In the latest
episodes,
Global Sustainability Director Jeff
Wooster
speaks with industry leaders about innovative waste management efforts and
treating materials as valuable resources:
It’s no surprise that navigating investments in recycling and waste management
is complex. For Gonzalo Roqué, Regional
Manager of the Latin America Recycling Program at Fundación
Avina, sustainability is not only the goal but
a necessity that should be at the forefront of all innovation. Avina — a
regional non-profit — works with a broad network of partners to support
sustainable development in Latin America, with a particular focus on climate
change, the
economy,
governance and public goods. Its work helps create real impact by encouraging
and driving alliances between social and business leaders.
Recently, Roqué joined Wooster to discuss waste-management problems facing the
region. They highlighted “Recycling for a
Change”
— a collaborative project funded by Dow that aims to transform the future of
waste management in Latin America and provide economic benefits by improving
training, equipment, administration and professionalism for waste-management
workers. This initiative scales change through public and private sector
partnerships, and by prioritizing innovation and tapping into creativity to
design products for circularity.
Organizational consultant and “tidying” expert Marie
Kondo says that decluttering is the best way to spark joy
and unburden your lifestyle. For Gail Tavill, Franchise Owner of
Connecticut-based Junkluggers, decluttering
promotes circularity when waste is optimized as a
resource.
Junkluggers is far more than your average junk company — it works to accelerate
a circular economy and transform the waste-collection industry through donating,
repurposing and recycling unwanted waste across the US. Ultimately, its services
help extend the lifecycle of residential, commercial and industrial products
including pianos,
furniture
and
electronics
that would otherwise be improperly or prematurely discarded.
Wooster and Tavill recently discussed how shifting individual mindsets from a
linear “take-make-dispose” system to a circular one — where used materials
remain a valuable
resource
— will help create smarter and more sustainable solutions in the future. Tavill
emphasized the importance of sustainable disposal services and the vital role
experts and professional services such as Junkluggers play in helping people
properly sort materials and contribute to a circular, sustainable future.
Through the end of the year, Dow leaders will continue to have these vital
conversations about the circular economy, keeping waste out of the environment,
packaging innovations and other sustainability topics that are more important
than ever.
Have a question or want more information about Dow’s approach to a circular
economy? Connect with Jeff, our Global Sustainability Director, on
Twitter or
LinkedIn.
Dow
Published Sep 30, 2021 8am EDT / 5am PDT / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST