The hottest Circular Economy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

Low-carbon tech needs much fewer materials than it used to; this matters for resource extraction in the future

Sustainability by numbers • 364 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Resource Management Circular Economy Renewable Energy
  1. Low-carbon technology is using way fewer materials now than in the past. This means we can reduce the need for new resource extraction in the future.
  2. Many materials from old solar panels and batteries can be recycled more effectively, which could lead to a 'super-circular' economy. This is better than just making one new item from one old item.
  3. Improvements in material efficiency for solar panels and batteries mean that even if we don’t recycle everything perfectly, we can still have enough materials for more new products.

The Future Looks Green: Hemp, Algae, and Ideas for Ecovillages and Cooperative Life

Sunshine and Seedlings: A Newsletter by HydroponicTrash • 511 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Renewable Energy Circular Economy
  1. Plants like hemp and algae have a wide range of uses and can help in creating sustainable communities.
  2. Circular systems can help in stopping waste and regenerating the ecosystem for a better future.
  3. Exploring alternative energy sources like biogas from hemp and algae can provide sustainable solutions to our energy needs.

Moving Beyond Doomism: Data-Driven Strategies for Effective Climate Content

This Week in MCJ (My Climate Journey) • 393 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Data Communication Behavior Circular Economy Psychology
  1. Data-driven decisions are crucial in climate content to engage mainstream audiences effectively.
  2. Promoting self-interest in climate content yields more results than focusing on planetary benefits.
  3. Starting with simple, relatable content and gradually guiding individuals towards impactful actions can drive engagement and awareness.

Sorry, Davos: e-waste is a tragedy, not an opportunity

Fight to Repair • 138 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment E-Waste Right-to-repair Circular Economy Sustainability Recycling
  1. E-waste is a significant problem globally, causing harm to people and ecological systems through pollution, inhumane extraction of raw materials, and other disasters.
  2. The idea pushed by some, like the World Economic Forum, that e-waste can be seen as a financial opportunity and a way to boost the economy is criticized as overlooking the true impact and complexity of the issue.
  3. Repairing electronics rather than constant disposal is highlighted as a more sustainable solution that could lead to a more resilient community, a reduction in repair costs, and the circulation of money locally.

They lie about Plastics. They lie about Fossil Fuel. They'll lie about Anything

Adetokunbo Sees • 208 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Plastics Greenhouse Gas Emissions Recycling Circular Economy
  1. Big Oil companies lie about their plans to zero out greenhouse gas emissions and their efforts to address plastic waste challenges.
  2. Despite making colossal profits, Big Oil companies like Shell, ExxonMobil, and Aramco continue to spread misinformation about their environmental impact.
  3. Developing a circular economy, reducing plastic and private vehicle usage, and holding corporations accountable for lies about recycling and pollution can lead to significant positive changes in addressing climate crises.
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Considerations on The Definition of "Climate Tech"

Warming Up to Climate Tech • 78 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Renewable Energy Circular Economy Venture Capital
  1. Climate tech covers various industries and technologies aiming to fight climate change.
  2. Venture capitalists play a significant role in defining what qualifies as climate tech for investment.
  3. Major investment themes within climate tech include clean energy, food & agriculture, mobility & transport, and circular economy.

Are Bicycles Becoming Less Sustainable?

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Repair Recycling Emissions Circular Economy
  1. Some argue the sustainability of bicycles is decreasing with the introduction of e-bikes and resource-intensive materials, prompting a need to return to simpler designs and materials.
  2. Not all bicycles have the same environmental impact, especially when considering their lifecycle, repairability, and the materials they are made of.
  3. Repairing bicycles is a crucial way to extend their lifespan and combat the disposable culture in the cycling industry, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing repair over constant innovation.

Beni Makes Secondhand Shopping Seamless

Warming Up to Climate Tech • 58 implied HN points • 02 May 23
💼 Business Sustainability E-commerce Circular Economy Fashion Technology
  1. Beni aims to reduce carbon emissions from the clothing industry by making secondhand shopping seamless through a browser extension.
  2. The browser extension targets 'aspirational secondhand shoppers' who understand the value of secondhand but find it time-consuming and inconvenient.
  3. Beni's goal is to transform norms of consumption by making secondhand shopping the new norm and helping to increase the share of circular business models in the fashion industry.

Beware of "Circular Washing"

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
💼 Business Greenwashing Regulation Circular Economy Environmental Impact Consumer Awareness
  1. Companies using the term 'circular' for eco-friendly branding may not always follow through with sustainable practices.
  2. To combat 'circular washing', establishing a clear definition of circularity is essential.
  3. Regulation and accountability are crucial to ensure businesses actually implement environmentally friendly practices.

Boox Delivers Sustainable E-commerce for the Next Generation

Warming Up to Climate Tech • 39 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Circular Economy
  1. Boox supplies reusable packaging to e-commerce brands, aiming to eliminate single-use waste and build a circular economy.
  2. The rise in e-commerce has led to increased packaging waste, making sustainability crucial for brands today.
  3. Boox focuses on reusing before recycling, prioritizing the use of polypropylene boxes and aiming to reach 100% post-consumer content by the end of 2024.

Fight to Repair Daily: Friday October 14, 2022

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 14 Oct 22
🌞 Climate & Environment E-Waste Recycling Circular Economy Right-to-repair Technology
  1. International E-waste Day brings attention to the impact of trashing electronics, especially in countries with high e-waste generation.
  2. The need to focus on the pre-consumer stage and the importance of using recycled materials and completing the circular economy in tech.
  3. Efforts are being made to promote repair-friendly practices, such as Framework introducing a refurbished program to reuse consumer waste.

Why Recycled Plastic Should Give You the Ick.

Green Graphic Design • 19 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Microplastics Pollution Greenwashing Circular Economy
  1. Recycled plastic may not be safe as it can leach BPA and other harmful chemicals.
  2. Plastics absorb toxins from the ocean, making them very difficult to decontaminate.
  3. Most recycled plastics eventually need to be reinforced with virgin plastics due to degradation, reducing the long-term impact on reducing virgin plastic use.

Apple Signals Support for California Right to Repair Bill

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Corporate News Environmental sustainability Circular Economy
  1. Apple, a long opponent of right to repair laws, now supports a California bill. This change supports customer safety and intellectual property.
  2. The support from Apple boosts the chances of California's Right to Repair Act passage. This law would ensure access to repair parts and tools for consumers and third-party providers.
  3. Public support for Right to Repair is growing, with various states passing laws covering electronics and more. Apple's support marks a significant moment in the campaign.

Fight to Repair Weekly: Week of November 14, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 16 Nov 22
🕹 Technology Repair Circular Economy Right-to-repair Electronics Recycling
  1. France is offering cash bonuses to consumers to repair their electronics, leading the way towards a circular economy.
  2. Washington D.C. has launched an interactive map to promote repair, reuse, and second-hand shopping, showing a commitment to reducing waste.
  3. Repair initiatives like these show a shift towards prioritizing sustainability and waste reduction over convenience and consumerism.

Fight to Repair Daily: Wednesday October 12, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 12 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Data Privacy Autonomous Vehicles Circular Economy Cybersecurity Open Source
  1. Stellantis, parent company of Jeep and others, aims to generate over $2 billion in revenue by 2030 through its Circular Economy Business Unit focusing on reman, repair, reuse, and recycle.
  2. The battle over Massachusetts right-to-repair law shows significant disagreements between automakers and the Attorney General regarding key terms, cybersecurity, and data-sharing timelines.
  3. Big agriculture's emphasis on bushels per acre over profits may harm farmers as they overspend on inputs to achieve higher yields, benefiting companies more than the farmers themselves.

Fight to Repair Daily: Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 05 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Repair Circular Economy Sustainability Environmental Activism Innovation
  1. The WIRED GREEN conference highlighted the importance of the right-to-repair movement and the significance of fixing products to reduce waste.
  2. New York's Digital Fair Repair Act aims to make it easier for consumers to repair electronics and may pave the way for similar legislation in other states.
  3. Organizations like Repair Cafes are promoting a more sustainable, circular economy by emphasizing repair and reuse over recycling.

The Subscription Economy Comes For Your Shoes

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 13 Sep 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Circular Economy Sustainable Fashion Emissions Reduction Waste Management Climate justice
  1. The Cloudneo sneakers by 'On' offer a subscription service where customers return old shoes to get new ones, promoting sustainability.
  2. On's model focuses on minimizing waste by using less energy, renting shoes, and recycling old ones, revealing a shift towards environment-friendly practices in fashion.
  3. Supply chain efficiency and compulsory recycling in the Cyclon program play key roles in reducing waste and emissions, showing a step towards sustainable solutions in the consumer culture.

Steering Towards a Low Heat Economy

Anima Mundi • 20 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Efficiency Circular Economy Education & Policy
  1. Steering towards a Low Heat Economy involves understanding the impact of heat emissions from industries and cities on the environment.
  2. To build a Low Heat Economy, we need to focus on using alternative energy sources like solar and wind power to reduce heat emissions.
  3. Adopting circular economy principles and sustainable practices in agriculture are essential steps towards achieving a Low Heat Economy.

The Week in Repair: June 12-17

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 21 Jun 22
🕹 Technology Repair Antitrust Circular Economy Environmental Impact Legislation
  1. Tracking devices reveal that many small appliances returned for repair end up in landfills due to lack of repair advice and available spare parts.
  2. Facebook is revealed to be the sole funder of American Edge Project, an anti-regulatory group fighting against antitrust efforts, with documents showing a $4 million donation.
  3. The Right to Repair movement is gaining traction with proposed bills at state and national levels, aiming to empower consumers, save costs, and reduce e-waste by allowing for repairs and extending the lifespan of electronics.

The Week In Repair: May 22-28

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 31 May 22
🕹 Technology Repair Circular Economy Right-to-repair EVs Open Source
  1. There is pushback on Apple's self service repair program due to the massive repair kit shipped to customers, with critics calling it excessive and expensive.
  2. Deere tractor owners are resorting to hacking due to restrictions on repairs and modifications set by the company, sparking the need for open source projects like Open Source Ecology & Farm Hack.
  3. Nike's new sneaker design embraces the circular economy by creating a disassemblable product to improve recycling rates, offering a more sustainable approach to footwear.

The Week in Repair: Feb 27 - March 5

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 07 Mar 22
🕹 Technology Circular Economy Right-to-repair Sustainability Consumer Rights
  1. Farmers unions petition FTC for action against John Deere's unfair competition practices.
  2. EU lawmakers seek quicker adoption of circular economy practices to reduce environmental impact of resource extraction.
  3. Extended warranties are seen as beneficial for cost-effective repairs, but right to repair initiatives are gaining momentum in ensuring repair options for consumers.

The Week in Repair: Jan 25-Feb 1

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 03 Feb 22
🕹 Technology Repairability Circular Economy Right-to-repair Sustainability Electronics
  1. Germany is introducing a repairability index to encourage companies to build products that are easier to repair, rather than replace.
  2. Legislation like House Bill 1810 and right to repair laws aim to make tech products more durable and repairable, reducing e-waste.
  3. A circular economy approach is needed for electric vehicles, emphasizing reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling to tackle environmental issues.

The Week in Repair: Jan 18-25

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 28 Jan 22
🕹 Technology Consumer Rights Circular Economy Legislation Tech industry
  1. President Biden supports right to repair to give customers more choice in fixing items, from smartphones to tractors, to lower costs and support independent repair shops.
  2. The movement for 'Fixing Factories' is growing in the UK, helping reduce e-waste, save money, and create new job opportunities, such as paid positions through organizations like the Restart Project and Possible.
  3. Various states, countries, and companies are making strides in advocating for right to repair laws and initiatives, such as LG's promise to make home appliance software upgradeable and the proposed EU legislation for consumer right to repair.

Equal's 2022 Climate Wish List

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 01 Feb 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Renewable Energy Circular Economy Climate tech
  1. 2021 saw record climate funding and renewed focus on climate policy, but 2022 is anticipated to be even more promising with new talent, capital, and digital innovations entering the climate tech space.
  2. Key areas of interest in 2022 include empowering the green workforce through software solutions, turning buildings into digital power plants using batteries and EVs, and establishing data connectivity services to manage distributed energy resources effectively.
  3. The shift towards circularity is expected to grow, especially in areas like food, packaging, and materials, driving the need for software solutions that enable businesses to operate more efficiently and sustainably.

Fight to Repair Daily: Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 22 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Repairability Legislation Circular Economy Cybersecurity Right-to-repair
  1. A long-ignored federal law, the Robinson-Patman Act, could help protect small businesses from the market dominance of big players like Amazon and Walmart by prohibiting price discrimination.
  2. Framework Computer is introducing a Chromebook that is fully upgradeable, repairable, and customizable, addressing the right-to-repair movement's concerns over modern laptop design.
  3. NIST is awarding funding to universities to develop educational programs focused on establishing a circular economy for plastics, aiming to reduce plastic waste through reuse, repair, and recycling.

The Week in Repair: Dec 6-12

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 21
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Electronics Environmental Impact Circular Economy
  1. Activists worldwide are pushing for the 'right to repair' movement to combat expensive and environmentally damaging obsolescence of electronics and appliances.
  2. Big companies like John Deere and Facebook are being called out for restricting repair options, while others like Microsoft and iFixit are working to make repair tools more accessible.
  3. Efforts are being made to make products more repairable, reduce e-waste, and shift towards a circular economy model for environmental, financial, and supply chain benefits.

Regenerative Design: Biotic Sustainability

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Ecology Waste Management Circular Economy Resource Management
  1. Sustainable populations need to manage their resources carefully to avoid ecological collapse. When a population grows too large for its environment, it can deplete resources and lead to a collapse.
  2. The circular economy concept aims to recycle resources and manage waste effectively, but it can be challenging due to the laws of thermodynamics. Living systems manage energy and waste in a way that avoids chaos and disorder.
  3. Ecosystems thrive on diversity. Different organisms can fill various roles and niches, helping to maintain balance and sustainability, while human systems often lack this necessary diversity to effectively manage waste.

Sustainability: An Introduction

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Circular Economy Resource Management Environmental Impact Human behavior
  1. Sustainability means creating systems that can last forever, not just using solar panels or wind turbines. It's about how we live and use resources in a way that doesn't deplete them.
  2. The way we consume resources needs to change to match the planet's ability to regenerate them. Ideas like a Circular Economy and Degrowth suggest we can consume smarter and build better without running out of resources.
  3. Caring about sustainability isn’t just about the planet. It’s about people too. Everything we need comes from others, so if we want to take care of ourselves, we should care about how we treat our environment and society.

#22 - Wes Carter | How to Solve Packaging Pollution

Win-Win • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Pollution Recycling Sustainability Circular Economy
  1. Wes Carter believes that turning the packaging industry into a closed-loop economy can help solve ocean pollution. He suggests using new biodegradable materials instead of traditional plastics.
  2. It's important to understand which recycling methods are effective and which aren't. This knowledge can help in making better decisions about waste management.
  3. Companies and consumers need to be motivated to consider the true environmental costs of their choices. This could involve changing how business incentives are structured.