration Law". This sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

US elections: Alarming "Project 2025" threatens dismantle climate policies

While politically the EU is this week (not always!) taking steps forward - interesting news emerge in the run up to the 2024 US elections. An alliance of rightwing groups seems to have crafted an extensive presidential proposal - meant to influence the first 180 days of presidency for an incoming Republican president. Climate experts and advocates criticised planning that would dismantle US climate policy. More here.

Get up! Ready to Re-design everything!

All designers and impact-people: Sign yourself up and submit your ideas for one of my favourite calls to action: The New What Design Can Do challenge. Deadline is the 13 March 2024.

At the "Re-design Everything Challenge" designers and creative entrepreneurs are invited to submit creative solutions to address the climate crisis and accelerate the transition to a fair and circular future. This includes ideas to radically redesign the world we live in — our products, materials, stories, systems, services and spaces — through a circular and regenerative lens.

2) Curated reads

  1. Circular economy could save $100bn on waste management costs annuallyUN Report: Global municipal solid waste projected to increase to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050 Municipal waste is on course to increase by more than 66% in volume, leading to direct costs of around $360bn unless more can be done to transition to a circular economy.

2. UN-backed centre for circular economy research to be launched

The UK government has announced that it will establish the “world’s first” ‘international centre of excellence for sustainable resource management in the circular economy’.

The centre is scheduled to open in April 2024, and compromises of five universities: University College London, University of Exeter, Brunel University London, Swansea University, and the British Geological Survey.

3. A Circular Economy for Fish? These Icelandic Companies Have a?Plan

“Here in Iceland, we are lucky that fishermen have been really open to all these innovations,” Sigfússon continues. “Still, so many fishermen around the world that I talk to say, ‘We need to catch more.’ We are actually saying you can catch less and create more value.”

4. For manufacturers, the circular economy strengthens supply chains.

Here’s how...

5. Graphene inventor looks beyond the circular economy

The Nobel-Prize-winning physicist who invented graphene (NB: Graphene stands out for being tough, flexible, light, and with a high resistance. It's calculated that this material is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum. With these properties, graphene has applications in the energy, construction, health, and electronics sectors)?calls out for a move beyond the circular economy (circulating materials) - and focus, where possible, on the development of new technologies and materials.

6. Promoting a circular economy at San Francisco International Airport

Interesting to see where the journey is going for an airport:

7. Battery recycling prompts new tech and new business models

There are many ways to foster a circular EV economy and make money while doing so

8. India: What is the Modi Government's vision of a circular economy?

By 2050, India's circular economy is projected to reach $2 trillion. It is also expected to create close to 10 million jobs by 2050, stated CII in its 'National Circular Economy Framework' (NCEF).

9. Nigeria: Plans to unveil circular economy roadmap for sustainable future

Developed by the Federal Government in partnership with the European Union, ECOWAS and the Consul General of Netherlands in Lagos, the roadmap will guide the country’s transition and define the roles of both the government, which is to put policies in place to enable the private sector to drive the implementation.

10. How do?EU Eco-label paper products promote sustainable forestry?

Responsible paper companies adopt the EU Ecolabel to empower consumers to choose the most environmentally friendly products. In doing so, they promote sustainable forestry.

3) Circular Calendar 2024

4) Infographic of the week

In 2020, global Municipal Solid Waste generation is estimated to have been 2.1 billion tonnes per year. Owing to a combination of economic and population growth, it is projected to increase by 56% to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050 if urgent action is not taken.


5) Video of the week - "Optimism to shift mindset"

How can optimism and creativity help us transition to a circular economy? Model, actress and activist Lily Cole joins Ellen MacArthur and Emma Chow to discuss her journey from fashion model to environmental activist. They discuss progress towards a circular economy, emphasising collaborative efforts among businesses, citizens, and policymakers.?

6) Feedback & circular actions

Feel free to share - and happy to hear your feedback ??

Want to take concrete circular actions - more at:

www.circulareconomist.earth

Hope that the largest economical sector with high impact on material waste (and carbon emission), the construction economy, gets more attention.

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Xavier Cubbin

Sustainable Graphic Designer | Circular economy #graphiste_économie_circulaire_CH

9 个月

One way graphic designers can help to positively impact the environment is to read a book by Brian Dougherty called Green Graphic Design. This book details ways how creatives can implement various strategies and techniques to make their client projects more eco-friendly and still deliver great work ! Here is a link to a review on the book: https://www.designersreviewofbooks.com/2009/11/green-graphic-design/ Has anyone else read this? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts about it. Thanks again Harald for continuing to post great content !

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