Faced with the climate emergency which is emerging more and more each day, companies are seeing their business models no longer respond to new contemporary challenges.
Thus, more and more people are trying to turn to a new model: the circular economy.
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY CIRCULAR ECONOMY?
It is an economic system dedicated to efficiency and sustainability that minimizes waste by optimizing the value generated by resources.
Instead of thinking linearly according to the old triptych “produce, use and throw away”, we think about the ecological impact at each phase of the product's evolution.
The goal is not only to create a loop for the product but above all a loop short
(example: we will always prefer the maintenance of a broken product to the manufacture of a new one).
BUT DOES THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY REALLY CREATE VALUE?
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the answer is unequivocal. Not only would the adoption of a circular economy have positive environmental effects but also on our economy.
It would “generate a net profit of 1,800 billion euros by 2030 [1], i.e. 900 billion euros more [1] that by following the current path of linear development, thanks to a reduction in production costs and a more efficient use of primary materials, a strong potential for job creation and innovation which drives economic growth.
As for climate effects, some figures show the strong potential of the circular model: division by 2 [1] carbon dioxide emissions from current levels and reduction in consumption of primary resources 32% by 2030 [1] and 53% by 2050 [1].
All the opportunities arising from a circular economy concern the economy and the environment, but also and above all impact businesses, employees and citizens.
INNOVATION AT THE SERVICE OF THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY?
At this point, a question remains: how to make this circular transition?
Innovation must be at the heart of business strategy and thinking. Today, more and more companies are innovating to move towards a more circular economy. Let's take the example of the company O'Right.
In 2011, O'right launched the world's first carbon neutral shampoo. The bottle's vial is made from a material 100% biodegradable with a coffee bean incorporated into the bottom of the shampoo bottle. The seed can then germinate and become a tree after the bottle breaks into the ground and becomes compost [2].
On the other hand, innovating is only a small step towards a more sustainable model. It is necessary to analyze all of the actions carried out during value creation to create a real circular transformation.
HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN YOUR BUSINESS?
In order to transform your company's business model to adopt circularity, you must think not only about the company's actions but also those of all the players revolving around it.
Indeed, the company is not the only one responsible for the carbon footprint of its product. Its consumer, in many cases, has a great responsibility for its use (example: approximately 95% of the carbon footprint of a bottle of ecological shampoo lies in the user's water consumption) and for its purpose. of life (recycling).
Therefore, it is essential to have an approach systemic when implementing a new circular model by analyzing its suppliers, its partners, the extraction of raw materials, the consumer experience and the end of life of its products.
ACTIONS TAKEN AT FLYCUP
At Flycup, we innovate every day and build partnerships in a sustainable way to enable us to implement, on our scale, a circular economy.
Resources
We use recycled materials from PEFC and FSC certified forests (sustainably managed).
These certifications guarantee sustainable forest management which is respectful on an economic, ecological and societal level. The entire supply and distribution chain must hold certification to ensure a certified product.
Manufacturing
Our production plant is located in Brittany.
For what?
First of all, we have very good know-how in France in the field of printing and packaging. Next, we wanted to reduce the carbon footprint of our packaging as much as possible, in particular by reducing the duration of our product cycle by producing locally.
Consumption-Use
In take-out catering, the average is 3 packages served (bag, sandwich package, accompaniment package). Manufacturing innovative 3-in-1 packaging suitable for food contact like Flycup allows restaurateurs to reduce up to 60% the number of packaging used.
Recycling
To guarantee the traceability of our products up to the recycling stage, we offer original, designer and fun containers for events, which allow the public to sort their waste more easily and which allow event organizers to register in the ISO 21201 standard as a sustainable event.
Partnership
Because we want our virtuous circle to be as wide as possible, we donate part of our profits to the association All4Trees which works in favor of reforestation and acts on the ground to guarantee the sustainable management of forests (PEFC and FSC label) and the preservation of ecosystems.
Upcycling
Today we are thinking about a possible second life for our packaging to “upcycle” our loop! You have any ideas?
Businesses are a key part of the move towards a circular model. By thinking about deploying a sustainable business strategy based on innovation, each company allows us to move forward a little further in our quest for an ecological transition.