John Murrow | Interim Executive Director, Plant Chicago our mission To develop circular economies of food production, energy conservation and material reuse, while empowering people of all backgrounds to make their cities healthier and more efficient. What is a Circular Economy? In a circular economy, conventional waste streams from one process are repurposed as inputs for another, creating a circular, closed-loop model of material reuse. John Murrow | Interim Executive Director, Plant Chicago There is no established definition of a circular economy. This is how Plant Chicago is currently defining it, which is partially a result of the space we operate in.

John Murrow | Interim Executive Director, Plant Chicago What is the circular economy? John Murrow | Interim Executive Director, Plant Chicago Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The “outline of a circular economy”: details biological and technical nutrient cycles. We are probably all familiar with this slide. It’s a testament to the power of a compelling diagram or illustration.  

Rethinking vocabulary in a circular economy We become “users” not “consumers” Redefining “waste”. Waste is an opportunity! Biological and technical “nutrients” CE is “regenerative” or “restorative” by design The many R’s (reduce), reuse, refurbish, remanufacture, recycle. Materials, nutrients, molecules… whatever you call it... it’s not waste! Down – materials considered lower quality, up – higher quality, Refurbish: common failures, upgrades in components (computer example would be to upgrade the hard drive instead of replacing the entire computer) RE-manufacture: The 5 R’s are “Cascading” uses – repurposing materials at the end of life Repurpose,

Key principles of our local circular economy Renewable energy is requirement! “Waste” is minimized, either in materials or energy Product economy moves towards a service economy Fast moving goods (high volume and frequent purchases) should be biologically based and safe to return to the environment Economic growth without using “new” materials or nutrients Shared economic success Equitable economic success The overarching goal is to decouple economic growth from infinite resource consumption. 1) Renewable energy is a distinguishing element from Industrial Symbiosis. 2a) Sourcing and growing local is a important way minimized energy and materials, especially for small businesses. 2b) CE isn’t just about materials, but also energy. Minimizing waste can involve making a process more efficient, or by minimizing the amount of material or energy that goes into the process in the first place. 3) Service economy means less personal ownership of stuff. Product economy to service becomes challenging when your product is food. But there are opportunities with co-located businesses, especially in terms of tools, supplies, or infrastructure like refrigeration. 4) Fast moving goods include food, packaging, textiles. Any product that isn’t meant to last for months. Contrasted with durable goods. 5) “The best natural resource the one that has already been extracted” 6) There is no economy unless businesses are making money! 7) CE tends to focus on materials and money, with little talk of equity. It is possible to design a system where only a few have wealth.

The limitations of a circular economy Creating a “regenerative” economy has to take into account those aspects of society that are not easily monetized. Equity Open space Meeting community needs Meeting ecosystem needs When we talk of “regenerative” or “restorative” actions, we have to keep in mind those actions and activities that are not monetized.

Three examples in a local circular economy Technology example: Anaerobic Digestion AD is renewable energy, and recaptures nutrients that would otherwise go to the landfill. Beekeeping as a service solves two problems: the high cost of honey, less ownership, and meets ecosystem needs Packaging that is biologically based is safe to return to the environment; contrast with plastic.

The Plant is a collaborative community of food businesses all focused on reusing waste. There are currently over 15 different food producing businesses operating out of The Plant. Bubbly Dynamics purchased the building in 2010 + the project has been growing ever since. Bakery: ash  lye Brewery: spent grain  livestock feed, growing medium, bread, biobricks Coffee roaster: chaff  growing medium, biobricks Mushroom farm: straw  bulking agent, mulch Shrimp/aquaponics farm: poop  nutrients for algae Algae  Fish feed Greens/produce: excess organic material  compost Kombucha: SCOBY  other consumables? Spices: packaging material  mushrooms? Ice: water  indoor or outdoor agriculture use? Current and potential “waste” loops between businesses in The Plant community. Water  cistern or reuse in another Heat  greenhouse Carbon Dioxide  greenhouse Organic waste  biogas/electricity

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