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Circular Economy

The constant stream of new models, products and processes that are helping organizations extend the useful life of resources and materials while reducing, repurposing and ultimately eliminating waste in all its forms

Isidore Electronics Recycling Helps Give Electronics - and Inmates - a Fresh Start

In the final week leading up to the Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SBIO) finals on June 5th, where the runner-up will be decided via live online public vote, we will feature daily articles introducing our semi-finalists. Today, meet Isidore Electronics Recycling.Los Angeles-based start-up Isidore Electronics Recycling has three distinct missions: Read More...

FreshPaper: Saving the World from Spoiled Food

In the final week leading up to the Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SBIO) finals presented by Target on June 5th, where the runner-up will be decided via live online public vote, we will feature daily articles introducing our semi-finalists. Today, meet Fenugreen.Some of the best ideas are the simplest ones.Boston-based social enterprise Fenugreen is using its simple product, FreshPaper, to tackle a complex problem — global food waste. Read More...

Starbucks Is in a Unique Position To Push Consumers To Waste Less. Will It?

Starbucks is one of America’s most iconic brands for many reasons. The company transformed coffee culture and taught U.S. consumers to appreciate better coffee beans and traditional coffee beverages long on the menu in Europe. Read More...

Alcoa Facility Saves 50% of Energy Used To Recycle Aluminum for Forged Wheels

Alcoa yesterday announced a major expansion to the Wheel and Transportation Products casthouse at its Barberton, Ohio plant that is expected to cut in half the total amount of energy used to recycle aluminum for forged wheels, reducing greenhouse gases and increasing the overall efficiency and sustainability of the company's manufacturing process. Read More...

Kroger Converting Food Waste to Clean Energy To Power Compton Distribution Center

The Kroger Co. this month unveiled a clean energy production system that will convert food that cannot be sold or donated into energy to help power its Ralphs/Food 4 Less distribution center in Compton. Read More...

'Fresher for Longer' Campaign Hopes To Reduce UK Food Waste by Highlighting Importance of Packaging

In a recent report from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), researchers determined that consumer attitudes and behaviors surrounding food packaging could help reduce household food waste. Read More...

UK Retailers Increase Efforts To Decrease Food Waste

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Unilever, AB InBev, Nestlé, and 45 other retailers, manufacturers and brands have all recommitted to a joint reduction of food and drink waste by 1.1 million metric tons by 2015. Read More...

Dell Social Innovation Challenge Think Tank a Booming Online Success

A dozen or so experts on social innovation and sustainability gathered in Austin, TX, on Tuesday for the Dell Social Innovation Challenge, a yearly program that inspires social entrepreneurship all over the world. Read More...

Thread: Reducing Waste and Creating Jobs for Those Who Need It Most

Each week leading up to the Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SBIO) finals on June 5th, where the runner-up will be decided via live online public vote, we will feature articles introducing our semi-finalists. This week, meet Thread. If you purchase a product from Thread, chances are that it started off as a plastic bottle in the slums of Haiti. Read More...

Sainsbury’s Reports 50% Reduction in Water Usage Since 2005

Sainsbury’s reports that through a number of actions addressing such issues as leak detection, and utilizing rainwater throughout its operations, it has reduced its operational water consumption levels across its entire estate by 50 percent compared to 2006. Read More...

The Upcycle: Beyond Cradle to Cradle

William McDonough & Michael Braungart’s newest book, The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability — Designing for Abundance, is an updated version of their manifesto Cradle to Cradle, published over a decade ago. The Upcycle goes one step beyond the t Read More...

Back to the Roots Growing Food Education, Reducing Waste Thanks to Smart Design

Each week leading up to the Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SBIO) finals on June 5th, where the runner-up will be decided via live online public vote at SB '13, we will feature an article on one of our SBIO semi-finalists. This week, we re-introduce you to local innovators Back to the Roots. There’s nothing like attractive design for turning people on to something new and unusual. Read More...

HP Expands Cartridge Recycling Options, Receives FSC Certification for Everyday Paper Line

HP last week announced it is launching a new line of sustainably sourced paper and partnering with several major office supply retailers to expand its customer recycling options. Read More...

SBIO Semi-Finalist PrintEco Wants to Help You Save Time and Paper

Each week leading up to the Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SBIO) finals on June 5th, where the runner-up will be decided via live online public vote at SB '13, we will feature an article on one of our SBIO semi-finalists. This week, meet the SBIO Public Vote Semi-finalist winner, PrintEco. Read More...

Recyclebank Funds 27 Eco Projects With Green Schools Program

Recyclebank, which offers discounts and deals from local and national businesses as rewards to individuals and groups who take green actions in their everyday lives, this week announced its backing of some 27 environmental projects at schools across the country through the Recyclebank Green Schools Pr Read More...

U.S. Brands Slow To Embrace Textile Recycling Are Missing Opportunities

Textile and clothing recycling has always lagged behind the sustainable disposal of other household products such as glass, aluminum and even plastic. The numbers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, are disturbing. Read More...

BASF Sponsors Seattle Mariners’ Second Annual Waste Reduction Program

BASF has teamed up with the Seattle Mariners for the second season of Sustainable Saturdays at Safeco Field, which aims to divert ballpark waste from the landfill. Read More...

P&G Achieves Zero Waste at 45 Manufacturing Sites Worldwide

On Tuesday, Procter & Gamble (P&G) announced that it recycles, repurposes or converts 100 percent of the waste at 45 manufacturing sites around the world and claims less than one percent of raw materials currently leave its plants as waste. Read More...

From Problem to Product: Enterprising Companies Making a Resource of Marine Plastic

Incorporating post-consumer materials into products has become common practice for numerous brands. But a growing number of companies and NGOs are going a step further, looking to upcycle harmful plastic debris from the ocean, even if it means creating a supply chain and tapping new technology. Aquafil, a company that makes nylon textile fibers, recently joined the Healthy Seas Initiative to retrieve and recycle nylon fishing nets. The company already is one of the world’s leading recyclers with an insatiable demand for plastic waste. Read More...

Closing the Loop: Turning Waste Into Primary Packaging

Over 125 billion rigid plastic containers are produced and consumed in the US every year, but according to the EPA only 28% are recycled, with the rest piling up in landfills and oceans. There is an undeniable packaging waste problem in today’s society, which suggests that innovation opportunities are plenty in the packaging industry. Read More...

Upcoming Events

December 11-12, 2024
SB Member Network: Shifting Customer Behavior and Demand December Member Meeting
Member Event
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March 18-19, 2025
SB'25 Tokyo Marunouchi
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