🌍 Reflecting on Responsible Consumption at the Storytelling Breakfast!
Last Friday, we had the incredible honor of hosting our biggest Storytelling Breakfast ever, in collaboration with Patagonia. It was amazing to see such a strong turnout for our discussion on the topic of “Responsible Consumption and Circular Economy”, we even had to change to a bigger location to host all guests🤩
The event kicked off with the inspiring stories of two innovative circular startups:
💡 VYN, a circularity-driven shoe startup that redesigns the most vulnerable pieces of a shoe to be self-repaired easily. With that, VYN stands for mindful consumption: With each pair of shoes VYN seeks to challenge the norm of disposability and empower their customers to renew what's worn.
💡 With the motto “buy less, use more, go explore!”, the startup Cirkel Supply offers skiers & snowboarders a new, circular way to reduce the impact of their next trip to the Alps by renting – instead of buying – premium ski clothing.
✨ Another highlight of the morning was an expert panel discussion, brilliantly moderated by our circular economy program manager, Lara Mogge, where we dove into the concept, challenges, regulatory landscape, and best practices in Switzerland’s circular economy space. Let us share some of the key take-aways.
♻️Ina Paschen (Circular Economy Switzerland) reminded us that it is always people who drive change. Finding the right people and partners in crime who want to challenge the status quo and bring circularity forward are crucial to navigate the circular transition.
♻️ Robin Gnehm (NIKIN AG) shared his insights on how a brand, a company’s mission and its business activities can evolve along its sustainability journey: In Nikin’s case from planting trees to introducing circular materials and to try out new circular business models, such as the “circular cashback” program. A success ingredient is the constant exchange with customers, next to a determined mission and collaboration with partners.
♻️ Hérin Joëlle (Greenpeace Schweiz) highlighted the importance of creating the right incentives for companies, consumers and other actors for a more sustainable way of doing business such as adapting regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, she underlined how important it is for every one of us consumers to use our sphere of influence to promote responsible consumption - be it in our roles as employees and entrepreneurs or in our private lives by voting, by campaigning or by telling our friends and family. Let’s drive change!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this impactful conversation and to all the speakers and startups for sharing their expertise and stories.
📅 Save the date for the next Storytelling Breakfast on March 21st, featuring the topic “Moving Images” and the talented The Alpinists. We can't wait to see you there!
Marc Zuberbühler Vanessa Rueber Johanna Windisch Eva Aschwanden Magdalena Auer Anna Smoothy Catherine Meuter
