The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is doing some fantastic research into the Circular Economy. The following description follows their narrative of it as a concept, watch their Rethinking Progress: The Circular EconomyYoutube clip.

Millennials and the Circular Economy revolution

The natural environment has been around for billions of years. This environment produces no waste. One species' waste is another’s food. Things grow, then die and nutrients return to the soils safely. It works.

Yet as humans we have adopted a linear approach, we take, we make and then we dispose.

The latest iPhone comes out, so we ditch the old one. Fashion trends change, so we buy more clothes and throw out ‘old’ items. Each time we do this we are eating into the finite supply of resources and polluting our environment. It simply cannot work long term. So what can?

If we can accept that the natural circular model works, we can change our way of thinking so we too can operate a circular economy. The circular economy is an economy in which the lifecycles of materials are maximised. Their use is optimised. At the end of life, all materials are repurposed. It’s one where waste no longer exists.

What if the waste of today became the resources of tomorrow? It makes commercial sense. Instead of the throwaway and replace model we have become used to, we would adopt a return and renew one. Where products and components would be designed to be disassembled and regenerated.

Here we have a model that builds prosperity for the long term. The good news is that there are already companies out there that are adopting this way of working.

Come along and hear from some inspiring young business people ‘walking the talk’ when it comes to the circular economy in NZ. This is also an opportunity to mix and mingle with other like-minded young people over a drink and nibbles.

Now Crowd Members FREE

Non-members $15

Speakers:

Oliver Hunt – Founder/CEO, Medsalv

Oliver Hunt is the founder of Medsalv, a company that reprocesses single-use medical devices, returning these to hospitals for re-use. Medsalv is adapting and applying an international industry model to New Zealand. It deals with our unique small scale and regulatory requirements, all within the politically charged context of health care.

Adriana Christie – Co-owner, The Pallet kingdom

Adriana Christie and her partner own The Pallet Kingdom, turning unwanted shipping pallets into trendy furniture, with help from young people struggling with depression. This project started in 2014 with the aim to produce sustainable, fashionable and functional furniture from otherwise unwanted pallets. The Pallet Kingdom has also started running educational workshops about sustainability at schools.

Oscar Ellison – Founder/CEO, Yourdrive

Oscar Ellison quit his job as a civil engineer to found Yourdrive in 2012. Since launching Yourdrive has grown to become New Zealand’s largest car sharing platform. The business raised investment from JUCY in 2016 and continues to grow year on year. Yourdrive now has more than 500 vehicles available to rent on the platform.

Kindly sponsored by Collective Hospitality, Yealands Wine, Corona and Karma Cola.

Supported By The Circular Economy Accelerators