The circular economy
Changing the patterns of production and consumption.
With the growing debate on how we decouple economic activity from unsustainable patterns of resource consumption, our 22nd annual Investor Day explored the role of investors, companies and policymakers in promoting a more circular economy.
At our event this year, on the theme of the ‘circular economy’, our expert speakers offered their insight into the scale of the problem represented by the current ‘take, make, dispose’ economic model, while sharing their thoughts on how a shift away from a linear economy is possible.
We are witnessing a step change in public attitudes towards sustainability and the environment. There is a growing awareness of the need for us all to take personal responsibility for the preservation of our world, and of the urgency with which we must act.
Following our 2019 Investor Day, we asked members of the Rathbone Greenbank team to share their views on what we, as consumers and citizens, can do to promote a more circular economy.
Sophie Mather, material futurist, biov8tion Ltd, reflects on the challenges facing the clothing industry, and how circular economy principles can deliver benefits for society, the economy and planet.
Julie Hill, chair of WRAP, answers a series of questions on the circular economy. Julie explains the need for us to transfer away from a linear economy, and live within ‘environmental limits’.
Mickey Howard, Professor of Supply Management, University of Exeter Business School, reflects on his research into the benefits of a circular economy.
Alex Manisty, group head of strategy, DS Smith, explains how rethinking packaging design can contribute to more sustainable patterns of resource consumption.
Rathbone Greenbank’s 22nd annual Investor Day brought together over 140 guests to hear our expert speakers discuss the concept of the ‘circular economy’.
Innovation in the design and manufacture of electronic products and devices has resulted in greatly expanded access and brought about benefits for society that were inconceivable only a few decades ago.
Packaging serves a range of purposes. When designed well, it protects goods across increasingly long supply chains and can extend the life of food and beverage products, helping to minimise wastage, while also offering protection against contamination.
Fast fashion describes the increasingly rapid movement of designer-inspired clothing from the catwalk to the mainstream consumer at affordable prices.
The traditional 'take-make-dispose' economic model of production and consumption is inherently problematic. It is heavily dependent on the use of finite resources to satisfy increasing demand for products, leading to production methods and consumer habits that exacerbate problems of resource waste and environmental pollution.
