The document discusses the circular economy and its application within organizations, featuring insights from industry leaders like John Davies, Shona Quinn, Lauren Smith, and Trisa Thompson. The importance of circular economy principles is evaluated in relation to organizational revenue, logistics challenges, and innovative business models. It highlights projects aimed at sustainability, waste reduction, and community development, including GM's initiatives for zero-waste manufacturing and resource reuse.

1. The Circular Economy: What Is It, and How
Could You Apply the Concepts?
Moderator: John Davies, Vice President & Senior Analyst, GreenBiz
Shona Quinn, Sustainability Leader, EILEEN FISHER
Lauren Smith, Project Manager, Renewable Energy & Sustainability Metrics, General Motors
Trisa Thompson, Senior Vice President & Chief Responsibility Officer, Dell Technologies

2. John Davies
Vice President & Senior Analyst, GreenBiz

4. 4%
25%
28% 28%
15%
1%
8%
22%
35% 34%
3% 3%
9%
30%
56%
I don't know Not at all
important
Not too
important
Somewhat
important
Very Important
Two Years Ago Today Two Years From Now
How important are circular economy principles
to your organization two years ago, today,
and two years from now?
(revenue greater than $1 billion)

5. 5

6. 2% 1% 0%
11%
85%
0% 0% 0%
10%
90%
1% 1% 1%
10%
88%
I don’t know Not at all important Not too important Somewhat important Very important
less than $100 million $100 million to $1 billion >$1 billion
When considering the challenges of transitioning
to a circular economy, how important is
logistics to its success?

7. Trisa Thompson
SVP & Chief Responsibility Officer

9. (Re)thinking:
Business Model
Customer

10. (Re)thinking:
Design & Time
Supply Chain
Processes

11. Sector Alignment & Pathways

13. WASTE:
A RESOURCE
OUT OF
PLACE
Lauren Smith
Project Manager,
Renewable Energy &
Sustainability Metrics

14. GM’S WORLD VIEW
ZERO
CRASHES
ZERO
EMISSION
S
ZERO
CONGESTION
TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION &
COLLABORATION WILL
HELP UNLOCK THIS FUTURE
GM is committed to a future of:
GM aspires to be the first automaker to achieve
ZERO-WASTE MANUFACTURING

15. WATER BOTTLES = VEHICLE PARTS
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FURTHERING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT

16. SHIPPING CRATES = RAISED GARDEN BEDS
PROVIDES RESIDENTS AND SOUP
KITCHENS WITH NUTRITIOUS, LOCALLY
GROWN FOOD
OVER 2000 SHIPPING
CRATES
TURNED INTO RASIED
GARDENS IN DETROIT

17. MATERIALS MARKETPLACE
• FACILITATES COMPANY-TO-
COMPANY INDUSTRIAL REUSE
• Matches traditional and non-
traditional waste streams with new
product and revenue opportunities
• ACTIVE MARKETPLACES
• Ohio; Tennessee; Austin, TX;
Southern California
• GM INITIATIVES
• Ohio River scrap reuse
• Building envelope designs

18. The Circular Economy: What Is It, and How
Could You Apply the Concepts?
Moderator: John Davies, Vice President & Senior Analyst, GreenBiz
Shona Quinn, Sustainability Leader, EILEEN FISHER
Lauren Smith, Project Manager, Renewable Energy & Sustainability Metrics, General Motors
Trisa Thompson, Senior Vice President & Chief Responsibility Officer, Dell Technologies