Going Circular
2023 AWARD COMMENDATION
Sponsored by ecostore
Circularity designed XLabs, Aotearoa New Zealand's first circular economy learning programme. It aims to accelerate the design of solutions to reduce waste, keep materials in flow and regenerate the natural environment.
Launched in March 2020, the XLabs programme brings businesses together to solve complex environmental challenges. It helps them redesign their systems, processes and products with circular strategies.
XLabs has options for online or in-person learning. XLabs LEARN is a comprehensive course in understanding the circular economy in the context of a business and complex challenges of emissions, waste and pollution. XLabs LIVE is an in-person design sprint for teams to work alongside like-minded businesses to prototype and validate their circular solution with a diverse range of experts.
To date, 302 businesses have been involved in XLabs with 88% implementing their circular solution within 12 months of completing the programme. XLabs helped these businesses keep 730,648 tonnes of materials in flow for everything from packaging, crop waste and children's shoes to power poles. Circularity stays in touch with each business and champions their ongoing progress by connecting them to funders and solution providers.
Circularity says XLabs participants recognise the benefits their businesses can gain by going circular. This creates lasting systems change by driving collaboration across the system to benefit a more circular Aotearoa New Zealand.
“If there’s one thing to take away from XLabs, it’s to stay connected. Stay connected to each other, stay connected to the land, to the environment, and stay connected to the problem,” says Louise Nash Founder and CEO of Circularity.