#sustainability

82: Re-air of Carbon8 Systems – Making Carbon Productive

Carbon is as Carbon does. In this episode let us find out how Carbon Dioxide residue from manufacturing processes can be utilized positively.
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Each year, industries such as Waste-to-Energy, Cement and Biomass for power generation, send millions of tonnes of thermal residues to landfill. At the same time, these thermal processes produce significant amounts of carbon dioxide that are released into the atmosphere. We talk with Maarten Van Roon, Chief Commercial Officer of Carbon8 Systems. Carbon8 Systems is the result of hard work and persistence of researchers – Dr Paula Carey and Prof. Colin Hills. Carbon8 Systems is the inventor and owner of a chemical process that treats industrial residues, including hazardous waste, using CO2 captured directly from flue gas to transform them into valuable low-carbon products. Through its innovation in engineering, has developed an on-site containerized solution that operates at industrial sites. Each CO₂ntainer can treat up to 12,000 tonnes of input residue material annually. The innovation views CO₂ and landfill destined residues as resource – ingredients, to engineer valuable, low-carbon products. Listen to learn more.

https://c8s.co.uk/
https://www.mindfulbusinessespodcast.com/
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82: Re-air of Carbon8 Systems - Making Carbon Productive
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46: Re-air of IceWind – Extreme Energy Solutions

A very important aspect to building a sustainable home is how we source our energy. In this episode we had spoken to Robert Gerber who talks about how through wind energy we can reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.
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We talk with Robert Gerber, of Icewind USA. Robert, a career diplomat, who had the opportunity to live in Iceland. Icewind is the premier manufacturer of compact vertical axis wind turbines for residential and commercial use. Utilizing durable materials for extremely long lifespans without maintenance and a combination of blades to provide low start-up speeds, lift, and constant power generation, IceWind’s turbines serve as a reliable renewable power solution in any environment.

IceWind formed in 2012 out of the necessity to create new, innovative renewable wind energy solutions to reduce global dependency on fossil fuels. Founded in the windy and harsh country of Iceland in the shell of an old coal power plant, CEO and Mechanical Engineer Sæþór Ásgeirsson began designing formidable turbines capable of withstanding hurricanes, blizzards, sleet, snow, hail, and almost any inclement weather conditions. After years of testing, fine-tuning, and improvements, Icewind is finally ready to implement turbines into windy, volatile regions across the entire United States.

Their goal is to making wind energy accessible to anyone, from windy neighborhoods to the most remote and harsh regions of the globe. We strive towards becoming a global impact leader, building a brighter future while cutting carbon emissions, one turbine at a time. Listen and learn.

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46: Re-air of IceWind - Extreme Energy Solutions
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49: Re-air of Othalo – The Future of Housing

As we are in the process of building and moving into a Sustainable House, here is an interesting episode on building systems that utilize recycled plastic waste.
OTHALO™ has developed a patent-pending technology to manufacture building systems using recycled plastic waste. The main market is the developing world where there is a massive need for affordable houses, refugee shelters, temperature-controlled units for storage of food and medicines, camps (hospitals, schools, temporary living) for disasters and emergency situations.

Frank Cato Lahti, has been developing and testing the OTHALO™ technology in partnership with SINTEF in Trondheim and the University in Tromsø since 2014. The company was formally established and patent applications filed in 2019. After years of self-funding the development, OTHALO™ is now in a position to scale up the company, supported by UN-Habitat, global thought-leaders, and many engaged partners. Frank joins us from Vard, Norway, a town filled with legends of magic and the Northern Lights. Listen to his fascinating journey in this episode.

For more episodes go to our website:https://www.mindfulbusinessespodcast.com/podcast-1
To learn more about Othalo:
https://othalo.com/

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49: Re-air of Othalo - The Future of Housing
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62: Re-air of Rhino Machines – Silica Plastic Blocks

As we start building our sustainable house we look for sustainable alternatives for bricks or pavers and other construction materials. Here is a very creative solution from India, made almost entirely of waste and 2.5 times stronger than regular brick! Let’s listen to the episode to find out more!
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When Manish Kothari, Managing Director of Rhino Machines and a second-generation entrepreneur involved in the casting and foundry industry in India, saw how dark, dusty and dangerous this industry was to the environment and the workers, he decided to do something about it. He is a social entrepreneur with a passion for innovation who decided to tackle the dust and sand waste that the foundry creates. He reached out to Shridhar Rao, a partner in the architect firm R + D studio to make a brick by combining the foundry dust with plastic to create the first Silica Plastic Block (SPB). The SPB tested 2.5 times stronger than regular brick and it was comparable in cost to the regular bricks in Indian metro cities. They have created a sustainable alternative to traditional brick.

Manish is adamant about not patenting his innovation and in fact, believes in assisting and sharing the know-how with other sustainable entrepreneurs. Learn more about these enterprising, creative and forward-thinking entrepreneurs on Mindful Businesses podcast.
https://www.MindfulBusinessespodcast.com

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62: Re-air of Rhino Machines - Silica Plastic Blocks
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60: Re-air of Cannon Design – Living Centered Design

Whether designing for equity in education, accessible healthcare, inclusive communities, new scientific discoveries or the “next big idea” in business, Cannon Design leverages a full suite of end-to-end services to help organizations and the people and communities they serve to flourish.

Cannon Design does this through a design approach they created called Living-Centered Design. Living-Centered Design realizes that to create a world where people continuously flourish, we must address the complex interdependencies that exist between people, businesses, communities, society and the environment.

We talk with Eric Corey Freed, director of sustainability at Cannon Design, about how a well-designed building can not only have an environmental impact but also increase productivity. How can we achieve that? Listen to Eric on Mindful Businesses podcast.

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60: Re-air of Cannon Design - Living Centered Design
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74: Re-air of MPOWERD – The Power of Sun in Your Hands

As the Europe Energy Crisis sets in, causing financial havoc in the continent, here is an interesting episode on using the energy of the Sun. Do give it a listen.
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We speak with John Salzinger founder and Seungah Jeong CEO of MPOWERD, about their company mission and passion to give back. In 2012 MPOWERD created Luci, the first inflatable solar light with the goal of making an affordable clean energy product that people could use in any situation. They create sustainable, affordable, and thoughtfully designed products that suit the needs of the many. The belief that everyone deserves access to clean, reliable and affordable energy, no matter how or where they live has driven them to create their sustainable products. For over 3 billion people, everyday tasks are made more difficult (and dangerous) than they should be. Access to clean energy can improve health, create education equality, economic empowerment, all the while combating climate change.

As a B Corp, they use the power of business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. As a social enterprise, they reinvest a majority of their gross revenue to achieve sustainability, increase their reach to enable them to fulfill their mission. Aside from the Give Luci Program – which donates lights to their partners – their sustainable business model means that the more they sell here at home, the more affordable they can sell to emerging markets and nonprofits. As a member of the American Sustainable Business Council along with other members like Patagonia, Ben and Jerry’s, Greyston Bakery, Avocado Green Mattress, advocate for policy change and inform business owners, policymakers, and the public about the need and opportunities for building a vibrant, broadly prosperous, sustainable economy. Listen to their journey in this episode.

https://mpowerd.com/
https://www.mindfulbusinessespodcast.com/podcast-links

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74: Re-air of MPOWERD - The Power of Sun in Your Hands
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56: Re-Air Jeffrey Hollender – Seventh Generation

You cannot switch on the radio, TV or online news any day without a mention of sustainability or climate change. One of the early thought leader in this field is Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder of Seventh Generation. We enjoy always to listen to his words and thought process and decided to re-air this classic episode. Take a listen.
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Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder and Board Chair of the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), which through its national member network represents more than 250,000 businesses in a wide range of industries. He was co-founder and CEO of Seventh Generation, which he built into a leading natural product brand known for its authenticity, transparency, and progressive business practices.

As an early thinker and adopter of sustainable practices, Jeffrey brought to market several green products. He talks about how and why is a living wage important. He talks about the impact of a living wage on an individual and societal level – both emotionally and financially. What sustainability means is far more than just doing no harm – we have to be a net positive. Do more good through regenerative practices. AT ASBC, he leads and lobbies for policy changes in these issues which he is passionate about. Listen now only on Mindful Businesses.

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56: Re-Air Jeffrey Hollender - Seventh Generation
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62: Re-Air Rhino Machines – Silica Plastic Blocks

Summer construction activity is at its peak in the US. And as we look for sustainable alternatives for bricks or pavers or other construction materials, we look Eastwards to one of our guests whose journey I have followed since our last recording. He is a very creative solution made almost entirely of waste and 2.5 times stronger than regular brick. This episode we felt definitely needed an encore.
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When Manish Kothari, Managing Director of Rhino Machines and a second-generation entrepreneur involved in the casting and foundry industry in India, saw how dark, dusty and dangerous this industry was to the environment and the workers, he decided to do something about it. He is a social entrepreneur with a passion for innovation who decided to tackle the dust and sand waste that the foundry creates. He reached out to Shridhar Rao, a partner in the architect firm R + D studio to make a brick by combining the foundry dust with plastic to create the first Silica Plastic Block (SPB). The SPB tested 2.5 times stronger than regular brick and it was comparable in cost to the regular bricks in Indian metro cities.

What makes this solution and entrepreneur special is Manish’s obstinance about not patenting his innovation. He in fact believes in assisting and sharing the know-how with other sustainable entrepreneurs. Learn more about these enterprising, creative and forward-thinking entrepreneurs on Mindful Businesses podcast.
https://rhinospb.in/
https://www.MindfulBusinessespodcast.com

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62: Re-Air Rhino Machines - Silica Plastic Blocks
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106: The Buy Nothing Project – Buy Nothing, Build Community

Humans are inherently materialistic and seek happiness through objects, but what we get is enjoyment not happiness. Happiness tends to be more fulfilling and long term. Happiness often comes by connecting with your community, by sharing stories and creating trust. That is what The Buy Nothing Project does. We talk to the amazing Rebecca Rockerfeller, co-founder of The Buy Nothing Project, who started the movement with her friend Liesl Clark, as a way for community members to gift things that they don’t need any longer. But how are they different from donating, is the stories that they share with each other, that create bonds and communities. Spring is around the corner and if you are anything like me, I am overwhelmed with the clutter around me and making frequent trips to the donation sites. But maybe this Spring gift it through your neighborhood’s The Buy Nothing Project. Learn more from this amazing and truly authentic co-founder Rebecca Rockefeller on this episode of Mindful Businesses.

#Mindful Businesses
#TheBuyNothingProject
#sustainability
#eco-friendly
#communitybuilding
http://buynothingproject.org/
https://mindfulbusinessespodcast.com/

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106: The Buy Nothing Project - Buy Nothing, Build Community
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94: The Glad Products Company – ​​Doing More to Waste Less

In this episode we talk with Eric Schwarz, General Manager of The Glad Products Company. He talks about Glad’s commitment to reducing our environmental footprint, and helping consumers with their own green goals. Their sustainability journey focuses on 4 key areas: Products, Production, Packaging and Programs.
Products with less plastic – Glad has developed breakthrough technology that enables their most popular product, the drawstring kitchen trash bags to use less plastic than leading competition without sacrificing strength. They have to reduce 50% of virgin materials in Glad Trash by 2030 and have reduced it by 13% as of CY2020. Production with less pollution – they are improving manufacturing processes to reduce environmental impact. They have achieved the goal of Zero Waste to Landfill manufacturing for North American plants and utilize 100% renewable electricity in our North American plants. Packaging with less waste – reduce its environmental impact with the goal of 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable. They have achieved in making their packing 99% recyclable and have a 48% reduction in virgin packaging as of CY2020. Programs with more purpose – Glad teamed up with Recyclops to improve curbside recycling access across the U.S. Learn more in this episode.

https://www.glad.com/sustainability/
https://www.mindfulbusinessespodcast.com/

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94: The Glad Products Company - ​​Doing More to Waste Less
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