The Circular People

ICTYOS

This company upcycles fish skin into a leather-like material for luxury goods.

Vandana Balakrishnan

January 18, 2024

Europe, fish skins, food upcycling, france, leather, luxury fashion, new material, restaurant food waste, upcycling

fish skin, leather, luxury fashion, restaurant waste, upcycling

BOTTLETOP

This company creates upscale bags made from sustainable and zero waste materials like upcycled aluminum ringpulls, among others.

Vandana Balakrishnan

January 18, 2024

Africa, consumer product, Europe, humanium metal, leather, luxury fashion, social enterprise/b corp, uganda, UK, upcycling

acai berry seeds, aluminum pulls, humanium metal, luxury fashion, social enterprise, zero deforestation leather

LIVING INK

This company creates a high-quality algae-based ink that biodegrades to be used in packaging and other applications.

Vandana Balakrishnan

January 18, 2024

algae by-product, colorado, dyes, non-toxic ink, package-free, plastic-free, seaweed, USA

MOMO PENCIL

This company produces high-quality pencils made from recycled newspapers.

Vandana Balakrishnan

January 18, 2024

Africa, consumer product, kenya, newspaper, social enterprise/b corp, upcycling

NUDIE JEANS

This company has incorporated circularity into the life cycle of its jeans, including resale, repairs and a take-back program.

Vandana Balakrishnan

January 18, 2024

clothing, consumer product, digital platform, Europe, online marketplace, prewashed jeans, Re-use, Repair, Resale, reusable clothing, sweden, take back, used clothes

prewashed jeans, repairs, Resale, takeback

FOR DAYS

This fashion company specializes in recyclable fashion, and has created a take-back bag that allows customers to send back clothes in exchange for a customer discount.

Vandana Balakrishnan

January 18, 2024

california, clothing, clothing recycling, digital platform, downcycling, recycle, Resale, take back, USA

clothing recyclling, downcycling, recycled clothing, Resale, takeback

PAKKA

This company uses waste agricultural biomass to create a range of compostable packaging and compostable tableware solutions.

Vandana Balakrishnan

January 18, 2024

agricultural waste, Asia, Compostable, compostable tableware, food upcycling, food waste, india, sugarcane biomass, upcycling

agricultural waste, Compostable, compostable tableware, India

TERRACYCLE and LOOP

The circle of it: This company is a waste management company that optimizes disposal and usage of waste for brands and individuals.

Vandana Balakrishnan

January 18, 2024

downcycling, New Jersey, package-free, Re-use, recycle, refill, reusable containers for food services, reusable packaging, reuse backend infrastructure, reverse logistics, take back, USA, waste infrastructure, waste solutions

downcycling, recycling infrastructure, upcycling, waste management

BUNDLEE

This company offers a rental service for baby clothes, thereby encouraging reuse and bringing back resources to the business.

Vandana Balakrishnan

January 17, 2024

clothing, clothing rental, digital platform, Europe, Re-use, rental, Repair, reusable clothing, textiles, UK

baby clothing subscription, clothing rental, online marketplace, used clothes

MANY MOONS

This company is circular retailer for children’s fashion, offering used options and also a rental model for children’s clothes.

Vandana Balakrishnan

January 17, 2024

clothing, clothing rental, digital platform, New Jersey, online marketplace, Re-use, rental, Resale, reusable clothing, subscription service, take back, USA, used clothes

baby clothing subscription, Resale, reuse, subscription service, used clothes