2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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,

5. 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.

6. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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 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