Program:
Tue – Feb. 27th
4:00 – 7:00pm: LEARN THE BARN
Step into our inaugural evening event and immerse yourself in the Innovation Barn's myriad features and programs!
Engage with diverse groups across the Barn, spotlighting avant-garde innovations propelling Charlotte's transition to a circular economy. Explore various spaces, projects, and exhibits while networking with representatives from other cities, all while relishing a delightful happy hour featuring beer, wine, and sumptuous appetizers.
This evening sets the stage for an exhilarating summit, delving deeper into how cities collaborate with citizens, entrepreneurs, companies, and local governments to propel the circular economy forward.
Join us for an immersive evening at the Innovation Barn, where education, innovation, and networking unite, paving the way toward a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
Wed – Feb. 28th
7:30 – 8:15am: Coffee, Breakfast and Networking
8:15 am: Marcus Jones – Welcome/Intro
8:30 am: Eva Gladek
Eva Gladek, is the Founder and CEO of Metabolic, an organization deeply involved in Charlotte’s circularity journey, starting with the original Circular Charlotte study published in 2018. She is an expert in technical environmental management techniques and has developed leading frameworks for systems thinking, the circular economy, and sustainable design. Eva will provide a holistic view of the circular economy, emphasizing its systemic approach to generating value for communities, equitable wealth distribution, and pathways for decarbonized economic development. She will also share success stories from the US and Europe, igniting inspiration for the next two days of immersive learning.
9:30am: Amy Aussieker
2017, Envision Charlotte orchestrated a strategic expedition, guiding city leaders through Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Barcelona to observe waste management methodologies. This pivotal journey introduced us to Metabolic, unveiling the transformative potential of the circular economy in fostering sustainability.
In response, the City of Charlotte partnered with Envision Charlotte, launching Circular Charlotte—a progressive program aimed at transitioning our city towards a circular economy. This initiative heralded a paradigm shift in our approach to sustainability, laying the groundwork for a more resource-efficient future.
Join us for a discussion examining the achievements and challenges of the past six years. We'll delve into our successes, setbacks, and pivotal insights gained. We will also take a peek into what the future holds.
10:45 – 11:45am: Plastics -
Join us for an eye-opening panel discussion on the ubiquitous presence of plastics in our lives. From the beneficial and convenient to the redundant and non-recyclable, plastics play a diverse role. Discover the complexities behind the multitude of plastics used by similar companies and the challenges in separating and recycling them. This engaging panel aims to unravel the big picture of plastics, shedding light on vital steps to address and minimize their global impact. Don't miss out on the opportunity to gain insights and be part of the solution towards a more sustainable future!
11:45am - 12:45pm: Textiles -
Join us for an insightful panel discussion on textiles. They present a significant challenge in today's landscape, given their widespread use and the complexities of recycling due to various blends and incorporated elements like buttons and zippers. This panel aims to delve into innovative strategies for reimagining our approach to textiles. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation driving impactful change towards a more sustainable future!
12:45 – 2:00pm: Lunch
2:00pm: Glass
Many cities grapple with the complexities of managing glass waste. Its weight and hazards pose logistical problems, often making recycling costlier than its value. However, within this conundrum lies a small-scale program that could serve as the model for a comprehensive solution. Join us to explore this innovative initiative that has the potential to revolutionize how cities address the glass recycling dilemma. Be part of the conversation that could shape a larger, more efficient, and sustainable solution for handling glass waste!
3:00pm: Corporations
Corporations wield significant influence in the circular economy, impacting not just their internal operations but also their collaborations with community partners. Join this panel as we delve into the journeys of leading companies, exploring their strides toward circularity and their collaborative efforts with other stakeholders in the community.
4:00pm: Material Management
Discover the latest breakthroughs and confront the growing challenges in material waste management at our panel discussion. We'll delve into the current state of recycling, highlighting both advancements and hurdles, while exploring upcoming innovations that could significantly reduce landfill waste. Join us for insights that could shape a more sustainable future!
5:00 – 7:00pm: Happy Hour Networking
Thu – Feb. 29th
8:00 – 8:45am: Coffee, Breakfast and networking
9:00am: Buildings and Circularity
Discover the secrets of sustainable architecture and construction at our panel discussion! Delve into the world of the built environment and explore how innovative projects are embracing circularity. Learn firsthand from architects and builders as they reveal their strategies for integrating sustainability into every stage of the building process, from initial design to construction and beyond. Uncover the fascinating concept of designing buildings for deconstruction and find out how this approach can revolutionize the longevity and environmental impact of structures. Join us for an enlightening discussion that will inspire you to rethink the way we build for a more sustainable future!.
10:00am: Entrepreneurs and Innovation
Discover the driving forces behind our successful shift toward a circular economy: innovation, entrepreneurship, diversity, and inclusion. Join us at this panel where we unravel how these crucial components intertwine, paving the way for a sustainable and inclusive future.
11:00am: Eco System Engagement
Join us for an inspiring discussion on one of the most thrilling prospects in our journey toward a circular economy: ecosystem engagement. Discover how various organizations, spanning from non-profits to for-profits, collaborate synergistically to drive circularity forward while fulfilling their individual missions. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the power of collaborative efforts in shaping a sustainable future!
12:30am: Lunch with Daniel and Amy
Join us for an exclusive lunch discussion where we delve deeper into the world of circularity. Get ready for a candid conversation with Amy and Daniel, where no question is off-limits. Ask them about the easy, the challenging, and the tactical aspects that can propel your circularity ambitions forward. This is your chance to gain valuable insights and actionable advice straight from the experts!
