5 Key Takeaways from Circular Economy Week 2025: new nature positive circular business models, awesome food innovation and learnings from scaling and regulations.

Impressions of our events

Imagine a world where every business decision contributes to a sustainable future. 🌍 During the Dutch Circular Economy Week 2025, we did more than imagine: we explored the ripple effect of wonder. 🌟 Our current take-make-waste system is unsustainable, and it's time for a change. ♻️

The ripple effect of wonder 🌊

Our journey often begins with a simple question: "What if?" or "How could we?" These questions challenge the status quo and open doors to new possibilities. 💡 This year, our focus for Circular Economy Week was on "How could we" questions, aiming to facilitate problem-solving by framing challenges as opportunities and channeling those options into actionable outcomes. We wondered how to fast-forward to a better world, where societies thrive 🌱 and businesses bloom. 🌷

A timely topic ⏰

In today's world, businesses face cumbersome challenges. Many companies are still transitioning to digitization while struggling with new regulations and supply chain pressures. Instead of asking, "What if we could keep our critical raw materials in our own control?", the focus shifts towards "How could we create our own material bank?" or "How could we lower our dependency on specific regions?"  The need for rapid change has driven our focus towards actionable outcomes and new business models that enable resilience. 💪

Five key questions

During Circular Economy Week, we wondered, together with our network, 

❓Ever wondered how nature could inspire your business? Based on the belief that embracing nature is a smart business move that is paying off and that we would like to learn from those already partnering with nature to experience positive business benefits. 

❓How the future of food is crafted? Based on the experience of Michelin-awarded chefs to upcycle ingredients that we typically throw away to maximize the total value of cultivated food and prevent waste.

❓How corporates and startups scale for impact? Based on the assumption, starting from a blank sheet is easier than turning a well-oiled tanker around. Is this true? Or are new skills the answer to every size.

❓How opportunities arise from new legislation? To provide a strong response to the sighing and struggling under the weight of the numerous new regulations burdening businesses.

❓How stories shape decisions for climate action? Understanding that every person makes a difference, and our narratives influence our decisions and behavior. 

Strong characters with a growth mindset

Throughout the week, I had the privilege of engaging with visionary leaders who are at the forefront of this movement. Their stories of determination and innovation were both inspiring and eye-opening. 🌟 These frontrunners have a vision, are determined to realize it, and are willing to fail early and learn. They embody a growth mindset, believing that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and perseverance.

5 How-to-learnings for you

While there isn't a one-size-fits-all blueprint for regenerative circular business, many companies are already paving the way. Here are five actionable learnings from our week of exploration, each illustrated with inspiring stories from across sectors:

1. A new stakeholder joined the boardroom to future-proof businesses. In between the voice of the shareholder, customer and employee, nature made its entrance. By investing and implementing regenerative agriculture and restoring biodiversity, companies in the food sector are reviving and securing supply chains, as shared by @Ruben and @Fabio….. And by restoring nature, we also see social issues being improved. 

2. Sustainable solutions with an appealing story set a new standard. Stories about circular, renewable, or regenerative propositions touch people’s hearts and drive decision-making. We learned that: 

   1. A simple, straightforward message can have a big impact, as @Ronald van de Bij explained, talking about Just Diggit. 

   2. New solutions can also be very appealing, as long as they adhere to category standards. The food made by the chefs looked and tasted very appealing, even though it was made using exciting new fermentation techniques.

   3. It is also about how you tell your message. Together with @Lieke and 16 female leaders we tested the power of journaling and experienced its power firsthand 

   4. And, even individual efforts can make a significant difference, as @Kate does when she brings leading voices together to drive change.

3. Lobbying and educational skills are crucial in scaling. Smaller companies need to show larger incumbents the value of change, aiming to collaborate with these powerful ecosystem partners. As @Chaincraft and @Holdfast&Stipe are already doing successfully.

4. Rapidly changing regulations can be daunting, but they also spark strategic conversations for value creation. Especially when you grasp how the pillars of the EU Green Deal interconnect. With the EU Green Deal Quick Scan, developed by our partner @Siu Lie, participants quickly grasped regulatory trends: fueling their excitement to explore the opportunities.

5. Selling to a second, third or fourth user can be very lucrative. When asked whether there is still value at end-of-use, @Patrick Lerou shared several new opportunities for refurbished CT scanners in both existing and adjacent markets. Fulfilling slightly different needs in some situations, but still convincing and compelling. 

Have you already familiarized yourself with the new strategies needed to overcome the impending collapse we face? The time for incremental change is over. Only by embracing bold, transformative actions and adopting the principles of going circular will you set up your business for success. And may I tell you a secret? It will be an exciting and rewarding journey. I would be happy to explore this together with you.

Awesome food innovations by award-winning chefs