Inclusive Circular Cities: A Remedy for the World

Session Description 

There are no good solutions in a bad system. What if authentic and meaningful social improvement and strong economic performance were not mutually exclusive but could truly align in practice? Upstream & regenerative circular economy platforms are not new, they've just never been prioritized in the modern take-make-waste economy. The Circular Economy is not just about shiny new PaaS businesses but also about celebrating, empowering, and growing businesses like tailors, shoe repair, pawn shops, and electronics repair. Yet for many, the circular economy and circular cities remain abstract, a luxury, or otherwise inaccessible for many residents. How can the circular economy create real value for marginalized communities? This session focuses on how companies, institutions, and nonprofits when properly motivated by a common theory of change can unlock good at scale and be a critical platform helping humanity live within the planetary boundaries.

Session Panelists:

• Garry Cooper, CEO, Rheaply
• Eva Gladek, CEO, Metabolic 
• Viven Luk, ED, Work/First Mile
• Peter Perrault, Director and Head of Circular Economy, Enel North America

Moderator: John Holm, PYXERA Global

Key Participant Learning Outcomes

• Gain perspective on the roadblocks that cities are facing in financing the circular city transition
• Get a keen understanding of why recycling and resource recovery is not enough and how a regenerative and inclusive circular economy can solve many of humanity’s most pressing issues
• Capture key insights on the role that policy and procurement play in the transition to regenerative and inclusive city
• Provide real-time success stories of cities creating an enabling environment for upstream circular businesses
• Learn about funding models that cities can employ to enable a circular city transition
• Gain specific context on the role that multi-stakeholders play in leading the circular city transition