Latest news with #circularity
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Youth turn AI into practical fixes for sustainability at EmpowerME Hackathon
Hackathon winners spotlight café water reuse, points to trees, and mycelium packaging Teams also explore waste mitigation, customer engagement, and greener supply chains Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Ten youth teams convened at the EmpowerME Hackathon to build AI‑powered solutions to real sustainability challenges in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on ideas that can move quickly from prototype to pilot in retail operations and communities. Set against the backdrop of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, the competition, hosted at University of Jeddah, emphasized practical routes to circularity, efficient resource use, and greener cities — areas where data and AI can accelerate measurable progress. Participants explored how AI can help businesses and customers reduce waste, conserve water, and improve environmental performance, echoing national efforts to scale green innovation and future‑ready skills among Saudi youth. Winning ideas First place went to Nuqta ('every drop counts'), an AI‑enabled system that captures leftover liquids from unconsumed café drinks, pre‑filters them, and classifies them for safe reuse — such as floor and table cleaning, humidification, or watering indoor plants — tracked via a live dashboard. Early estimates suggest stores could reduce freshwater use by up to 40% per month, with applications beyond cafés to restaurants, universities, and offices. The runner-up, My Green Rewards, turns Starbucks Rewards points into real tree-planting in partnership with the National Center for Vegetation Cover, using generative AI to select optimal planting sites and send customers location and photo updates, with contributions logged on a national platform. Third place, MycoLoop, replaces fossil‑based protective and secondary packaging with mycelium‑grown inserts and trays cultivated from natural fibers, then dried into sturdy, compostable forms — preserving brand experience while simplifying disposal and cutting single‑use waste. Teams also made progress in other priority areas, including: Customer engagement and participation: An AI‑powered 'Green Points' layer in the Starbucks app that personalizes challenges and rewards based on purchase patterns, adds in‑store live impact screens and QR micro‑content, and pilots a 'Take instead of Toss' corner for unsold bakery items — translating intent into daily action aligned with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. Greener supply chains: An AI‑enabled, solar‑powered smart‑warehouse concept to optimize storage, picking, and distribution, supported by generative‑AI planning tools and dashboards to monitor energy use, emissions, and environmental performance across the network. Advancing national priorities Designed to engage Saudi youth in solving real-world sustainability challenges, the EmpowerME Hackathon used AI prompting to help teams turn research into viable concepts. The initiative built awareness of local and global environmental issues while equipping students with future-focused skills in teamwork, critical thinking and responsible AI use. Objectives included deepening engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Saudi Vision 2030, developing practical and scalable ideas with local sustainability impact, and fostering collaboration and ideation. The EmpowerME Hackathon was organized by the Starbucks Foundation, Alshaya Group, and INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA, in partnership with Barakah. As part of EmpowerME, a USD 6 million, three-year initiative to equip 250,000 youth across MENA and Türkiye with entrepreneurship, employability and green innovation skills, the hackathon aimed to help Saudi youth apply AI to measurable sustainability challenges in retail and communities. 'EmpowerME is about more than ideas; it's about outcomes,' said Mohammad Mahmoud Al Najjar, Senior Vice President, Starbucks at Alshaya Group. 'By giving young people the tools, confidence, and platform they need, we're seeing complex sustainability challenges turned into practical, testable solutions: reusing café water, turning loyalty points into trees, and replacing plastic packaging with mycelium. It's a powerful signal of what youth‑led innovation can deliver for Saudi Arabia's sustainability agenda.' INJAZ Al-Arab equips youth to drive the economies of the Arab World forward through hands-on learnings and mentorships designed to inspire them to develop ambition, entrepreneurship, and professional skills. Akef Aqrabawi, CEO, INJAZ Al ‑ Arab/JA MENA, added: 'INJAZ Al‑Arab brings regional expertise in youth entrepreneurship and work readiness. Hackathons like this are where ideas become prototypes; partnerships like this are how prototypes become jobs and startups. That is how EmpowerME will contribute to the region's socio‑economic future — by equipping the next generation to build the businesses and careers a sustainable MENA economy needs.' Barakah, a Saudi recycling and circular-economy company that helps businesses recover materials, reduce landfill, and turn waste into value, supported the program as an industry partner. Barakah offered internship opportunities to selected participants, while team members also mentored students and served on the judging panel. 'At Barakah, we believe that tackling food waste and building food security starts with bold ideas and local action,' said Bader Alheraish, Head of Partnerships at Barakah. 'It's inspiring to see so many young innovators using technology to address these challenges head‑on. Events like EmpowerME are crucial for nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs who will lead Saudi Arabia toward a more sustainable and resilient future.' By grounding innovation in national priorities, the EmpowerME Hackathon showed how youth‑led concepts can advance Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative — from circular water use and biodegradable materials to urban greening and low‑waste logistics. Each winning solution embeds clear metrics (such as liters of water reused, trees planted, packaging waste avoided) and uses AI as a practical enabler for smarter classification, site selection, personalization, planning, and monitoring, making the path from prototype to pilot both credible and measurable. Taking action Organizers are exploring pilot pathways for the top concepts, including in-store water-reuse tests, a points-to-trees integration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover, and packaging trials with delivery partners — prioritizing measurable impact, customer experience, and scalability. The EmpowerME Hackathon is just one part of a larger movement to equip underserved youth — including young women, refugees, and vocational students — with practical skills and opportunities. In its first year, EmpowerME has already reached over 10,000 youth in five countries, with plans to expand further. -Ends- The Starbucks Foundation The Starbucks Foundation strengthens humanity by transforming lives across the world, with a focus on enabling community resiliency and prosperity and uplifting communities affected by disaster. Established in 1997, The Starbucks Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization under U.S. law. Learn more at Starbucks Stories. Starbucks at Alshaya Group Starbucks® Coffee Company, the international coffeehouse and roastery chain, operates in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Central Asia regions as a licensed franchise under the umbrella of Alshaya Group, one of the world's leading brand franchise operators. As the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the region, Starbucks at Alshaya Group seamlessly integrates global coffee expertise and local knowhow. Starbucks at Alshaya Group is all about nurturing the human connection, bringing together local communities and delivering memorable customer experiences. We work to ensure the highest standards of quality and excellence in bringing you an ethically sourced, high-quality cup of Arabica coffee. Serving up coffee and connections to draw our world closer, Starbucks at Alshaya Group currently operates more than 2000 stores in 13 countries in the region. Learn more about your perfect cup of Starbucks coffee: INJAZ Al‑Arab INJAZ Al‑Arab, a leading non‑profit organization operating in 13 countries in the region, harnesses the mentorship of business leaders to help inspire a culture of entrepreneurship and business innovation among Arab youth. INJAZ Al‑Arab equips Arab youth to drive the economies of the Arab World forward through training designed to inspire them to develop ambition, entrepreneurship, and professional skills. EmpowerME EmpowerME is a strategic initiative by the Starbucks Foundation and Alshaya Group, delivered in partnership with INJAZ Al-Arab and Habitat Association Türkiye. The program is designed to foster entrepreneurship, employability, and green innovation among youth facing systemic barriers.
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ecore International Strengthens Playground Offerings with Acquisition of Pro-Techs Surfacing
LANCASTER, Pa., August 07, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ecore International, a global leader in circularity that drives sustainability and reduces environmental impact by transforming reclaimed rubber materials into innovative, high-performance products, today announced the acquisition of Pro-Techs Surfacing, LLC ("Pro-Techs"), a leading playground surfacing installer. This acquisition expands Ecore's leadership in the safety surfacing market and further enhances the offerings of its recreational and playground brands: Surface America, SpectraTurf, and Duraplay. Headquartered in Copley, Ohio, Pro-Techs has installed over 2 million square feet of safety surfacing and is recognized nationwide for excellence in playground surfacing. As a long-standing Ecore customer, Pro-Techs delivers International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) certified solutions that consistently meet or exceed American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for performance and safety. All Pro-Techs surfacing products are soft and environmentally safe, further advancing Ecore's commitment to delivering high-performance, sustainable solutions. "This acquisition is another important step toward fulfilling our vision for Ecore to rid the world of rubber waste with the capabilities and scale to grow into key markets," said Art Dodge, CEO of Ecore International. "What sets Pro-Techs apart is not only their quality and technical expertise, but the heart and strength of their team. Together, we will be well-positioned to deliver greater value for our customers, drive innovation, and reinforce our commitment to sustainable, circular solutions." "This acquisition is an important step in Ecore's mission to deliver safer, more sustainable surfaces to communities across the country," said Kal Krishan, President of Ecore's Outdoor Surfacing Unit. "Success starts with people, and Pro-Techs has established itself as a trusted partner to playground surfacing stakeholders, sharing Ecore's commitment to quality and safety. We are thrilled to welcome them to Ecore as we continue to drive innovation in materials science and surface technology, delivering reliable, high-quality products that benefit communities, schools, and parks nationwide." For more information about Ecore, visit About Ecore Ecore is a transformational rubber circularity company. Built on a legacy that began in 1871, we are leading our industry's circular economy founded on the magic of rubber—a material with a proven past and the potential to reinvent the future. Like rubber itself, we are constantly flexing and finding new challenges to solve, new performance properties to engineer, and new uses for this infinitely reusable material. Headquartered in Lancaster, Pa., Ecore serves customers in more than 75 countries, designing innovative technologies and solutions for many industries, including rubber reclamation services, rubber materials, commercial and performance surfacing, play surfacing, industrial components, transportation, and agricultural products. Ecore brands include Ecore Athletic, ECOsurfaces, Centaur, QT Sound Insulation, A-Turf, Surface America, SpectraTurf, Ecore Industrial, Ecore Reclamation, Ecore Materials, itsTRU® Technology, and TRUcircularity™. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Media Contact: FGS Global, Ecore@
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Crocs, Inc. (CROX) Goes Green with Bio-Circular Clogs
We recently compiled a list of Crocs, Inc. stands fourth on our list and has been making waves for its bio-circular clogs. Crocs, Inc. (NASDAQ:CROX), headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, is a global leader in casual footwear, best known for its Classic Clog made with proprietary Croslite material. The company operates two major brands—Crocs and HEYDUDE, and distributes products across more than 80 countries through wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. In 2025, Crocs, Inc. (NASDAQ:CROX) is prioritizing sustainability and circularity as core to its business strategy. According to its 2024 Comfort Report, the company has integrated 25% bio-circular content into its Croslite material, reducing emissions per pair by 5% compared to 2023 and 10% since 2021. The business has also expanded its 'Old Crocs. New Life.' take-back program to all 183 of its stores in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, supporting recycling and reuse efforts. A notable product innovation includes the Keep It Going Classic Clog, made with 25% post-consumer recycled content, representing a move toward closed-loop product design. On the social front, the corporation' STEP UP TO GREATNESS initiative now supports over 3 million young people through partnerships with organizations like UNICEF and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Given its strong financials, sustainability-driven growth, and ongoing product innovation, Crocs, Inc. (NASDAQ:CROX) is increasingly being viewed by value investors as one of the cheap stocks to buy in the consumer discretionary sector. Through these efforts, the company is aligning its operations with its core pillars, Comfort for the Planet, Communities, and All People, cementing its role as a sustainability leader in the footwear industry. Further global expansion of these initiatives is expected in the coming year. While we acknowledge the potential of CROX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Circle-8 Powers Reju's Circular Textile Network in UK
With an estimated 700,000 metric tons of non-reusable textile waste generated in the United Kingdom each year, the region is overdue for real solutions. Paris-based textile-to-textile recycler Reju and London's Circle-8 Textile Ecosystems are betting that infrastructure—not intention—is what will make circularity possible. The two partnered to launch a new automated textile sorting and preprocessing (ATSP) facility aimed at supplying high-quality feedstock to Reju's regeneration network and, ultimately, further facilitate the UK's circular textiles ecosystem. More from Sourcing Journal Kearney: Circularity Enters the Moderate Mainstream UK Loosens Trade Restrictions for Developing Apparel-Producing Nations What Textile-to-Textile Recyclers Want From EU Legislation That means Circle-8 will supply Reju's future European 'regeneration hubs' with post-consumer textile waste feedstock, processed at its inaugural digitized ATSP facility. The resulting material powers the production of Reju Polyester, an infinitely regenerable fiber with half the carbon footprint of virgin polyester. 'Working with Circle-8's growing ecosystem and ATSP enables us to elevate the efficiency of the textile recycling process—making it easier and more precise—resulting in a premium product meeting Reju's high standard for polyester,' said Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju. 'As more consumers and clothing producers become aware of the importance of keeping textiles out of landfills, it's critical to have automated, streamlined processes and facilities in the places where the textile waste is.' The new plant builds on momentum from Reju's first demonstration site—Regeneration Hub Zero—which opened in Frankfurt last October with the capacity to produce up to 1,000 metric tons of recycled polyester annually. Also announced were the larger ambitions already underway: the Technip Energies-owned company is targeting both additional European regeneration hubs and a U.S. plant by 2027. Ideally, this partnership can build the critically-needed infrastructure for fiber-to-fiber recycling, the partners said, 'laying the groundwork for a scalable, transparent circular textile ecosystem.' 'Reju and Circle-8 share an unwavering commitment to unlocking true, indefinite textile-to-textile recycling here in the UK and around the globe,' said Cyndi Rhoades, co-founder and CEO at Circle-8, noting the partnership highlights the importance of cooperation and innovation in turning textile waste into a resource. 'With global regulatory bodies enacting coordinated efforts addressing the issue, Reju and Circle-8 are dedicated to scalable solutions meeting regulatory demands and achieving a more sustainable future.' In May, Circle-8 acquired a single-line sorter from Denmark waste management solution provider, NewRetex. This launched the circular network developer's first 25,000-ton-per-year ATSP plant. The sorter is partially funded by the Autosort for Circular Textiles Demonstrator (ACT UK) project, supported by Innovate UK. The same month, Circle-8 also shared plans to scale a system of ATSPs, intending to convert non-reusable textiles into feedstock for high-volume recyclers, while also forging the partnerships needed to accelerate fiber-to-fiber recycling. Both announcements were made around the same time that Reju tapped Chemelot Industrial Park in the Netherlands as the site of its first industrial-scale regeneration center. Once operational, the Sittard plant should regenerate the equivalent of 300 million garments annually. It will also produce 50,000 metric tons of recycled PET (rPET) each year, which will be repolymerized into Reju's proprietary PET and spun into Reju's proprietary polyester. The Chemelot facility is the Netherlands' first large-scale textile-to-raw-material recycling plant, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Climate Policy Minister Sophie Hermans. In June 2023, the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) led a 4-million-pound (roughly $5 million) project to develop and pilot an ATSP through the Autosort for Circular Textiles Demonstrator (ACT UK) two-year plan. As a major partner, Circle-8 received a good chunk of change from Innovate UK's multi-million-dollar grant (alongside a consortium of 21 industry partners) to design and develop a blueprint for the UK's first ATSP. As a key member of ACT UK, Circle-8 works with value chain stakeholders to validate the circular textile systems economy. Through its independent collaboration with Tomra, Circle-8 pulls from the tech firm's existing experience (Tomra was the main technology provider for the world's first ATSP in Sweden) to develop solutions designed for this future ATSP in the UK. ACT UK is building on sorting approaches that are coming to market in countries including the Netherlands—where regulations state that textile producers are responsible for what happens to their products after use—as well Sweden, home of Renewcell, and Spain, which recently saw apparel leaders like Inditex, H&M and Mango partner to form the Association for Textile Trash Management. The UK's approach aims to innovate by combining and advancing existing technologies, while supporting emerging ones, to overcome the current barriers to material circularity. Sign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
13-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Farm Rio Introduces Resale Option, Adding To Brand's B-Corp Goals
Farm Rio's new Closet-to-Closet resale program. A significant tenet of B Corp status revolves around circularity. Many fashion brands have recently added services or platforms that allow customers to trade in clothing, typically in exchange for credit towards future purchases. The practice is so ubiquitous that it has spread to other consumer product categories; to wit, eco-friendly and development-oriented children's toy company, Lovevery, just introduced a resale marketplace for its products. Brazilian sustainable-minded brand Farm Rio, which has touted sustainable practices since day one via a tree-planting program, is adding to its circularity efforts with the launch of its 'Closet-to-Closet' program in conjunction with market-tested resale platforms, ThredUp and Poshmark. While both will operate differently, each speaks to the second-hand clothing market mindset that offers new consumers the opportunity to own a piece of the brand at a lower cost and allows current customers to avoid past purchases ending up in a landfill. It also adds to funds spent on future purchases. In today's shopping climate, it also speaks to Poshmark, known for its democratic brand assortment, allows customers to avoid the tedious step of photographing and uploading sale items manually on its site by directly syncing with the Farm Rio website which pulls an image of the item based on the customers purchase history—thus highlighting the tech scope of online shopping logged into an account versus guest checkout. Once the item posting is created automatically, the seller approves the listing before going live. Once a piece is sold, proceeds go straight to the seller in the form of cash. ThredUp works slightly differently and may appeal to those looking to free closet space immediately. Farm Rio customers receive a prepaid shipping label to ship eligible Farm Rio clothing, accessories, or shoes to ThredUp. Customers choosing this receive a Farm Rio gift card for a shopping credit to be used on something new. According to brand spokesperson and marketing specialist Camilla Pinto, the timing of the initiative spoke more to a vibe. "Circularity has always been part of our ethos, and Closet to Closet is a natural evolution of that commitment. With resale becoming a more mainstream and meaningful way to reduce fashion waste, now felt like the right time to join the movement and invite our community to extend the joy of Farm Rio pieces," she noted. Farm Rio's new Closet-to-Closet resale program. It's also an interesting time to feed the US resale market, which some industry voices believe will strengthen in demand in light of ongoing trade wars due to tariffs. Goods resold within the US are not subject to the import taxes regardless of the primary origin. And resale culture has permeated the US shopping landscape. "The U.S. has a strong resale culture and an enthusiastic Farm Rio community, so it made sense to launch Closet to Closet here first as the starting point to build momentum before expanding globally," Pinto said. Like many brand retailers, working with a third-party for an arm of the business that doesn't typically exist in its business model. Poshmark and ThredUp are popular platforms that offer intuitive, accessible experiences. "Rather than building resale into our own channels, partnering with platforms our customers already know and trust allowed us to launch quickly and at scale, while keeping the process simple and seamless," she continued, noting it requires constant oversight. "There are varied experiences with third-party platforms, so we will have ongoing dialogue with our partners to ensure the program feels positive and rewarding. Our goal is to make circularity easy to engage with, and we're listening closely so we can continue to improve the customer journey," she added. The initiative follows the release of the brand's fifth sustainability report in 2024, which highlights its achievements in ESG. It's fair to note the colorful-print brand, whose 1997 founding ethos in Rio de Janeiro included planting trees each step of the way, was ahead of the curve in terms of fashion giving back in some way what it takes from Rio's new Closet-to-Closet resale program. The report highlights that to date, the Certified B-Corp company has donated 1,500,000 trees and reforested nine million square meters. It's invested 1.9 million Real dollars in wildlife and can quantify 18,759.23 tons of CO2e compensated. Farm Rio also works with the Brazilian indigenous Yawananwa peoples from the Amazon, thus helping communities become self-sustaining. Circularity efforts include the use of responsible fabrics, donating 5.98 tons of fabrics to garment collectives, and recycling efforts globally amount to over 73,000 tons of materials remaining out of landfills. The brand also held its first-ever sample sale with four editions globally that kept 22,770 pieces circular. 'Closet-to-Closet' will surely add to that figure on the brand's next report, as Pinto noted. "We're continuing to explore new ways to grow our circularity efforts—both through retail and beyond."
