SAOLA: What's new at Circul'R?
Jules: It's been 5 years since we launched Circul'R, starting with a world tour to meet entrepreneurs interested in the circular economy. For 3 years now, we've transformed this simple project into a real business with real strength in offering solutions. Our mission? To enable organizations and businesses to live in harmony with nature . And what an adventure it's been since!
We have launched innovative programs with companies so that they can drastically reduce their impact on the planet. One of our latest successes is with Eurostar, the train that connects Paris to London. After a year of hard work, we managed to set up the first train in Europe that will no longer use single-use plastic . If this pilot project were replicated on a large scale, 5 million plastic bottles could be avoided each year. And this is just one of the many programs we have launched to reduce the impact of large companies on the planet . The Circul'R team has also grown and it is mainly thanks to its latest members that we are achieving these results. Thank you all!
SAOLA: Great! But now we want more! What are your current projects and where are you at?!
Jules: Recent trends are pushing businesses to move from a linear business model (where you take, make, and dispose of) to a circular model , where you use resources intelligently so that you no longer produce waste. More than ever, businesses need to reinvent their activities, so that they are no longer destructive but regenerative !
Since the beginning of 2020, we've been working with a number of brands to help them change the rules of the game. We're working with the textile industry to give a second life to products that were usually burned or sent to landfill. We're also working on the future of packaging (reusable or compostable) for beverage companies. At the same time, we're helping a great startup design "zero-impact" glasses.
Over the past two years, we have realized that collective environmental awareness has evolved in the right direction and it continues to increase! Which is a good thing. This is a huge opportunity to seize, it is time to change the way our current economic system works. This will move us away from a system that goes against nature to a system that works for it and with it. This philosophy gives us a lot of strength , courage and motivation to continue our adventure at Circul'R.
SAOLA: Are you focused on businesses only or do you have an impact on everyone?
Jules: Good question! This has been one of our main questions in recent years. Should we focus on giving citizens tools to improve their transition to a more environmentally friendly system , or should we focus on businesses, the main polluters?
We realized that many organizations and people were already very involved, such as Zero Waste, Extinction Rebellion, World Clean Up Day, and not forgetting our beloved Greta Thunberg, a true warrior!
As for businesses, we feel we can truly change the way they do responsible business with the help of our young community.
Today, our main goal: transforming large companies.
At the same time, we have a community that is growing every day, with engaged entrepreneurs and passionate people sharing good practices and new ideas with us. These interactions accelerate the transition to a regenerative economy. You can find this community on Facebook: "Circul'R Disruptors." We have more than 1,000 members using collective intelligence for the good of all, and that's wonderful!
SAOLA: Which companies/people inspire you at Circul'R?
Jules: The entrepreneur who has been one of our main sources of inspiration, without a doubt, is Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia. His book "Let My People Go Surfing" was a great help in establishing Circul'R's values and the way we work on a daily basis.
Do you know Patagonia's motto? "We are in business to save the planet."
At Circul'R, this is also our leitmotif.
Our closest partners are doing incredible work to raise awareness about the circular economy! Here are some of them:
- SAOLA, which has gone off the beaten track by designing responsible shoes with a positive impact on the planet.
- Mud Jeans created the first circular jeans, reducing the amount of water needed to make a pair of MJ jeans by 70% compared to conventional jeans.
- Fairphone has designed an ethical and easy-to-repair smartphone
SAOLA: What does it mean to you to be a SAOLA ambassador?
Jules: Being a SAOLA ambassador means being part of a community of environmental activists ! When you talk about the circular economy, which we advocate for every day, you have to show that there are alternatives and concrete examples to the current economic model. Clothing and shoes are our second skin, and we use them every day. These themes can be used to raise awareness about the environmental crisis, especially considering that the textile industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. It's essential to wear shoes that match what you're fighting for. SAOLA allows us to do that. SAOLA shoes are a great way to communicate positively with people about the circular economy and concrete solutions. One of the core values at Circul'R: "explore to inspire." SAOLA also embodies these values.
We need to be constantly on the lookout for new solutions, then we need to test them and learn more.
SAOLA: Thank you! What's on the agenda for spring?!
Jules: We have fun every day at Circul'R, no need to wait for spring. But if we absolutely had to answer this question, without hesitation I would say a hike here and there, or a surf trip with the team!
