Circular Economy news and archive

Crocs launches retail takeback pilot program

Casual footwear brand Crocs has launched a new takeback pilot program in selected retail stores, which invites customers to recycle their old Crocs shoes. Joining the links of footwear brands Timberland and Rothy's, the pilot program encourages customers to 'Give Old Crocs New Life' by donating unwanted old Crocs. As part of the brand's broader...

Business |Jewellery Featured

Finematter raises 2.6 million euros in funding

London-based Finemater, the female-run jewellery platform powered by the world’s leading jewellers, has closed a second seed round, bringing the total raised to 2.6 million euros as it looks to foster a circular jewellery economy. The seed round was backed by renowned tech founders and industry veterans, including contributions from angel...

BusinessFeatured

'Transition to circular economy has virtually come to a standstill despite European billions'

The 10 billion euros that EU member states have received to stimulate the circular economy have "ended up in the waste bin". The vast majority of the budget was spent on waste management, rather than on innovations to reduce the amount of waste, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) concluded in a study. The billions were intended to drive green...

Fashion

Bloom Labs is expediting global shift towards circular economy

Bloom Labs, a platform for the next generation of climate-focused solutions derived from nature, is aiming to accelerate the circular economy by developing sustainable alternatives to fibers and plastics. Their breakthrough material utilises protein-rich waste by-products to create scalable, commercially viable clothing and plastic materials,...

ManagementFeatured

Shein looks to become a global leader in sourcing deadstock fabric

Fashion and beauty e-tailer Shein is partnering with circular economy technology company Queen of Raw to utilise its technology to responsibly source excess fabric inventory from other brands and retailers to help mitigate fashion’s waste crisis. The initiative is part of the global fashion brand’s plans to become a leader in sourcing deadstock...

BusinessFeatured

Report analyses if circular economy can create good jobs, finds bias

A new joint report by global impact organisation Circle Economy, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE) programme at the World Bank followed the question if a circular economy could create good jobs. According to estimates, a total of 7 to 8 million new jobs could be created by increasing the...

Fashion |Interview Featured

Is the footwear market ready for renewables?

UPM Biochemicals is a part of a Finnish company that makes eco-friendly materials from wood. Last year they committed to spend 750 million euros to build the world’s first industry scale bio-refinery in Germany. The factory will make chemicals from wood instead of oil, replacing fossil fuel with renewable sources and sustainable materials. They...

Fashion Featured

5 ways to drive workplace sustainability say experts at Thr3efold event Propel

Thr3efold is all about connection. Launched by founder Jessica Kelly in 2021, the platform provides a resource database to help brands connect the dots and build strategies to help them meet their sustainability goals. Last month it staged Propel at the Arlo Hotel in downtown Manhattan, its first in-person event since the pandemic started, which...

Business

Ikea’s Make it Circular Challenge invites designers and creative entrepreneurs

The Make it Circular Challenge is a partnership between Amsterdam-based non-profit organisation What Design Can Do (WDCD) and the Ikea Foundation, an organisation of home furnishing giant Ikea that tackles inequality. For the fourth time, the challenge calls on innovators worldwide to submit solutions that tackle climate change through circular...

Business

Google launches new accelerator for circular economy startups

Tech giant Google has launched a new accelerator program that is geared to support technology startups and non-profit organisations based in North America and Asia Pacific that further a circular economy. The Google for Startups Accelerator builds on Google’s Climate Change Accelerator, which has supported companies like 75F, AmpUp, Carbon Limit...

ManagementFeatured

Gucci joins Ellen MacArthur Foundation as a strategic partner

Italian fashion house Gucci has announced a new strategic partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to accelerate its vision of a circular economy and regenerative agriculture for the future. Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a charity committed to creating a circular economy that delivers better outcomes for people and the environment and...

Fashion Featured

Timberland unveils first full circular shoe and expands take-back programme

Timberland has unveiled the Timberloop Trekker City Hiker, the brand's first footwear designed for full circularity, alongside the news that it is expanding its product take-back programme, which launched in the US earlier this year to include markets in Europe. New for spring/summer 2022, the Timberloop Trekker City Hiker has been designed with...