FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Circular Philadelphia Launches to Bring a New, Waste-Free Economy to Philadelphia
New organization formed by local waste experts, including Philadelphia’s former Zero Waste and Litter Director, to transform the broken recycling system.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – As residents grow frustrated about Philadelphia’s broken recycling, local industry experts are launching a new organization to transform the local waste system. Circular Philadelphia is a new organization focused on jumpstarting a thriving circular economy in the greater Philadelphia region through market transformation, smart policy advocacy, collaboration and outreach.
Circular Philadelphia is hosting an invitation-only outdoor launch event on June 14, 2021 (rain date June 21) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sunflower Philly located at 1725 N 5th St in North Philadelphia. Members of the press are invited to come at 5:30 p.m. to learn about the organization and mission.
Circular Philadelphia is the first local organization to convene Philadelphia stakeholders of the growing global circular economy movement. The circular economy transforms economic systems from the 20th century industrial “take-make-waste” model to a circular system that eliminates waste. Materials are used in a continuous loop that regenerates natural systems. The organization is founded by Nic Esposito, Philadelphia’s former Zero Waste and Litter Director, Samantha Wittchen, Principal of environmental sustainability consultancy iSpring, and Julie Hancher, Co-Founder and Editor of Green Philly.
Find out more at www.circularphiladelphia.org.
“Circular Philadelphia will bring together Philadelphia policymakers, businesses, manufacturers, institutions and residents to overcome roadblocks and create the right market conditions for an equitable, circular economy that leaves no one behind,” says Esposito.
Planned event speakers include At-large Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Chair of the Committee on the Environment, Munish Narula and Marianne Kelly of Tiffin, as well as Founders Esposito and Wittchen. Confirmed attendees include leaders from Philadelphia’s waste, recycling and sustainability fields, including “Ya Fav Trashman” Terrill Haigler and Philadelphia’s Smart City Director, Emily Yates.
“Creating a circular economy can help us build an equitable and climate resilient Philadelphia,” said Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson (at-Large). “By investing in innovative waste management practices, we can create more jobs and businesses and address a major source of carbon emissions. I’m thrilled to see local experts coming together to identify solutions to implement circular strategies in our city, and I look forward to our continued work together.”
The event will introduce Circular Philadelphia and outline how the organization intends to make the circular economy work in Philadelphia and beyond.
“We don’t plan to sit around and talk about how great a circular economy would be,” says Wittchen. “Our job is to eliminate friction in implementing a circular system and to spur real action when it comes to making lasting structural changes.”
“Residents understand that recycling is broken. But we can’t just fix recycling. Recycling is part of a larger system that involves all parties from business to government to individuals,” says Hancher. “Circular Philadelphia can be the convener of the parties in the solution and be an important part of reducing litter.”
About Circular Philadelphia
Circular Philadelphia drives a thriving circular economy in the greater Philadelphia region through advocacy, infrastructure development, market transformation, and education. By promoting smart policy, innovation, and action, Circular Philadelphia aims to transform Philadelphia’s linear economy to an efficient and resilient circular economy of the future. Founded in April 2021 in response to supply chain, waste, and resource management flaws exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Circular Philadelphia brings together experts, investment, and cutting-edge research to generate the policy and market conditions necessary for the circular economy to thrive.
Thank you to our launch event partners, Sunflower Philly and Human Robot!
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PRESS CONTACT:
Julie Hancher
Phone: 610-368-8061
julie@circularphiladelphia.org
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