Millennials Gone Circular

The Future of Circularity in 2026: Grounded Hope, AI & the EU Circular Economy Shift

What happens when sustainability professionals pause for a moment and ask: “Are we really making progress?” In this reflective and surprisingly hopeful episode of Millennials Gone Circular, hosts Caitlyn Socwell, Angelica Barrios and Said Fadyl look back on the lessons, challenges and unexpected insights from 2025, while exploring what they believe is coming next for circularity and sustainability in 2026. From “grounded hope” and survival positivism, to AI, circular value chains, impact reporting and the upcoming EU Circular Economy Act, this episode dives into the realities of working in sustainability without losing sight of the progress humanity has made. The trio explores: * Why hope is more than optimism, it’s a survival mechanism * How sustainability is shifting from strategy decks into operational reality * The rise of circular value chains and digital product passports * Why impact reporting and measurable outcomes matter more than ever * How AI could either disconnect us from nature, or help reconnect us to it * Why younger generations are returning to practical life skills and lower-consumption lifestyles * The changing future of funding, grants and sustainability investment * What the upcoming EU Circular Economy Act could mean for businesses This is a thoughtful, grounded and refreshingly human conversation about where we’ve been, where we’re headed, and why progress often happens more quietly than we realise. Because yes, the world feels messy right now. But there are still plenty of reasons to keep going. Key takeaways * Progress is rarely linear, but systems can change over time * Sustainability implementation is moving from ambition to operationalisation * Circularity is becoming a business requirement, not a “nice-to-have” * Hope is not passive, it’s something we actively build and practice * Measuring and communicating impact is becoming essential for organisations seeking funding and trust Resources & References Mentioned * Fix The News [https://fixthenews.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Hope Is A Verb Podcast [https://fixthenews.com/podcast/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * United Nations Recognition of the Right to a Healthy Environment [https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/un-general-assembly-declares-access-clean-and-healthy-environment-universal?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * EU Circular Economy Action Plan [https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy-action-plan_en?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation [https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/circular-economy/ecodesign-sustainable-products-regulation_en?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Digital Product Passport Overview [https://cirpassproject.eu/digital-product-passport/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Connect with us Follow Millennials Gone Circular for more conversations unpacking sustainability and circularity in a practical, relatable and globally minded way. * Instagram: @millennialsgonecircular * Produced by The Waste Not Spot [https://www.thewastenotspot.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Listener Challenge Go and find one piece of good news about sustainability, circularity, climate action or social progress this week. Curate your feed with intention. Ground yourself in hope. Then keep going.

Food Waste Explained: Why It’s the 3rd Biggest Climate Issue (and What You Can Do)

What if one of the most powerful climate actions you can take… starts on your plate? In this episode, we’re diving into the world of food loss and food waste with filmmaker and sustainability advocate Vivian Davidson-Castro. From farm to fork, we unpack how and why food is lost or wasted across the supply chain, and what it really means for people, planet, and profit. Spoiler alert: if food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally. Yep, let that sink in. Together, we explore: * The difference between food loss and food waste (and why it matters) * How modern food systems became so disconnected * Why most food waste actually happens at home * What circular food systems look like in practice * Simple, realistic actions you can take today to become a “food hero” We also chat about Food Synergy, Vivian’s documentary exploring food waste across all seven stages of the supply chain, and why storytelling is such a powerful tool for driving change. This is one of those episodes that might just change the way you look at your fridge, your leftovers, and your weekly shop. References & Resources: * Food Synergy documentary [https://www.foodsynergymovie.ca/] * True Price [https://trueprice.org] - understanding the real cost of products beyond the price tag * National Zero Waste Council (Canada) [https://nzwc.ca] * BonAppify [https://bonappify.com/] - Platform for restaurants Food recovery organisations mentioned: * Susgrainable [https://susgrainable.com] - turning spent grain into flour * Floating Farm Rotterdam [https://floatingfarm.nl] - circular urban agriculture in action

Circular Design Framework with Anne Raudaskoski

In this 13th episode of Millennials Gone Circular, we’re having a little chat about the magic of circular design, and why it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to reimagine business, products and systems for a regenerative future. Our guest, Anne Raudaskoski, is a pioneer in circular design and the founder of RE-Generous Unlimited [https://www.regenerousunlimited.com/]. She’s also the author of Circular Strategies for Success [https://www.circularstrategiesforsuccess.com/], a practical guide to shifting from linear to circular models across business, product and customer experience development. Anne explains more about what circular design means, why design thinking has to being with understanding your customer, the Jobs to Be Done framework and how to apply it, how values and mindset are central to circular transitions, and more! “If nothing in your mindset changes, then probably nothing changes.” Resources & Links * Anne Raudaskoski on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anneraudaskoski/] * Circular Strategies for Success – Book [https://www.circularstrategiesforsuccess.com/] * RE-Generous Unlimited [https://www.regenerousunlimited.com/]

Your questions answered: Business for good, circular bees and living circularly

In this special Q&A edition, Caitlyn and Said respond to questions submitted by our listeners. Our listeners want to know more about redefining the purpose of business, exploring how beekeeping fits into a circular economy and how to live more circularly. Have a question for a future episode? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a voice note or message via our socials or email us at hello@thewastenotspot.com. Hosted by: Caitlyn Socwell and Said Fadyl Produced by The Waste Not Spot Millennials Gone Circular is a production of The Waste Not Spot. The Waste Not Spot recognises the many traditional landowners around the world and their continued stewardship of our planet. We pay our respects and offer our deepest gratitude. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn: @TheWasteNotSpot

Conscious Marketing with Claudia Guerreiro

Here comes EP11 of Millennials Gone Circular! Angelica and Caitlyn sat down with Claudia Guerreiro of Conscious Marketing Movement to chat more about the power that marketing holds in shaping our world for the better. We look into how storytelling, branding and consumer psychology can either reinforce extractive systems or be a way forward for sustainability. We discuss: * What conscious marketing is (and isn't) * Why traditional marketing works against sustainability goals * How to spot manipulative greenhushing and greenwashing tactics * Examples of conscious marketing in action * Why we need marketers who are willing to speak up and act as agents of change This episode is a must-listen for anyone working in comms, branding, marketing or content, or anyone who's ever felt a little uneasy about the messages we absorb each and every day. "We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly" - Anne-Marie Bonneau (Zero Waste Chef) Resources & Links Mentioned * Claudia Guerreiro on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiabarrosguerreiro/] * Conscious Marketing Movement Website [https://www.consciousmarketingmovement.com/] * Conscious Marketing by Carolyn Tate – Buy the book [https://carolinetate.co/books/] * Plastic Change Denmark Ad – “Toxicity” Spoof [https://adsofbrands.net/en/news/plastic-change-brings-new-meaning-to-toxic-masculinity-in-spoof-campaign/8421] * Danone “Dear Alice” Ad [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-Ng5ZvrDm4] Take Action * Reflect on the marketing messages you consume: Do they align with your values? * If you’re a communicator or creator, ask: How can I use my platform to inspire real change? * Share this episode with your favourite comms colleague or ethical brand