RCAT Network: Circular Economy and Recycled Fiber-based Products

How does the circular economy bring recycled fiber-based products full circle with sustainable innovation? This session will focus on breakthrough business models for circular economy — specifically how the circular economy is built on the principle that the life cycles of materials and resources can be preserved, extended, and ultimately given back to the supply chain once their original intended purpose has been served. Emily M. Olson, Director, Sustainability & Ambassador for Sustana Group, will offer examples on how Sustana has met consumer demand through innovative use of the renewable energy biogas and highlight relevant case studies, like its partnership project with Starbucks, demonstrating how coffee cups can be recycled and turned into new cups.

In addition to serving as Director, Sustainability & Ambassador for Sustana Group — the leading manufacturer of sustainably produced, premium recycled fiber and paper, Emily is also Founder of ReGenFriends™, a global digital platform and event series. ReGenFriends™ uses data-driven insights to bring Fortune-500 companies together with emerging brands for the purpose of implementing customer-centric, regenerative business practices. Ms. Olson is a customer-focused, senior sustainability professional with 20+ years of experience advancing initiatives that benefit people, planet, and prosperity for a wide variety of for-profit and non-profit organizations like the Pablo Picasso Estate, Organic Valley, and Tech Crunch finalist, Affective Interfaces.

Emily is featured in publications globally and a regular speaker at international conferences on the topic of regenerative, sustainable enterprise. She holds an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise from Dominican University of California and a bachelor’s degree from The Evergreen State College.

To find out more about the Rotary Climate Action Teams (RCAT) Network and the Speakers Forum, go here.