Sabira Lakhani and Garr Punnett start out the podcast with the existential nature of founding not just a solution based company but also a circular company with the challenges and opportunities it presents.
They explore the growth model of Amazon as an example of a successful business model and discuss the importance of understanding the current linear economy and finding clues in broken models. They also delve into the different versions of circular economy, including Circular Economy 1.0 and Circular Economy 2.0, and the business models associated with each.
In the interview segment, Jon Smieja explores the challenges and progress in the circular economy space. Jon highlights the efforts made by Green Biz to create a welcoming community for new attendees and young professionals.
The discussion also delves into the barriers faced in implementing circular economy practices and the need for support infrastructure. The slow adoption curve and the potential for growth in different industries, such as the built environment, consumer electronics. While we are currently designing solutions, the different levers of change in the transition to a circular economy need to factor in the value of collaboration, co-opetition, and the role of governments in driving circular economy initiatives.
The conversation also highlights the importance of sharing ideas and results, the mix of attendees at the conference, and the role of AI in knowledge transfer. The chapters conclude with a discussion of what to expect at Circularity 24 and the hope found in the circular economy movement.
