Issue #114, January 2020

   Leipold Interview
   Recenso
   Infarm
   Events
   Dycle
 

Circular Economy
Waste began in 1760. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, many materials were so scarce that people were forced to reuse and recycle. But with the growth of consumer culture came the rise of waste, and by the 1970s, thanks to the environmental movement, society was being urged to reduce, reuse and recycle.
 
The "circular economy" is a new concept that places emphasis not just on reuse, but on the entire economic system that produces single-use items. An economic system of closed loops, the  circular economy aims  to eliminate waste and allow resources to be used continually.
 
In our January newsletter we kick off our 2020 focus topic, Cities and Climate, with a look at German innovations in the circular economy. We feature Recenso, a company perfecting affordable and scalable chemical recycling; Infarm, an urban agriculture startup reducing the impact of food transportation; and Dycle, a startup transforming used diapers into fruit trees. In an interview we talk with Sina Leipold, the youngest junior professor at the University of Freiburg, whose research focuses on realistic pathways to a circular economy. 
 




New Approaches to the Circular Economy

Dr. Sina Leipold


 
 
Researcher Spotlight
 
Does industry respond more to consumer wishes or regulation, and what is the greatest flaw in contemporary recycling research? Answers to this and more by Dr. Sina Leipold in her interview with us
 
 
Recenso's industrial recycling facility


Recycling. Just More Efficient.

Because recycled plastic polymers are incredibly weak, most recycled plastics can only be made into fabric. Recenso, a company based in  Remscheid, Germany, has developed a chemical recycling process that allows recycled plastics many more uses. Find out how.
 
Vertical farming modules developed by Infarm


IoT, Meet Farming

Imagine your produce being grown directly in the grocery store where you're shopping or in the restaurant where you're eating. Berlin's Infarm makes vertical farming modules that are monitored and maintained through Machine Learning and the Internet of Things. They already have locations in NYC and Seattle. Learn more. 
 
Dycle founder Ayumi Matzusaka


How Diapers Become Fruit Trees

On average, one baby goes through 4,500 diapers in its lifetime.  
Berlin's Dycle offers 100% biobased diapers which are collected and composted into a soil particularly fertile for fruit trees. To the story.
 

Upcoming Events

01/08/2020, "US Positioning Towards Russia's Role in the World" ©Nathalie Schueller



 

DWIH News




Future Forum 2020: Cities and Climate

The DWIH Future Forum continues in 2020 on the topic of City and Climate. Find out more about the event and its goals in our new clip
 

The DWIH Team is again complete with our new intern Sophie Mahle and Program Officer Julia Helmes. Cheers to a great year of cooperation! 

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