Five Takeaways From REMADE's Recent

"How-To" Conference

Our first REMADE Circular Economy Tech Summit & Conference recently brought together the brightest minds in research, industry, and policy to make the Circular Economy a reality in the United States.

We've identified five key takeaways from our two-day event, held March 20-21 at the National Academy of Sciences Building in Washington, D.C.:

• Nice ideas aren’t enough
• Carrots and (measuring) sticks are needed
• Decision-makers need the right tools for the job
• Remember: Trash is cash
• The robots are here—to improve recycling and remanufacturing

Click the button below for a deeper dive into each takeaway.

Speaking of John, he'll be on-site at Circularity in Seattle, June 5-7. Are you planning to attend? If so and you would like to meet up with John, feel free to reach out to him directly to arrange a time at jreckel@remadeinstitute.org.

Development of a

Castable High Strength Secondary Aluminum Alloy

from Recycled Wrought Aluminum Scrap

Each year, about 700 commercial aircraft retire, joining more than 16,000 planes that are grounded for good. Given that aluminum makes up some 80% of an average aircraft by weight, the world’s decommissioned fleet is a valuable material resource.

While most of the aluminum used in industrial markets like autos or buildings is recycled, aerospace aluminum remains a relatively untapped resource.

A team from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and Eck Industries, Inc. has developed a new process for recycling AA7075, a wrought aluminum alloy commonly used for aircraft components.

Read more about this REMADE R&D project, its objectives, impacts, and next steps by clicking the button below:

The Dayton Development Corporation, the economic development agency in Dayton, Ohio, recently honored REMADE member Plastilene as the agency's 2022 Research & Development Project of the Year for the company's plans to establish a sustainable food packaging initiative and facility in Washington Court House, Ohio. The $47 million facility, the first U.S. operation for Colombia-based Plastilene, is designed to process the materials addressed in a REMADE R&D project. The company anticipates cutting the ribbon on its new facility in early June, creating 58 new jobs and $3.8 million in new payroll as a result of its investment. Read more here.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a REMADE member, and the University of Maine are hosting the Manufacturing Renew3D conference, which will take place June 20-22 in Knoxville, TN. For details, go to https://manufacturingrenew3d.com.

Brian Kaye, a student in the Executive Master of Natural Resources program at Virginia Tech, a REMADE member, shared his thoughts on the recent REMADE Circular Economy Tech Summit & Conference in his article, "Wanted: Systems Leaders for the Circular Economy Transition." Read more here.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is hosting a workshop, "Transitioning to a Sustainable, Circular Economy for Plastics," which will take place June 8-9, in Seattle. The workshop will convene stakeholders for a discussion of the current challenges and opportunities for sustainable plastics in the United States. To access the agenda and register, go to Transitioning to a Sustainable, Circular Economy for Plastics Workshop Agenda | Department of Energy.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released its Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution. To review the strategy and provide feedback to the EPA, go to Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution | US EPA. Comments are due June 16.

The United Nations Environment Programme recently released its report, "Turning Off The Tap: How The World Can End Plastic Pollution and Create a Circular Economy." To read the report, go to Turning off the Tap: How the world can end plastic pollution and create a circular economy | UNEP - UN Environment Programme. The report was issued in advance of next week's Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution. Learn more: Second Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution: Overview | UNEP - UN Environment Programme.

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) recently issued standards and metrics to help companies report on their Circular Economy and overall sustainability efforts. To learn more, go to New Standard Helps Companies Measure and Report on Sustainability Efforts | UL Standards & Engagement (ulse.org).