What are the leading trends and innovations in the world of circular fashion, and what will it take to bring these strategies to scale?

It’s no secret that the fashion industry has an environmental problem: The global fashion industry accounts for 10 percent of global carbon emissions, 20 percent of wastewater and relies on 98 million tons of non-renewable resources each year. And this is to say nothing of the dwindling life cycle of clothing and the resulting waste of more than 10 million tons of textile waste each year in U.S. landfills alone. The need for urgent action is clear. 

Fashion is ripe for a redesign, and applying circular principles to every phase of a garment’s lifespan has the power to revitalize and reimagine the industry as we know it. Revised design principles and new business models — like resale, rental, and repair — can extend product life and redefine ownership. Technological breakthroughs can enable new textiles made from recycled materials and biological sources. Redesigned recycling systems, manufacturing processes and supply chain flows can reduce inefficiencies and prioritize sustainable solutions. 

This half-day tutorial will follow a garment’s trajectory from sourcing and design to the business model within which it’s sold to its end of life management, uncovering leading circular solutions along the way. Bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders from across the apparel value chain, together we’ll explore what it will take to redesign the apparel industry of today. 

How can tracking and traceability enable a more circular system, and how should your company leverage these technologies?
There is a growing number of tools and innovations to help companies track materials, goods and services. These technologies include RFID, QR codes, IoT, watermarks and blockchain, and enable a host of benefits: more transparent supply chains; simplified take-back and reverse logistics; a frictionless user experience; and more efficient management of materials and products at the end of their useful life. Is the wide-spread adoption of these technologies key to an effective circular economy, and if so what value can they unlock for your company, customers and the planet? Join this session to hear from practitioners leveraging these technologies to build more circular, sustainable ecosystems for their products.

And what can MRFs teach you about aligning your packaging strategy with recycling infrastructure? 

Materials recovery facilities, known as MRFs, are taken for granted. This critical infrastructure is a cornerstone of a circular economy for packaging, ensuring materials from residential and commercial recycling programs are sorted and sold as commodities — but only if packaging producers, brands, retailers and consumers set them up for success. It’s time to meet your MRF for a behind-the-scenes look at these facilities. 

MRF operators from across the country will share how MRFs work today, including the latest technological innovations in sorting, regional and facility-specific differences; why facilities can and can’t adjust to changes in the packaging landscape; and what other value chain partners need to know about recyclability in residential programs. Come with your questions to better understand the system that your packaging and products are entering into — and what steps you can take to enable your products and packages return back to the economy.

What will it take to advance circular innovation and collaboration, and what funding mechanisms exist to advance the circular economy transition? 

The future may be circular, but how do we get there? The answer: innovation and collaboration across the ecosystem — and it’s time to reconsider the role of startups in the broader circular ecosystem. This panel will highlight the power that can be unlocked by connecting global organizations that are seeking circular innovation with disruptors seeking to scale their solutions. You will hear from companies creating new mechanisms to fund innovation, and from representatives of cross-industry partnerships that are collaboratively funding cutting-edge circular economy solutions. Learn about the challenges and opportunities related to financing the transition to the circular economy, and the role you can play in funding or scaling circular economy startups.

What policy levers are at play across the United States, and what tactical implications should they have on your packaging strategy?  

In Maine, California and other states between them, proposed and enacted policies are leveraging extended producer responsibility (EPR), deposit return schemes (DRS) and post consumer recycled content (PCR) minimums, amongst a slew of other policy levers. These policies could improve our recycling infrastructure and make packaging more sustainable within the United States, but with shifting verbiage and unique framing from bill to bill, understanding their implications can be challenging. Join this session to deep dive into the most prominent packaging policy levers at play in the United States.

How can major foodservice and retail companies overcome food waste reduction roadblocks?

The movement to address food loss and waste is going mainstream. With increased investment across the food chain and sweeping commitments by large players such as Sodexo and Walmart, momentum is at an all-time high. How can we ensure that today’s ambitious corporate commitments and investment agendas have a material impact? What role can your organization play in advancing progress?

In this interactive workshop, you will connect with other organizations, investors and businesses shaping a waste-free food future to strategize on deconstructing food waste roadblocks. Experts from Walmart, Sodexo and ReFED will explore key food waste and loss solutions trends, dive deep into two case studies and activate the group’s collective problem-solving skills. Walk away with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities and forge new connections to follow through on food waste action.