Ted Talks Daily – How to make sure materials get reused — again and again | Garry Cooper

Intro

In this episode of Ted Talks Daily, Garry Cooper discusses how circular economies can revolutionize the concept of ownership and create a sustainable future for people and the planet. He explores the potential of circular cities, the role of technology, and the importance of smart public policy in driving circularity. Cooper also highlights examples of companies and cities that are already implementing circular economy practices.

Main Takeaways

Transforming Ownership and Reducing Waste

• Circular economies transform the concept of ownership with networks that hold huge promise for people and the planet.
• Circular economies can turn the linear economy into a circular one, where every physical resource finds another use in another life, driving down emissions and creating jobs.

Circular Economy Practices in Cities

• Cities are booming marketplaces of people, companies, products, and materials, but also generate a ton of waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Cities are a prime location for circular economies as they use a large portion of global resources.
• To transition a city’s linear economy to a circular one, three things must be done: build digital infrastructure, create operational infrastructure, and incentivize participation.
• San Francisco and Massachusetts have adopted ordinances and solutions that drive local circularity and reuse.

Companies Driving Circular Loops

• Creeply helps organizations identify and catalog the things they own, reuse them internally when they can, and distribute them to other organizations when they cannot.
• Companies like Gooder, Olio, Queen of Raw, Trove, and Recurate create circular loops for reducing food waste, textiles, apparel, and other branded goods.

Technological Solutions for Circular Cities

• Technology is at the heart of any circular city, with universal internet access and local marketplaces needed.
• Digital platforms like Replay can be used to connect companies with partners to reduce waste.
• A circular city needs more local shipping and delivery companies.

Creating a Sustainable Future

• A circular city could be a thriving economy, creating local jobs and benefiting everyone in the community equally.
• Building just a thousand circular cities by 2040 could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% and get back on track to meet the targets set out in the Paris Accords.

Summary

Transitioning to Circular Economies

Circular economies hold immense potential in transforming the concept of ownership and reducing waste. By creating a circular economy, every physical resource can find another use in another life, driving down emissions and creating jobs. Cities, being major consumers and generators of waste, are ideal locations for implementing circular economies. To transition a city’s linear economy to a circular one, it is essential to build digital and operational infrastructure while incentivizing participation. San Francisco and Massachusetts have already taken steps towards local circularity and reuse through ordinances and solutions.

Driving Circular Loops and Embracing Technology

Companies like Creeply, Gooder, Olio, Queen of Raw, Trove, and Recurate are leading the way in creating circular loops for reducing waste in various sectors such as food, textiles, apparel, and branded goods. Technology plays a crucial role in enabling circular cities, with universal internet access and local marketplaces being essential components. Digital platforms like Replay connect companies with partners to reduce waste, while the presence of more local shipping and delivery companies further enhances circularity.

Achieving a Sustainable Future

The vision of a circular city goes beyond environmental sustainability. It aims to create a thriving economy that benefits everyone in the community equally, generating local jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Building a thousand circular cities by 2040 could have a significant impact, reducing global emissions by over 60% and aligning with the targets set in the Paris Accords.

Conclusion

Garry Cooper’s talk highlights the transformative potential of circular economies and circular cities. By reimagining ownership, embracing technology, and implementing smart public policies, we can create a sustainable future that benefits both people and the planet. The examples of companies and cities already driving circularity serve as inspiration for others to join the movement towards a circular economy.