Press Release
24 March 2021
Big brands flock to support new Festival of Circular Economy
A host of top brands, as well as high-profile speakers and organisations – including eBay, H&M, Microsoft and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation – have lent their support to the inaugural Festival of Circular Economy.
Taking place on 20-21 April, the Festival of Circular Economy is a flagship event organised by CIWM and events experts, Haymarket. It’s a one-of-a-kind virtual festival focusing exclusively on all aspects of the circular economy.
The festival is supported by influential organisations with an allying circular ethos, including the Circular Economy Club, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, WRAP, the International Solid Waste Association, ReLondon and Zero Waste Scotland.
Sarah Poulter, CIWM’s CEO, said: “The Festival of Circular Economy presents an opportunity for us to collaborate and learn from one another as we move towards sustainable closed-loop systems that not only work for the environment but have a supportable business case, too.
“Not only that – it’s a chance to raise awareness and promote real change at a time when change is possible. We shouldn’t let this unique opportunity go to waste and to do that, we have to come together.”
A number of high-profile global brands have joined the speaker line-up, including eBay, H&M, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Siemens, National Trust and Nestle.
eBay’s Senior Business Development Manager, Laura Richards, will be speaking in a day-two session offering lessons learnt on proving a business model based on the circular economy.
Laura said: “The Festival of Circular Economy is a hub for people who want to drive change, learn and network, and I am looking forward to meeting like-minded people as we all work together to reach a shared goal – climate action.
“In my role at eBay, I’m well aware that businesses need to co-ordinate their efforts in order to bring forward the circular economy. By working together, I hope that we will achieve improvements to the environment sooner rather than later, and this event is a step in the right direction for this.”
Laura will be joined by a range of speakers such as Dr Walter Stahel, Bert Van Son of Mud Jeans, Niall Walker of Diageo and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Nikki Kapp, who will get to grips with how we measure and certify circularity.
The Festival of Circular Economy will include plenary conference sessions, case studies, break-out tracks, an interactive exhibition area, and messaging and chat facilities to enable networking and conversation.
It offers a forum for all actors – from start-ups to multinationals, from research projects to governments – to generate ideas and learn from those at the forefront of change.
The two-day global festival will include a focus on:
• Circular Packaging
• Circular Construction
• Circular Fashion
• Circular Food Systems
• Circular Electronics
• Circular Economics
• Circular Cities
• Circular Procurement
• Circular Systems
• Circular Design
• Climate Change
• Circular Business Models
• Circular Investment
“The construction sector generates over 60% of the UK’s waste and therefore offers enormous opportunity to improve industry’s environmental impacts,” said Element4’s managing director, Georgia Elliot-Smith, who will chair the day-two session on reducing construction waste.
“I’m delighted to participate in the Festival of the Circular Economy, communicating exciting innovations, fresh perspectives and practical measures to help industry drive forward to a new green future.”
Further details can be found at www.circulareconomyfestival.com
[ENDS]
Notes to Editors:
CIWM is the leading professional body for the resource and waste management sector representing around 5,700 individuals in the UK, Ireland and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non-profit making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues. More information can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk
Press contact:
Gemma Smith
Head of marketing and communications
Tel: 01604 823317
E-mail: gemma.smith@ciwm.co.uk