How can a reusable pad company address education, employment, and environmental waste simultaneously? In this episode, Madhvi Dalal, founder of PadMad, talks about why and how she built a social enterprise to tackle period poverty in Kenya, a country where 65% of women and girls cannot afford menstrual products. This crisis leads to girls missing school and exams, forces them to improvise pads with unhygienic materials, and leaves them exposed to be taken advantage of. Madhvi walks us through PadMad's three-pillar focus: education, running workshops in schools and workplaces to break stigma and provide information. Empowerment, employing marginalised women to manufacture the pads. And environment, creating reusable pads from textile waste to reduce plastic pollution. You'll also hear how this model has scaled to impact over 150,000 people and prevented millions of disposable pads from polluting Kenya's environment.

How can fish waste solve a national animal feed crisis and empower local communities? In this episode, Faith Mwende from Sea Ventures explains how her startup tackles the massive post-harvest losses in Kenya's fishing industry, where 60-70% of the catch becomes waste. You'll hear how Sea Ventures creates a circular economy model by collecting this fish waste and processing it into high-quality animal feed, directly addressing Kenya's scarcity of animal feed. Faith also talks about the company's social impact, which includes creating jobs, providing training in sustainable farming, and empowering women in both the fishing and agricultural sectors. Recorded in Mombasa, Kenya, this episode showcases a local solution that integrates environmental action with economic and community development.

How do you build a sustainable e-waste management system in Kenya? In this episode, Jane Muriithi and Thuo Lawrence from E-waste Initiative Kenya (EWIK) talk about their approach to e-waste management across Kenya. Jane describes EWIK's collection model through drop-off points and door-to-door pickups across multiple cities, their repair and refurbishment process, and the challenges of managing different materials when items can't be repaired. You'll also hear about EWIK's skills training programs for youth, including e-waste handling and ICT repair, with specific support for young mothers through onsite childcare, entrepreneurship courses, and mentorship. Thuo explains their research mapping Kenya's e-waste value chain through stakeholder interviews to inform Extended Producer Responsibility schemes. Listen to know how to build environmental and social impact through e-waste management, and to understand why partnerships necessary to scale e-waste recycling across East Africa.

How can we transform the textile industry in Kenya to embrace a circular economy? In this episode, Alex Musembi from Africa Collect Textiles (ACT) and Sarah Njau from Green Forest Solutions discuss their collaborative efforts to streamline textile recycling and reuse in Kenya. Alex describes ACT's model of collecting post-consumer textiles through drop-off points and door-to-door pickups, sorting them for resale and upcycling, and the challenges of incentivizing proper disposal. Sarah explains the role of Green Forest Solutions in helping set up Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, which are vital for funding the infrastructure needed for effective textile waste management. They both highlight the impact of fast fashion, the need for better product design, and the importance of international partnerships to sustain these environmental initiatives. This episode sheds light on the intricate dynamics of the textile recycling market in Kenya and the global efforts required to support it.

How do you build a circular economy for plastic that includes the informal sector? In this episode, Keiran Smith from Mr. Green Africa explains their approach to plastic recycling, which is built on integrating the informal waste collection sector into a formal business. Keiran details their model: a decentralized system of buy-back centers that use a proprietary app for transparent payments, a processing facility that turns collected plastic into pellets, and direct partnerships with corporations who use the recycled material in their packaging. You'll hear how Mr. Green Africa navigates the challenges of a fragmented supply chain, competes with the cost of virgin plastic, and plans to expand its operations from Kenya into other markets in East Africa.

What does it take to operate a waste management company in a market where you have to compete with a dump site fee of just one dollar per ton? In this episode, Daniel Paffenholz from Taka Taka Solutions details the realities of building an integrated waste management and recycling company in Kenya. He explains the immense challenge of scaling in a heavily fragmented and informal market, where you must compete against hundreds of other operators. We discuss the entire operational flow, from collection and sorting at their material recovery facility. Daniel describes the economic pressures of operating without gate fees and the strategic necessity to move beyond simple recycling into value-added compounding to build resilience against global market shifts. Recorded on site in Nairobi, this episode provides a ground-level view of the complexities and strategic decisions involved in the waste management industry in an emerging market.

What does it take to build community in one of Africa's largest dumpsites? In this episode, Cricket Writes from The Artistic Junction Collective talks about the reality of daily life at Dandora Dumpsite and community efforts to create change through art and collective action. Cricket walks us through the physical site and the social structures that govern it: the hierarchy between "big fish" and ordinary waste pickers, the struggle for school fees, and the dangers workers face without compensation or protection. You'll hear how The Artistic Junction Collective uses theatre, film, and poetry to address gender-based violence, provide alternatives to crime for youth, and work towards establishing a community art centre that offers residents a space to tell their own stories. Participating in this episode are also Geoffrey Karani, Kennedy Kiige, Wambui Gitangu, Susan Nyambura, and Ann Mega. Recorded on site at Dandora Dumpsite in Nairobi, Kenya, this episode showcases the harsh realities of working in waste and how communities respond to systemic neglect with creativity and solidarity.

Can circular entrepreneurship reshape Kenya’s waste economy? In this episode, Richard Kainika (Kenya Association of Waste Recyclers), David Ongare (National Environment Management Authority), and Hanna Dittmeyer (AHK Services Eastern Africa Ltd) share how Kenya is building circular systems from the ground up through informal networks, selective regulation, and everyday business ingenuity. From secondhand markets and plastic recycling to extended producer responsibility and policy enforcement, Kenya’s circular economy is already in motion. But challenges remain, especially in waste infrastructure and electronic waste management. Recorded live in Kenya, this episode opens the Circularity.fm series on circularity in Kenya, spotlighting how local actors are turning waste into value and shifting systems from the bottom up.

How can we create a business case for restoring nature instead of exploiting it? In this episode, Thomas Norman from EcoTree explains how to turn environmental action from a cost into an asset by making people actual owners of trees. Inspired by Denmark's successful bottle recycling system that achieves 92% return rates through financial incentives, Norman shows how this approach can be applied to forestry by allowing individuals and companies to buy trees and claim both environmental benefits and future timber revenues. In his keynote, you'll hear more about the financial incentives that drive environmental behavior, tree ownership as an investment model, and market-based solutions for scaling sustainable forestry initiatives. Norman also explores how capitalism's core concepts like property law and market mechanisms can democratise nature investment and scale conservation efforts. Recorded live at the LOOP Forum 2025, this episode features key insights and ideas from this year's leading Nordic conference on circularity.

How can a global company cut emissions while growing their business by 37%? In this episode, Katrine Grytter, Corporate Affairs Director at Mars Incorporated, shares how the company is working toward net zero while expanding their business. Mars has reduced emissions by 23% since 2018 while growing sales significantly, showcasing that sustainability and growth can work together. Grytter explains Mars's approach to net zero planning, from measuring emissions across their entire value chain to setting milestone targets every five years. She discusses the challenges of working with suppliers and partners to reduce emissions beyond their direct operations, and how they integrate sustainability into leadership bonuses. Her keynote explores net zero strategy development, value chain partnerships, milestone-based planning, and linking sustainability performance to business incentives. This episode is part of our series on the LOOP Forum 2025 highlights, bringing you the key ideas and insights from this year's leading Nordic event on circularity. Listen to hear practical insights from one of the world's largest food companies on their net zero journey.

What happens when businesses destroy the very resources they depend on to survive? In this episode, biologist and radio host Alexander Holm explains the biodiversity crisis and reveals how industries are systematically eliminating themselves through overexploitation of natural resources. Nature provides essential services like cleaning water, holding soil together, and pollinating crops that would cost trillions to replace. Holm shows how Amazon beef production is destroying the rainfall it needs, fisheries have collapsed from overfishing, and farms are degrading their own soil. His keynote explores what biodiversity actually means, the free ecosystem services nature provides, and practical solutions for sustainable resource use without reducing living standards. This episode is part of our series on the LOOP Forum 2025 highlights, bringing you the key ideas and insights from this year's leading Nordic event on circularity.

How can conversation become a real driver of circular transformation? In this episode, George Marshall explains why conversations are central to circular change and how to design them to build trust, reach across difference, and motivate action. Circular economy strategies often focus on systems and structures but lasting change only happens when people connect new behaviors to their own identity and values. Without shared understanding and engagement, technical solutions risk staying at the surface. Recorded live at the LOOP Forum 2025, his keynote explores how businesses can move beyond top-down messaging to create real dialogue that activates people at every level of an organisation. This episode is part of our series on the LOOP Forum 2025 highlights, bringing you the key ideas and insights from this year’s leading Nordic event on circularity.

What does it take to build truly regenerative economies? Circularity is not just about recycling or material flows. It also requires transforming how we use land, manage ecosystems, and design business models that work with and not against the biosphere. In this episode, speakers explore how to move beyond technical fixes and address the broader environmental and economic systems that shape regeneration. Recorded live at the CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025, the panel brought together Michael Obersteiner from the University of Oxford and Miki Yokoyama from Aurum Impact to share perspectives on what it takes to turn regenerative economy concepts into practical strategies. This episode is part of our CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025 series, created in partnership with CIRCULAR REPUBLIC to bring you the key debates and insights from this year’s festiva

Do we really understand the value of product passports? As regulations like the Digital Product Passport take shape, many companies are focused on compliance. But the deeper question is whether we are using product data strategically: across lifecycles, across systems, and for actual circular value creation. In this episode, speakers explore how data can move beyond reporting requirements to become a driver of innovation, competitiveness, and business model transformation in the circular economy. Recorded live at the CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025, the panel brought together Susanne Kadner from CIRCULAR REPUBLIC, Tilmann Vahle from Quantis, Pascal Köhler from ebm-papst, and Caroline Cassignol from Siemens to discuss how data availability, transparency, and intellectual property concerns intersect with real circular impact. This episode is part of our CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025 series, created in partnership with CIRCULAR REPUBLIC to bring you the key debates and insights from this year’s festival.

Can robotics make large-scale disassembly a reality for the circular economy? Automated disassembly is emerging as a key enabler for circular strategies such as repair, remanufacturing, and high-quality recycling. But turning this vision into scalable practice requires technical integration, economic viability, and alignment across industries. In this episode, speakers from robotics, recycling, and research explore how automation technologies can extend product lifecycles, reduce waste, and unlock new efficiencies in resource use. Recorded live at the CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025, the panel brought together Fridolin Franke from SOLAR MATERIALS, Rebecca Zhu from Circu Li-ion, Tobias Ortmaier from voraus robotik, and José Saenz from Fraunhofer IFF to discuss the role of robotics in enabling circularity through disassembly. This episode is part of our CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025 series, created in partnership with CIRCULAR REPUBLIC to bring you the key debates and insights from this year’s festival.

How can the chemical industry become a driving force for a circular economy? From molecular design to large-scale production, the chemical sector underpins nearly every material stream in the global economy. But transforming it for circularity means rethinking not just processes, but business models, regulation, and collaboration between industry and science. In this episode, speakers from startups, corporates, and research institutions share what it will take to reshape chemistry for a circular future across materials, markets, and supply chains. Recorded live at the CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025, the panel brought together Manuel Häußler from Aevoloop, Gerben Meier from LyondellBasell, Christian Schiller from Cirplus, and Peter Seeberger from CTC. The discussion was moderated by Leonhard Nima from Studio Nima. This episode is part of our CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025 series, created in partnership with CIRCULAR REPUBLIC to bring you the key debates and insights from this year’s festival.

What does it really take to build a successful textile recommerce model? Product lifetime extension and recommerce are widely seen as pillars of a circular economy, but moving beyond pilot projects requires more than ambition. Brands must confront operational, financial, and customer-facing challenges to scale recommerce in a way that delivers both impact and profit. In this episode, speakers from fashion, outdoor gear, and platform services share practical insights on what works, what stalls, and what it takes to grow textile recommerce models at scale. Recorded live at the CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025, the panel brought together Christina Rosenberg from HUGO BOSS, Carl Warkentin from CIRCULAR REPUBLIC, Jens Oellrich from Bergzeit, Matt Peterson from Gore, and Max Grosse Lutermann from Trove to explore the barriers and enablers of circular resale strategies. This episode is part of our CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025 series, created in partnership with CIRCULAR REPUBLIC to bring you the key debates and insights from this year’s festival.

Is circularity the next frontier for German engineering? From industrial automation to in-vehicle electronics, high-performance systems depend on complex, globally sourced materials. This creates serious challenges for sustainability and supply security - but also opens new opportunities for circular strategies that extend product lifespans and recover critical resources. In this episode, speakers from manufacturing, mobility, and tech explore how German industry can integrate circularity into core business functions including R&D, procurement, and governance. Recorded live at the CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025, the panel brought together Ansgar Kriwet from Festo, Eva Riesenhuber from Siemens, Patric Tullio from BMW Group, Lukas Biedermann from SPARETECH, and Niclas-Alexander Mauss from CIRCULAR REPUBLIC to discuss what circular electronics and automation could mean for the future of German engineering. This episode is part of our CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025 series, created in partnership with CIRCULAR REPUBLIC to bring you the key debates and insights from this year’s festival.

How can Germany design a workable EPR scheme for textiles? With Extended Producer Responsibility approaching, the textile sector in Germany faces increasing pressure to develop systems that are both legally compliant and operationally feasible. But turning regulation into practice requires coordination across brands, recyclers, and service providers. In this episode, speakers from across the textile sector explore how to create an EPR framework that can function in real market conditions and deliver measurable impact. Recorded live at the CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025, the panel brought together Steffen Gerlach of eeden, Julia Haas of Interzero, Marie Nawrocki of Decathlon, Sophie Herrmann of SYSTEMIQ, and Carl Warkentin of CIRCULAR REPUBLIC to discuss the legal, logistical, and strategic dimensions of EPR for textiles. This episode is part of our CIRCULAR REPUBLIC FESTIVAL 2025 series, created in partnership with CIRCULAR REPUBLIC to bring you the key debates and insights from this year’s festival.

Are we truly shifting beyond the linear economy or just circling around it? Despite growing pressure on natural systems and the depletion of critical resources, the shift toward a circular economy remains slow and complex. While pioneering efforts have demonstrated circular potential, questions persist about whether we are replacing the linear model or simply repackaging it. In this episode, Sandrine Dixson-Declève, former Co-President of the Club of Rome, stresses the need for systemic change to address both environmental collapse and social injustice. Following her keynote at the CIRCULAR REPUBLIC Festival 2025, she joined Jocelyn Blériot, Executive Lead for Policy and Institutions at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, for a panel discussion moderated by Niclas-Alexander Mauss. Together, they explored what is holding back the circular transition, from cost structures to deeply embedded incentives for extraction. This episode is the first in our CIRCULAR REPUBLIC Festival 2025 series, created in partnership with CIRCULAR REPUBLIC to bring you the key debates and insights from this year’s festival.