Mail & Guardian Circular Economy - from waste to wealth

By Taahir Hoorzook https://www.mg.co.za

Tue Jun 26, 08:30 - Tue Jun 26, 16:00

Glenhove Conference Centre

ABOUT

Circular economy is a new way of thinking about how the economy works. Instead of being linear, where the products are consumed and are then immediately considered waste, products are designed with their end of life in mind so they can be recycled or repurposed, thus circular. This new way of thinking offers a lifeline to escape a future that is teeming with trash related trouble by innovating businesses to produce more valuable products with longer life spans and little waste.

Circular economy encourages companies to re-think about how goods can be designed, produced and marketed with reuse in mind. There is huge potential in South Africa to create circular economies that generate wealth from waste. When this is achieved, it will have value for the poor and marginalised communities, who will benefit enormously from the jobs created and the businesses established from waste recycling.

Given the importance of a circular economy in promoting wealth generation from waste whilst enhancing socio-economic development and inclusive growth in South Africa, Mail & Guardian (M&G) will host a 1-day event – “Circular Economy: from waste to wealth - Unlocking the potential & value-adding opportunities” on 26 June 2018 in Johannesburg.

For more information, book seat/s and/or group discount, to sponsor, email [email protected] or [email protected] or call Tel: 11 250 7300

AGENDA DISCUSSION

M&G will gather businesses, experts, regulators, government, municipalities, innovators, providers, financiers and consultants at the event. The agenda will be tackled from both demand and supply side perspective, unpacking issues, dealing with challenges, experiences, new strategies and best practices:
  • What are the drivers and levers for change to rethink value creation and the opportunities within the circular economy?
  • Isn’t cost reduction the strongest driver and sustainer for recycling composites?
  • What kind of management systems, innovative business models and waste technologies are required?
  • How do you monetise waste to achieve long term gains?
  • How can manufacturing, agriculture, plastics, packaging, food, apparel, footwear, retail, resale and many other industries successfully re-use or recycle their waste materials into another value-adding product?
  • What is the role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and consumers in transitioning to a circular economy?
  • How can designers, manufacturers and packaging users collaborate to optimise the performance of packaging cost effectively?
  • What is the tool to evaluate cost effective options for recycling, reuse, reduce emissions and other end-of-life recovery option?
  • What are the barriers to the development of green waste management solutions and how strict government regulation will eliminate these?
  • What are the government positioning on biorefining and renewable energy to encourage private sector investment?
  • What are the policies and new technologies for waste treatment and recycling?
  • How will the waste-to-energy option, turning waste into useful energy and bi-products, taking off?
  • Paving way for sustainable waste management solutions – employing reputable waste management providers to ensure responsible and legit disposal
  • Biomimicry - key driver to achieving a circular economy
  • Business advantage – doubling business profitability, ethical stance and positive environmental impact
  • Financing the circular economy –  increasing end of life value will make businesses attractive to financiers
  • Ensuring SA’s circular economy be the lifeline for its mass unemployed whilst contributing towards a more sustainable future

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Businesses from various sectors, regulator, government, municipality, solutions providers, financier:

Sectors
  • Manufacturing
  • Plastics
  • Tyres
  • Bottling
  • Paper & packaging
  • Metal
  • Lighting & electrical
  • Food & beverages
  • Apparel & footwear
  • Agriculture
  • Mining
  • Retail & resale
  • Building & construction
  • Cement & steel
  • Forestry
  • Engineering
  • Energy
  • Waste management
  • Recycling
  • Banking & finance, venture capital
  • Fuel retailer
  • Government, municipality
Responsible in following areas:
  • reduce, reuse and recycle
  • waste management and disposal
  • sustainability
  • clean energy
  • environmental impact and assessment
  • ethical and green living
  • resale
  • waterless cleaning
  • design & innovation
  • funding
  • landfill facilities & engineering
  • environmental sanitation
  • waste generators
  • climate change
  • energy
 

 

SPEAKERS

Speakers confirmed to date include:
  • Sally-Anne Käsner, Co-Founder, African Circular Economy Network, Operations Manager, EcoStandard and Executive Associate, Environmental Management & Sustainability, JG Afrika
  • Nick Mannie, Technical Director, Aurecon
  • Claire Janisch, Biomimicry Expert, Biomimicry SA 
  • Bronwyn Jones, Owner, Bokashi Bran
  • Dr Linda Godfrey, Principal Scientist, CSIR
  • Vuyo Sikwebu, Managing Director, Clariter ZA
  • Mark Gordon, Deputy Director-General, Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa 
  • Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
  • Kishan Singh, Chief Executive Officer, MetPac-SA
  • Belinda Booker, Collections and Training Project Manager, PETCO
  • Douw Steyn, Sustainability Director, Plastics SA
  • Anton Pieterse, Managing Director, RECOR
  • Agripa Munyai, Sustainability Manager, Tetra Pak
  • Shobna Persadh, Corporate Affairs Director, Unilever
  • Bertie Lourens, Chief Executive Officer, WastePlan
Event will be moderated by Michael Avery, Anchor, Classic Business, Classic FM


 

DIRECTIONS

Mail & Guardian Circular Economy - from waste to wealth
Glenhove Conference Centre
52 Glenhove Rd, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
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