The Circular Coffee Break

#76 - And This Is How It Ends

This is the final episode of The Circular Coffee Break. In this solo episode, host Michael Hanf reflects on why the podcast was created, what he learned through three years of conversations, and why it feels right to bring the series to a close now. Rather than offering a recap, the episode explores recurring themes that emerged over time: circularity as a governance and decision-making challenge rather than a technical one, the importance of collaboration across systems, uneven but real progress, and the role of context in shaping what change can look like in practice. The episode marks a clear and intentional ending. The archive remains available as a record of conversations that tried to slow the discussion down and engage honestly with complexity. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#75 - If you want circularity, you have to build it

Jaakko Nauha was the first interview guest of The Circular Coffee Break back in early 2023. Almost three years later, he returns as the final interview guest of the podcast, now as CEO of Tracegrow. In this conversation, we look at what has changed since those early days and what building a circular business looks like once initial ideas meet market realities. We discuss Tracegrow’s expansion from recycled battery-based fertilizers into broader industrial side streams, the move into seed treatment, and the development of battery-grade manganese for energy storage and electric vehicles. The episode explores product market fit in agriculture, the challenges of entering the European battery ecosystem, and the practical work of scaling under regulatory, logistical, and cost constraints. A reflective closing conversation for the interview series of The Circular Coffee Break. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#74 - The Global Circularity Protocol

Circular economy has been discussed for more than a decade, yet for most companies it remains fragmented, difficult to scale, and hard to explain to investors and decision-makers. While pilots and innovations abound, the lack of a shared framework has made it challenging to turn circular ambition into business strategy. In this episode of Circular Coffee Break, host Michael Hanf sits down with Filipe Camaño Garcia, Lead, Global Circularity Protocol at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Filipe has spent more than a decade working across supply chains, humanitarian operations, policy, and sustainability transformations, and now leads one of the most ambitious global efforts to standardize how businesses approach circularity. The conversation explores why circular economy urgently needs a common language and governance model, similar to what the Greenhouse Gas Protocol created for climate accounting. Filipe explains how the Global Circularity Protocol was developed through a two-year multistakeholder process involving more than 80 organizations, including global companies, governments, development banks, scientists, and civil society actors from both the Global North and the Global South. Michael and Filipe discuss what the protocol actually does in practice. Rather than focusing on abstract principles, the Global Circularity Protocol provides a step-by-step framework to help companies measure, manage, and communicate their circular performance based on real material flows. The discussion highlights how circularity can be embedded into corporate strategy, risk management, and capital allocation, rather than remaining a sustainability side project. A key theme of the episode is the reframing of circular economy as an economic and resilience agenda. Filipe shares insights on supply chain de-risking, resource volatility, and why circular strategies are becoming essential for long-term competitiveness. The conversation also reflects on the role of global policy moments such as COP, where circularity is beginning to gain recognition as a strategic lever for development, not just a waste or recycling issue. The episode goes beyond frameworks and metrics, touching on leadership, systems thinking, and the importance of inclusivity. Filipe explains why the protocol was designed from the outset as a global tool, incorporating perspectives from emerging economies and regions where circular practices already exist but are often undervalued or informal. This conversation is for sustainability leaders, strategy professionals, board members, and anyone working to translate circular economy from concept to action. It offers a grounded, pragmatic look at what it takes to scale circularity in real business environments, and why the next decade will be decisive for how companies value and manage resources. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

A short Update on the Circular Coffee Break

This short episode shares an update on the future of The Circular Coffee Break. Host Michael Hanf explains the decision to bring the podcast to a close in February 2026, what listeners can expect from the remaining episodes, and what will happen to the existing archive. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Christmas Special

In this Christmas special of the Circular Coffee Break, Michael Hanf explores what the holiday season looks like through the lens of circularity. From gift wrapping and waste, to circular design and community traditions, the episode reflects on how small, thoughtful choices can reduce pressure and add meaning to Christmas. Featuring short perspectives from TOMRA, Circular&Co, and WWF Germany, this episode shows how circular practices often emerge naturally during the holidays, not out of obligation, but from a desire for simplicity, connection, and care. Wishing you a thoughtful and circular Christmas. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.