Free Series Helps Organizations Understand Aspects of a Circular Economy for Plastics
Ann Arbor, Mich., August 1, 2022 – The Incubation Network , a partnership between The Circulate Initiative and SecondMuse, alongside Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) Asia have developed a no-cost, online video learning series entitled, Circularity Concepts: Exploring Key Drivers of the Plastic Circular Economy. The educational series is designed to bolster awareness and knowledge of new and emerging issues, key policies, and other strategic efforts for implementing sustainable recycling solutions to help organizations meet 2025 circular economy goals with a focus on Southeast Asia and India.
The five-part video series, with downloadable presentations, covers a series of topics to grow understanding of material issues and actions companies might consider to reduce their consumption of plastic or utilize alternative materials and business models moving forward. For example, one topic reviews the current state and use of plastic credits in the region while another looks at reuse and refill strategies – emerging strategies that can support transition towards a more circular economy.
“At a time when there are some projections that ocean plastics will quadruple by 2050, finding solutions to better manage and recover waste plastics is critical to the health of our oceans and communities. The Incubation Network designed this series with the support of The Circulate Initiative to help organizations better understand the latest methods and technologies available to reach sustainability goals as we move toward a circular economy,” said Anne Johnson, Principal and VP, RRS.
“Circularity Concepts will help to open doors for circular economy innovation. Beneath the underbelly of Asia’s plastic waste challenge is a web of complex stakeholder, cultural and social structures that can be incredibly difficult to unpack alone. This is where The Incubation Network comes in, to connect our community of changemakers with learning tools and resources like Circularity Concepts to better identify pain points and map out opportunities for better solutions,” said Simon Baldwin, Global Head of Circularity at SecondMuse.
“The greatest impact comes from an ecosystem approach – corporates, startups, investors, and policymakers working together to develop circular economy solutions. To this end, we recognize the importance of addressing knowledge gaps in the system to facilitate action. Drawing on our subject matter expertise and understanding of the circular plastic value chain, we supported The Incubation Network and RRS Asia in identifying priority topics for Circularity Concepts and sought to showcase the circular economy in action through practical, real-world examples,” said Umesh Madhavan, Research Director at The Circulate Initiative.
CIRCULARITY CONCEPTS MODULES:
Module 1 (16 min.) – Setting the Stage for a Successful Circular Economy: EPR and Policy Developments in Asia takes a look at the role of policy in supporting the development of sustainable recycling systems and how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) plays a significant role in the process.
Module 2 (26 min.) – Bioplastics and Alternative Materials: Evaluating the Role of Bioplastics in the Circular Economy examines the role of bioplastics, a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics, and the key drivers that must work in harmony to realize the benefits of bioplastics as production continues to grow.
Module 3 (29 min.) – Advanced Recycling Technologies and a Circular Economy for Plastics explores how Advanced Recycling Technologies (ARTs) work alongside more traditional mechanical recycling systems and the pros and cons of scaling these technologies both from an environmental and financial standpoint.
Module 4 (38 min.) – Evaluating the Opportunities and Benefits of Reuse & Refill in a Circular Economy discusses the different models of reuse and refill, its benefits, successful business models as well as examples emerging in Asia and beyond.
Module 5 (36 min.) – Plastic Credits: Evaluating the Opportunities and Benefits of Plastic Credits in a Circular Economy explores the challenges faced by companies incorporating the plastic credit system into their own corporate ecosystem and the way plastic credit systems could help or hinder the management of plastics in emerging markets, particularly when it comes to overlaying policy on EPR.
The Circularity Concepts: Exploring Key Drivers of the Plastic Circular Economy modules are now available at https://www.circularityconcepts.org/. To learn more about RRS Asia and The Incubation Network, visit: https://recycle.com/our-services/industries-we-serve/rrs-asia and https://www.incubationnetwork.com.
About RRS
Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, RRS is a sustainability and recycling consulting firm that strives to create a world where resources are managed to maximize economic and social benefit while minimizing environmental harm. The firm has industry professionals, engineers, economists, technical analysts, and communication specialists who share this vision and possess core strengths in materials and recovery, life cycle management, applied sustainable design, and collaborative action development. www.recycle.com.
About The Incubation Network
The Incubation Network is an impact-driven initiative that sources, supports and scales holistic innovative solutions to combat plastic pollution through strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems with a diverse network of key partners.
Part of a highly collaborative community of startups and entrepreneurs, investors, partners and programs, The Incubation Network works together with industry players to tackle key barriers to address plastic leakage and advance a circular economy. This includes sourcing and supporting, to scaling early stage or pre-investment solutions, and connecting compatible ecosystem players to reinforce the value chain in waste management and recycling.
Established in 2019, The Incubation Network is a partnership between non-profit organization, The Circulate Initiative and impact innovation company, SecondMuse.
The Incubation Network is open to interested collaborators, corporations, and mentors, looking to address plastic leakage and advance a circular economy in South & Southeast Asia.
For more information, visit: www.incubationnetwork.com.
About The Circulate Initiative
The Circulate Initiative is a non-profit organization committed to solving the ocean plastic pollution challenge by supporting the incubation of circular, inclusive and investible waste management and recycling systems in South and Southeast Asia. We achieve this by collaborating with key stakeholders across the sector, and by producing insights to support and accelerate investment and scale across the value chain.
Learn more: https://www.thecirculateinitiative.org/
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Media Contact:
Candace Vadnais
Fastlane on behalf of RRS
candace@fastlane.co
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