Stanford Webinar - Closing the Loop: The Circular Economy, Business & Sustainability

Learn more the Stanford Online Strategies for Sustainability course (stanford.io/3N4ODTi)
Learn more about our Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Program (stanford.io/3KnavYi)
The world’s resources are being consumed at an unprecedented pace. In order to meet sustainability and business goals organizations must adapt their practices to eliminate waste in all processes. Consequently, a growing number of organizations around the world are shifting their business models away from a linear model of “take, make, waste,'' to a circular model where economic activity is decoupled from the consumption of resources. In circular business models, as in natural systems, waste is designed out by making products that can be repaired, disassembled and reused. In this course you’ll hear first-hand how sustainability leaders Kate Brandt (Sustainability Officer, Google Inc.) and Adam Lowry (Co-Founder, Method) took steps to ensure that their companies remain at the forefront of sustainable business practices and innovation.
In this webinar Stanford Professor of the Practice Julia Novy will describe steps businesses are taking to integrate circular economy approaches into core business strategies. She will highlight five business models of the circular economy and discuss national and global trends.
Learn more and enroll in XEIET110 Strategies for Sustainability (stanford.io/3N4ODTi), a Stanford Online professional education course taught by instructors Julia Novy and Pamela Matson, that is part of the Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Program (stanford.io/3KnavYi).
Program Partners
Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
Stanford Change Leadership for Sustainability Program
More Information
[e-mail]
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:11 Closing the Loop: The Circular Economy, Business & Sustainability
9:54 Implications for Business
24:26 Circular Supply Chain
32:57 The evolution of the sharing economy
48:10 Haiti Supply Chain 8 $2M Washing Line Investment

[@jairoenriqueroaleon2239]

Thanks! It was an excellent webminar and I will share it to my students on Innovation !

[@abdul-wahabtahiru2401]

May i please know how i can earn a certificate for taking this course?

[@stanfordonline]

"Hi Abdul-Wahab, thank you for your comment and inquiry into our Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Program! Upon completing at least 5 of the 8 courses, you will obtain a Certification of Completion. You will also receive a digital badge for verification to your employer and can also add to your achievements sections on social media (e.g., LinkedIn). You can view all aspects of the program through the link below and please feel free to reach out with any questions by emailing [e-mail]. online.stanford.edu/programs/energy-innovation-and-emerging-technologies-program

[@dhanashreegochade9500]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 *🌐 Anita Wood introduces the webinar and its guest, Julia Novy, who will discuss circular economy approaches in business strategies. * - Introduction to the webinar focusing on circular economy, business, and sustainability. 03:21 *📚 Julia Novy outlines the agenda, starting with defining sustainability in business, exploring the advantages of the circular economy, discussing five promising business models, and potentially sharing HP Inc.'s circularity model.* - Agenda overview covering sustainability, circular economy benefits, business models, and potential case study. 04:47 *🔄 Julia discusses the concept of sustainability, emphasizing its focus on intergenerational well-being and the need for economic and social pathways that secure future needs without compromising resources.* - Sustainability defined as ensuring well-being across generations. - Shift from linear to circular models required for sustainable development. - Highlighting interdependence among economy, society, and environment. 06:43 *🌐 Julia explores the difference between complicated and complex contexts, emphasizing the necessity for businesses to adapt to a complex operating environment.* - Distinction between complicated and complex contexts. - Complex systems require constant adaptation and experimentation. - Understanding interdependencies crucial for effective decision-making in complex environments. 10:04 *🔄 Discussion shifts to businesses' response to operating in a complex world, emphasizing the need for a systems perspective and integration of sustainability into core strategies.* - Businesses adopting systems perspective for navigating complexity. - Greater responsibility and stakeholder engagement necessary for sustainable operations. - Integration of sustainability critical for long-term value creation. 12:01 *🔄 Julia delves into the circular economy's alignment with systemic views of reality and business operations, focusing on principles such as longevity, renewability, and dematerialization.* - Circular economy principles emphasizing resource efficiency and longevity. - Shift from linear to circular models necessary for sustainable economic development. - Culture shift towards viewing waste as untapped resources essential for circularity. 18:19 *💡 Discussion highlights waste as a central aspect of circularity, addressing the potential economic losses due to the linear growth model's inefficiency in managing resources.* - Understanding waste crucial for transitioning to circular economy. - Identification of wasted resources across sourcing, manufacturing, utilization, and disposal stages. - Economic opportunities associated with circular economy approaches. 21:37 *💼 Julia explores the global scope of the circular economy, emphasizing its economic potential andincreasing adoption by businesses worldwide.* - Circular economy projected to be worth trillions by 2030. - Growing integration of sustainability into strategic decision-making. - Business competitiveness enhanced through circular economy principles. 23:57 *🔄 Circular Economy Business Models* - Circular economy encompasses various business models aimed at sustainability. - Key takeaway: - Accenture's study identified five significant circular business models: circular supply chain, recovery and recycling, product life extension, sharing platform, and product as service. 26:18 *♻️ Circular Supply Chain and Recovery/Recycling Models* - Circular supply chain focuses on using renewable, recyclable, or biodegradable materials. - Recovery and recycling involve reviving waste for other purposes. - Key takeaways: - Examples include Ecovative Design using mycelium for sustainable products and Ford's reuse of aluminum scrap in partnership with Novelis. - Interface utilizes discarded fishing nets and PVB from windscreens to reduce its carbon footprint. 29:35 *🔄 Product Life Extension Model* - Michelin's transition to a service-oriented model through tire leasing. - Remanufacturing processes employed by companies like Caterpillar. - Key takeaway: - By leasing products and remanufacturing end-of-life units, companies can extend product life cycles, reduce waste, and conserve resources. 31:29 *🤝 Sharing Platform Model* - Sharing platforms connect product owners with users, optimizing product utilization. - Key takeaway: - The sharing economy model enhances resource productivity and fosters community connections, benefiting both individuals and businesses. 34:42 *💡 Summary: Circular Economy Benefits and Case Study* - Circular economy principles facilitate resource conservation and environmental sustainability. - Key takeaways: - HP Inc. exemplifies circular economy practices by integrating recycled plastics into its supply chain, tackling ocean plastic pollution, creating job opportunities, and supporting local communities in Haiti. 47:55 *🔄 Circular economy initiatives by HP Inc.* - HP Inc's collaboration with various stakeholders to implement circular economy practices. - Investment in a washing line in Haiti to increase production quantity and quality, providing job opportunities and reducing carbon footprint. - Emphasis on innovation and profitability while ensuring living wages for workers. 50:17 *🌍 Applying circular economy principles in post-war Ukraine.* - Highlighting the need for a shift in mindset towards interdependence and sustainable practices. - Suggestions for rebuilding Ukraine with a focus on policy changes, sector-specific analysis, and cultural shifts towards circularity. - Recognizing opportunities for radical change and innovation amid crisis. 54:31 *💰 Balancing capitalism with sustainability in the circular economy.* - Exploring alternative revenue models beyond product sales, such as selling services. - Considering pricing adjustments for durable products and transitioning to a service-based business model. - Recommending resources like the book "Waste to Wealth" for understanding economic shifts in circular economies. 56:55 *⏱️ Timeline of HP Inc's transition to circular economy practices.* - Overview of HP Inc's 15-20 year investment in recycling print cartridges. - Evolution of initiatives, including sourcing plastic bottles for recycling in Haiti over the past 7-8 years. - Emphasis on learning, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout the transition process. Made with HARPA AI