Ted Talks Daily – Why are we making pizza boxes out of endangered trees? | Nicole Rycroft

Intro

In this episode of Ted Talks Daily, Nicole Rycroft discusses the urgent need to shift away from destructive production systems and protect our planet. She explores game-changing solutions and the role of market conditions in driving change.

Main Takeaways

Creating Market Conditions for Change

• Canopy works with the forest industry’s largest customers to eliminate the use of ancient and endangered forest fiber.
• The CEOs of major suppliers in the industry can drive ambitious levels of change through their influence.
• Brands demanding change from their suppliers can drive supply chain transformation.
• Market pull for low carbon alternatives creates a value proposition for conventional producers to change business practices.

Shifting to Circular Feedstocks

• Game-changing solutions exist that use 90% less water and 50% less energy, but lack of financing and markets limits their scale.
• The shift to more circular feedstocks, such as discarded clothing and agricultural residues, can replace tree fiber.
• Renewcell’s next-gen mill, which uses old clothes instead of cutting down forests, is a promising example.

Summary

Creating Market Conditions for Change

Nicole Rycroft emphasizes the importance of creating market conditions that drive change in the forest industry. Canopy, an organization she works with, collaborates with major customers to eliminate the use of ancient and endangered forest fiber. By engaging CEOs of supplier companies, who hold significant influence, Canopy aims to unlock ambitious levels of change. Additionally, Rycroft highlights the role of brands in demanding change from their suppliers, which can lead to supply chain transformation. The market pull for low carbon alternatives also provides a value proposition for conventional producers to adopt more sustainable practices.

Shifting to Circular Feedstocks

Rycroft discusses the need to shift to circular feedstocks as a sustainable alternative to tree fiber. While game-changing solutions that require less water and energy exist, their scalability is hindered by limited financing and markets. By utilizing discarded clothing and agricultural residues, the industry can reduce its reliance on cutting down forests. Rycroft highlights Renewcell’s next-gen mill as a remarkable example of using old clothes instead of trees, and anticipates the establishment of hundreds of similar mills by 2030.

Conclusion

Nicole Rycroft’s talk highlights the urgent need to overhaul industrial systems and live within the natural bounds of our planet. By creating market conditions for change and shifting to circular feedstocks, we can protect endangered forests and promote sustainable practices. It is essential for brands, suppliers, investors, and innovators to collaborate and scale climate-resilient supply chains. Together, we can drive the transformation needed to build a more sustainable future.