How circular economy acts as an enabler to build sustainable societies

In this episode of Decoding Innovation, Keiran Smith, CEO and co-founder of Mr. Green Africa, discusses circular economy and how technology is changing the way plastic is recycled worldwide.

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Sustainability has been of key focus in modern day living. Circular economy plays a key role in achieving sustainability by reaching maximum input efficiency using minimal resources, as well as reducing waste production. The regenerative economic system aims to achieve sustainability without diminishing existing products but to churn the “waste” into something useful via systematic shifts.

By extending the life of products, especially plastic, the natural capital that goes into recycling can be reduced. The life of plastic products can be extended by bringing in a loop of reuse, repair and remanufacturing products. Circular economy involves a clear distinction between technological and biological cycles that aims to rebuild all types of capital.

Keiran Smith is a disruptive innovator in the recycling space. The CEO and co-founder of Mr. Green Africa shares his insight on the right combinations and necessary understanding needed to implement circular economy for plastic recycling, and how 

Key takeaways:

  • Circular economy holds a key role in building sustainable societies and can lead to increased efficiencies using minimal input resources and a connected ecosystem of capital.
  • Awareness and technology are the biggest hurdles faced in plastic recycling that need immediate addressing.
  • Connecting a commercial model with a sustainable, social-friendly model is the way to go for recycling plastic worldwide.
  • Partnership element plays a key role in successful implementations of plastic recycling based on the circular economy approach.

For your convenience, full text transcript of this podcast is also available. Read the transcript.

Presenters

Photographic portrait of Keiran Smith
Keiran Smith
CEO and Co-Founder, Mr. Green Africa

Podcast

Episode 18

Duration 39m 00s

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In this series

Series overview
(Event List - Manual)

How circular economy acts as an enabler to build sustainable societies

In this episode of Decoding Innovation, Keiran Smith, CEO and co-founder of Mr. Green Africa, discusses circular economy and how technology is changing the way plastic is recycled worldwide.
Podcast

Episode 18

Duration
39m 00s

Presenters

Keiran Smith

CEO and Co-Founder, Mr. Green Africa

Why a mindset shift matters for implementing circular economy

In this episode of the Decoding innovation podcast series, Helen Burdett, Head of Technology Strategy at the World Economic Forum, talks about circular economy as a vision for the future.
Podcast

Episode 17

Duration
29m 00s

Presenters

Helen Burdett

Head, Technology Strategy, World Economic Forum

How one startup is progressing toward commercialized nuclear fusion

In this episode of Decoding Innovation, Scott Krisiloff shares Helion Energy’s journey so far in creating electricity from nuclear fusion and the subsequent plans to commercialize this form of energy.
Podcast

Episode 16

Duration
24m 51s

How high-pressure water stored underground may reshape energy storage

In this episode of the Decoding Innovation podcast, Quidnet Energy CEO Joe Zhou discusses the use of innovative geomechanical methods and its impact on the global energy industry.
Podcast

Episode 15

Duration
25m 56s

How the metaverse is planning to augment reality — not replace it

In this episode of the Decoding innovation podcast series, Mathieu Nouzareth explains how a community-driven platform is shaping the future of the metaverse.
Podcast

Episode 14

Duration
25m 44s

What Industry 4.0 is all about: the progression from 1.0 to 4.0

In this episode of the Decoding innovation podcast series, Ajay Khaladkar discusses how the institute is helping companies transition to Industry 4.0.
Podcast

Episode 13

Duration
32m 47s

How Z-pinch could be the way ahead for fusion and clean energy

In this episode of the Decoding Innovation podcast series, Ryan Umstattd, VP of Product Development at Zap Energy, talks about the future of clean energy production through efficient fusion techniques.
Podcast

Episode 12

Duration
41m 23s

Why advanced nuclear energy should be part of the climate solution

In this episode of the Decoding Innovation podcast, Judi Greenwald, the Executive Director of Nuclear Innovation Alliance, shares her journey and insights on advanced nuclear power.
Podcast

Episode 8

Duration
57m 16s

Presenters

Judi Greenwald

Executive Director, Nuclear Innovation Alliance