Circular Collaborations

E#8 | In conversation with Jenni Philippe from Aurecon

In the eighth episode, I am delighted to speak to another Frenchy based in Australia: Jenni Philippe.
Jenni is an Associate in the Circular Economy Team at Aurecon, where she is actively enabling circular practices on projects for clients and across the organisation.
This conversation feels very special to me for several reasons. Jenni connects the dots between the circular economy and a regenerative society, starting at an individual level. She also talks about the necessity to start a self development journey as a fundamental pilar to our collective and vital transition. Indeed, she explains why we must truly connect with ourselves if we want to drive change in the world in a regenerative way. 
Besides, Jenni has the brilliant ability to talk strategically, practically, and philosophically about the circular economy.
 
In this episode, we talk about:
the importance of the scale (city, region, etc) to develop a circular economy
how to measure success for businesses outside of time and money; and the importance of overlaying the linear and circular measurement of success
how to engage leaders by starting small
the importance of NOT reinventing the wheel when we start
slowing down to accelerate the transition: not rushing into problem solving but ensuring alignment between all players
Thank you/ Merci Jenni for sharing some practical tips but also some very profound insights. 
 
Learn more about Aurecon.
Learn more about the Regenerative Leadership course Jenni mentioned with Laura Storm. 
 
If you would like to share your collaborative journey related to circularity, email me at podcast@renaissense.com.au
 
Bonne écoute!
 
 
 

E#7 | In conversation with Jules Coignard from Circul’R

For the second episode of this expert series, I invited Jules from Circul’R.
Jules is based in France and has travelled with his friend and business partner, Raphaël to discover circular initiatives all around the world and prove that all the solutions for a sustainable future exist already. After a 17-month trip to 22 countries where they met 150 circular economy startups, they returned to France to launch the social enterprise Circul'R in 2017. Since then, they have been supporting organisations across the private and public sectors in 3 ways: training, consulting, and connecting people to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy.
 
In this episode we talk about:
The 4 different stages of business maturity on the circular journey
Raising awareness one mind at a time
The strong need for some more infrastructure to manage the reverse logistics implied by the circular economy
Some examples of leaders who have changed their mind about the circular economy
The key element for a circular economy: shifting our short term mindset to a long term one
The concept of coopetition - cooperating with a competitor to achieve a common goal or get ahead and how it exists already in nature
 
“The circular economy pioneers of today are going to be the leaders of tomorrow”
 
Thank you/ Merci Jules for sharing your genuine anecdotes, stories and insights. Also thank you for walking the talk when it comes to collaboration, it’s very refreshing and inspiring.
 
Learn more about Circul’R
If you would like to share your collaborative journey related to circularity, email me at podcast@renaissense.com.au
 
Bonne écoute!

E#6 | In conversation with Justine Laurent from Circulab

This series is focused on the experts of the circular economy and I am very pleased to kick it off with Justine Laurent from Circulab.
Justine is based in France and she is the Managing Director of Circulab - a strategy and design agency dedicated to the circular and regenerative economy.
Justine is one of the key experts in the space of circularity in France by:
- Supporting the Circulab's clients in shifting toward a circular business model.
- Teaching future leaders on innovation and circular economy at universities and business schools
- Leading and developing the Circulab community, a network of +70 experts, consultants, designers and Circulab certified teachers, in France and internationally (+25 countries)
 
I have learnt a lot from her thanks to her strong vision for circularity and to her broad perspective on where various industries are at on the journey. 
 
In this episode we talk about:
- how the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy is pushing various industries to reduce their impact
- how embarking stakeholders from day 1 is absolutely key to support the journey
- how important it is to look outside your current industry to find solutions- starting with understanding how your business works and how things are interdependent rather than jumping onto a Life Cycle Assessment- going back to your purpose, why your organisation exists in the first place- digging to the root cause of a waste problem and exploring the initial need you are adressing with your business
 
Thank you/ Merci Justine for sharing your insights and experience with passion and determination!
 
Learn more about Circulab
If you would like to share your collaborative journey related to circularity, email me at podcast@renaissense.com.au
 
À bientôt!

Trailer Season 2 - In conversation with the experts of the circular economy

New season... new guests and new format! 
In the second season I interview experts of the circular economy to get their views on where we are at with our collective transition towards the circular economy. 
 
We talk about regeneration, systems, leadership, trust and much more: stay tuned!
 
If you would like to share your journey related to circularity, email me at podcast@renaissense.com.au
 
 

E#5 | Circularity & regenerative agriculture

In this fifth episode, I am very honoured to interview Simon Schulz, dairy farmer and entrepreneur. As he likes to say, Simon is a third generation Schulz with milk running through his veins!
As a huge fan of the Schulz's glass bottle and an advocate for the circular economy, I contacted Simon as soon as I got the idea to create the Circular Collaborations podcast. I wanted to interview the people behind the most circular products that I consume regularly. 
I loved Simon's innovative mindset, how he travels to learn from other industries and get inspired to return and experiment to make his business more and more circular.  
 
In this episode we talk about:
- How Joost Bakker has been a true inspiration for Simon
- Simon's vision for a regenerative world
- How to run a program that is completely new, unheard in Australia
- Sharing the purpose and the vision from day one to embark the teams on the journey
- Partnering with like-minded retailers to make everything else easier
- Consumption, Christmas and our relationship with time
 
Thank you/Merci Simon for sharing your convictions and leading the way towards circularity. 
 
Discover more about SCHULZ ORGANIC DAIRY.
If you would like to share your collaborative journey related to circularity, email me at podcast@renaissense.com.au
 

E#4 | The complex world of packaging, recyclability and circularity

This fourth episode has been a great opportunity for me to learn about packaging. I often believe we would be better off with less packaging. I also want to stay curious to learn and to add more nuances while forming my opinions.
Indeed, I learnt heaps thanks to Vincent Mooij, Director of CIRCPACK. I feel like this episode is a mini masterclass about packaging!
 
In the episode we talk about:
How some small changes can impact the whole production line but also the whole recyclability of the packaging
How to make your packaging more truly recyclable looking at alternatives
The power of pledges to get organisations to commit to improve
Systemic change and the importance of industry alignment and initiatives
The need for more legislation as well as clearer and harmonised legislation across countries
Thank you/Merci Vincent for your pragmatism and your sincerity.
Discover more about CIRCPACK
If you would like to share your collaborative journey related to circularity, email me at podcast@renaissense.com.au

E#3 | A circular (r)evolution in the textile industry in Portugal

In this third episode, you will find out how a small brand can influence the local textile industry to change its way of operating - from linear to circular.
Cristiana, founder, and designer at Näz goes through the challenges and opportunities to influence the local textile industry, using design to change people's perception of recycled fabrics while creating a social & economic impact in her local region, in Portugal.
In the episode we talk about:
how social & environmental impacts are intrinsically connected
rethinking the fashion industry with a pragmatic and circular mindset
changing people’s perception on recycled fibres using #design
influencing partners in the supply chain while creating new business opportunities for the traditional textile industry in Portugal
the power of humility to learn from others and collaborate
👁Some slow fashion brands like Näz are working hard to change the way our clothes are made and the impact they have on people and our natural environment.
This is another very strong and positive signal for our collective transition towards a circular economy.
Thank you/Merci Cristiana for your authenticity, your passion and for helping all of us imagine the future of fashion!
Discover more about Näz.
If you would like to share your journey related to circularity, email me at podcast@renaissense.com.au

E#2 | When a start-up transforms a large organisation to move towards circularity

This second episode is a great opportunity to explore how a pioneer of the circular economy is influencing a large organisation to change its way of operating - from linear to circular.
Manutan is a multi-channels distributor of office and industrial equipment including 2,200 people operating in 27 subsidiaries across 17 European countries. At the beginning of 2022, Manutan acquired 80% of the shares in French startup ZACK, as part of its ambitions to make the circular economy a focal part of its business model. ZACK is an expert in giving electronic products a second lease of life. Pierre-Emmanuel Saint Esprit, co founder of Zack goes through the challenges and opportunities to influence a large organisation like Manutan from within.
In the episode we talk about:
- developing and testing a new business model for the circular economy
- creating new opportunities for the second hand market
- training sales teams to sell second hand products
- cultivating joy and creating desire as a force for change
- curiosity, learning from the others
The fact that a large organisation like Manutan decided to leverage on Zack's expertise to challenge their business model is a very strong and positive signal for our collective transition towards a circular economy.
What if your office equipment and devices would be second hand?
Thank you/Merci Pierre-Emmanuel for helping all of us imagine the future of business in general and office equipment in particular!

E#1 | Radical collaboration for a circular economy

This first episode sets the standards for my future conversations: genuine, authentic and pragmatic.
In fact, I could not have been able to imagine a better guest for the first episode of the Circular Collaboration podcast: Aidan Mullan, Sustainability Manager at Interface.
Interface is a commercial flooring manufacturer and a global leader in sustainability. I discovered Interface 5 years ago when I had the opportunity to visit one of their factories in Sydney as part of a sustainability training. I was blown away by their leadership and level of maturity in this space. To find out more about Interface's inspiring journey, I recommend to watch Beyond Zero by independent documentary maker Nathan Harvey.
In this episode, we talk about reducing waste using bio mimetic design, collaborating with competitors, educating employees and stakeholders, closing the loop, reverse logistics, relationship building and competitiveness.
3 quotes from the episode:
1. 'Think circular and focus on the economy. It has to make good business sense, it will not work unless you collaborate with the key players in your supply chain to ensure all see a benefit.'
2. 'We can’t use the circular economy as a point of difference to gain market shares. A circular model should apply to everyone within our industry.'
3. 'The main skill is relationship building throughout the supply chain, understanding that we all depend on each other'
Thank you/merci Aidan!
If you would like to share your journey related to circularity, email me at podcast@renaissense.com.au

Trailer - Why a podcast about the circular economy and collaboration?

A short episode to introduce the podcast, and a little bit about me.