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In this episode, Stephanie McLarty reflects on the major themes of the circular economy in 2025, highlighting the challenges and breakthroughs in e-waste management, circular value creation, the Right to Repair movement, collaboration, digital product passports, compliance with new regulations, and the need for a fundamental rethinking of business practices to embrace circular principles.

Takeaways

• 2025 has seen significant shifts in the circular economy.
• Circular value creation maximizes resource value throughout a product's life cycle.
• Collaboration is essential for circular transformation.
• Collaboration is essential for circular transformation.

Thanks for tuning in to The Circular Future. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on our Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

Interested in joining us as a guest? Reach out to Sanjay Trivedi at strivedi@quantumlifecycle.com

Thanks for tuning in to The Circular Future. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

Interested in joining us as a guest? Reach out to Sanjay Trivedi at strivedi@quantumlifecycle.com.

Listen to more episodes at https://quantumlifecycle.com/podcast, and stay connected with us on LinkedIn.

Send us a text

What if your junk drawer is quietly holding cash, critical minerals, and a few nagging data risks? We sit down with Stephanie McLarty, Head of Sustainability at Quantum Lifecycle Partners, to map a simple, secure path from clutter to circularity. From reducing impulse upgrades to choosing certified recycling, this conversation turns good intentions into easy wins you can apply today.

We dig into the environmental stakes—toxins in landfills, lithium-linked fire risks, and the high emissions cost of new manufacturing—and show how reuse and responsible recycling conserve resources while supporting digital equity. Stephanie explains why only 22% of electronics get formally recycled, how “electronic hibernation” traps value in closets, and which habits actually cut your bill: shutting laptops down, flipping power bars off, and stretching refresh cycles. For anyone nervous about privacy, she breaks down DIY wiping versus certified data sanitization, the R2v3 standard, and what to expect from trusted providers so your information stays yours.

If budget matters, you’ll learn how refurbished devices deliver like-new performance at 30–70% less, what warranties and certifications to look for, and when it makes sense to repair instead of replace. We wrap with a practical toolkit: inventory your tech, flag data-bearing devices, use verified dropoffs, and set a clear cutoff for “just-in-case” backups. Small moves add up fast when they’re convenient, safe, and aligned with how nature works—no waste, just value in the right place.

If this helped you take one step toward a cleaner tech life, follow the show, share it with a friend who hoards cables, and leave a quick review to tell us which device you’re retiring first.

Thanks for tuning in to The Circular Future. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

Interested in joining us as a guest? Reach out to Sanjay Trivedi at strivedi@quantumlifecycle.com.

Listen to more episodes at https://quantumlifecycle.com/podcast, and stay connected with us on LinkedIn.

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We explore how circular thinking creates real business value, from lower costs and resilient supply chains to new product lines and revenue. Andrew Telfer shares practical case studies and simple steps any company can take to move from linear to circular.

• industrial symbiosis turning outputs into inputs
• upcycling examples from juice pulp to ginger beer
• traditional manufacturing reusing offcuts for new lines
• circularity linked to climate action and net zero
• reduce, reuse, recycle as an operational playbook
• frontline insights to locate and fix waste
• shorter supply chains improving resilience
• product-as-a-service and subscription tools
• collaboration across sectors to unlock value

Thanks for tuning in to The Circular Future. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

Interested in joining us as a guest? Reach out to Sanjay Trivedi at strivedi@quantumlifecycle.com.

Listen to more episodes at https://quantumlifecycle.com/podcast, and stay connected with us on LinkedIn.