On the fourth day of the Schmidt-MacArthur Fellowship Summer School, Ellen MacArthur delivered a speech reinforcing the need for the transition to a circular economy.
Known for breaking the world record for the sailing solo around the world in 2005, MacArthur has also set up the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which works alongside the Schmidt Family Foundation in America to run the Schmidt-MacArthur Fellowship Summer School, which finishes today (27 June).
This year, the school is being held at Cranfield University, Bedforshire, and invited postgraduate students and academic mentors from 10 universities to discuss the transition to a circular economy.
During her speech, MacArthur commented: "Innovative businesses working to scale their circular economy practices are actively looking for new knowledge, research and future leaders equipped with a set of different skills. Cranfield's rapid progress in this area demonstrates that there is a need but also a great opportunity for forward thinking universities to engage with the circular economy, and help provide the solutions to world-changing industrial challenges."
She continued to speak of the importanceof the circular economy model in offering an opportunity to ‘harness innovation and creativity to enable a positive, restorative economy’.
Summer School details
During the week-long, intensive event, students and academics have had the opportunity to be involved in a series of specialist seminars on the ‘Biological Cycle of the Circular Economy’ aimed to present ‘the challenges and opportunities of moving towards a bio-based economy with detailed insights into fields such as anaerobic digestion and biofuels’.
Activities included considering the business case for a circular economy through discussions and talks led by members of the foundation’s business programme, CE100, and the opportunity to attend the CE100 Annual Summit London (25 June).
The summit was split into three sessions, which were:
- leading company innovations for a circular economy;
- big issues and opportunities for the circular economy – finance, energy, water and Asia; and
- future design and manufacturing.
Fellows have also had the opportunity to take part in the summer school challenge, which this year focused on ‘broken cities and ways to help regenerate them within a circular economy framework’.
Read more about the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Get our weekly digest
resource.co article ai
How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.