What if we could design a system where waste becomes valuable? Today, we explore the transformative power of circularity with our guests, Nellie Cohen and Dan Kurzrock. As the Founder of Baleen (and creator of the Worn Wear project at Pataognia), Nellie specializes in circular textile design and implementation, while Dan, Founder and CEO of Upcycled Foods Inc., champions food waste reduction by repurposing byproducts as key ingredients for new items.
In today’s conversation, we explore the intricacies of implementing circular practices within businesses. Nellie discusses the various options for creating systems that facilitate circularity in the textile industry and beyond, and Dan shares insights on the importance of recognizing food waste as an opportunity rather than a burden. We also delve into the economic and environmental benefits of adopting a circular model and why it’s not just about sustainability but also profitability.
Regardless of your company size or industry, the principles of circularity are invaluable for anyone in the B Corp community. If you want to learn how to integrate these principles into your business and contribute to a growing circular economy, this is the episode for you! Tune in today to find out how you can redefine waste through innovative solutions.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Nellie’s background implementing circularity in the textile industry.
- Lessons from Patagonia’s Common Threads garment recycling program.
- Dan’s journey to founding Upcycled Foods Inc. and insight into its mission.
- The importance of viewing food waste as an opportunity for innovation.
- Key principles of a circular economy and how to apply them in business.
- Opportunities for integrating circularity into your business, from systems to design.
- Using collaboration to drive circular initiatives across different sectors, especially as B Corps.
- The economic advantages of adopting circular practices in various industries.
- Addressing challenges and misconceptions regarding sustainability and profitability.
- Real-world examples of businesses successfully implementing circularity.
- Key takeaways for unlocking circularity in the food and textile industries and beyond.
- How individuals can contribute to a more circular economy in their daily lives.
Quotations:
“You can't design a product ‘for circularity’ if you don't have a system that's ready to accept that product into it and [then] do whatever transformation or service [necessary] to that [product] to keep it in its highest use as long as possible.” — Nellie Cohen [0:11:41]
“When it comes to waste reduction and incorporating principles of circularity, [there’s] often common-sense business principles that go into that as well.” — Daniel Kurzrock [0:20:05]
“Starting with different purchasing models can be an easier lift than product design. It allows a company to take responsibility for, hopefully, a large percentage of products that they've already put out into the world. So you get this moment to correct past mistakes.” — Nellie Cohen [0:22:34]
“If you embrace the challenge of, ‘how do we innovate our way out of this using these guidelines of circularity to help us make better choices,’ [then you] can make some fascinating, engaging programs that can have quite a large halo effect too.” — Nellie Cohen [01:01:49]
“My favorite definition of [innovation], in very simple terms, is putting creativity into action. To use innovation as a force for good, you have to put creativity into action.” — Daniel Kurzrock [01:02:29]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Nellie Cohen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellie-cohen-69233194/Daniel Kurzrock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielkurzrock/
Baleen: https://www.workwithbaleen.com/
Upcycled Foods Inc.: https://upcycledfoods.com/
Patagonia: https://www.patagonia.com/
‘Patagonia’s Common Threads Garment Recycling Program: A Detailed Analysis’: https://www.patagonia.com/on/demandware.static/Sites-patagonia-us-Site/Library-Sites-PatagoniaShared/en_US/PDF-US/common_thread_exec_summary.pdf
Worn Wear: https://wornwear.patagonia.com/
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