Materials & Recycling
Nature recycles everything. Waste from one process is the input for another. Circular material systems are gaining traction now too. Humans are part of nature so it makes sense that product designers, manufacturers, and cities are learning to treat materials as valuable resources that circulate through the economy many times. It’s efficient, it’s a competitive advantage, and it improves lives.
This category highlights the people, companies, and organizations creating systems where materials are reused, remanufactured, recycled, composted, or designed to safely return to nature. Innovations range from reuse and more durable items, to advanced recycling technologies and biodegradable materials, to large-scale industrial symbiosis, where the waste from one process becomes the input for another.
The result is a natural shift toward living within natural material limits, while increasing our enjoyment, our prosperity, and our health.
Find out about breakthrough recycling technology turning low grade plastic like fishing nets into high grade material with virgin plastic qualities. And plastic collection programs that give back to the low-income communities they come from. Do a little Bliss Scrolling (TM). Give your mind a refreshing drink of the rising reality!
Closed Loop Partners
Investment firm building the circular economy.
Recover
Fractal invests in farmers making the shift to regenerative agriculture.
SuperCircle
Circular fashion logistics and take‑back platform.
Big Reuse
Nonprofit reuse stores and composting organization in New York City.
Build Reuse
Investment firm building the circular economy.
The Ocean CleanUp
Non-profit that develops technologies to rid the oceans and rivers of plastic.
Plastic Bank
Plastic recovery platform paying collectors and supporting coastal communities, plus a tracking app using blockchain verification.
Oceanworks
Plastic processor and marketplace for advanced recycled plastics and materials with the same utility as virgin plastic.
threadUP
Online resale marketplace for secondhand apparel reselling 90% and recycling the rest.
SK tes
Global IT asset disposition and electronics recycling company with verified carbon reporting for scope 3 emissions.
Cruz Foam
Compostable foam packaging company made from upcycled food waste.
Bureo
Recycled fishing‑net materials company, with 30+ clothing and gear partners including easy to separate fabrics at end of clothing life.
R.world reuseables
Hassle free delivery, pick-up and sanitizing of cups and foodware to events and venues.
Trellis Impact
Conference with closed loop, carbon drawdown, decarbonization, power, and finance tracks.
Back Market
Sells professionally refurbished phones, laptops, and tech as an alternative to buying new.
Rheaply
Reuse inventory service and marketplace for store and office furniture, fixtures, and equipment.