TED talk: How to design the circular economy

TED talks contain ideas worth sharing, and when it comes to the sustainability crisis we need great ideas - fast. Today our economy works against the environment by creating pollution and waste, which we need to change. Small change, like doing the same thing but a bit less bad, won't work. For a fundamentally different outcome, the solution needs to be something fundamentally different from business as usual.

In this TEDx talk, Queen's Award winner Mart asks "Can one person redesign the economy and make sustainability a reality?" Starting with simple questions, through the journey with his brother Rob and the team building the first open access, circular economy for fashion, it will help anyone interested in sustainability and #circulareconomy issues learn how to apply and build real solutions today - now. Dear Mr. Bin Man is a roadmap for how we can save our planet, first eliminating waste, then using technology to build and scale a new kind of future.

[louiseannatfreeyourspirit]

I am 53 years old and I have been recycling since it was 15. I am crying throughout this video because the world at large is still trashing our environment with our waste. However, I now have the exquisite joy to be able to do something helpful to clean and care for the planet along with my daughter, and our customers - through this man’s radical and award winning Eco business concepts. And I can tell you that these people have it sussed on all levels and never stop making their business more solution oriented. They are game changers and activists in real time. Unlike most businesses, their expansion means less future waste, less future toxins, less future energy pollution and less future landfill - their expansion means more environment regeneration now, more recycling and repurposing now, more creative clothing now and more education to the ones who will listen, now. We are so glad to be involved in your story, Sir. We came for the organically farmed cotton we got so much more - You guys inspire us everyday to do better. Amazing talk - well done, for again bringing your life passion to the table, however vulnerable you feel. 🙌🏻

[lorrainebarnfield]

Mart, I LOVE how your mind works! Tell your Mum, she did a great job of teaching you how to think. I swear 90% of the world's problems are caused by people who simply don't think. They complain, the play the part, they follow the rules but they never question why and they rarely seek to be the change they're looking for. You are truly inspiring xx

[azzer]

Awesome talk Mart! Can't wait to share this with my team at work, to help us all look at 'waste' and the 'rules' from a totally different perspective. Thanks Teemill. 👌🏻

[bekkajaine]

Thank you for an excellent talk highlighting the insanity of the world we live in. I have never been able to comprehend how people appear to care so little about this beautiful planet. Proud to be a Rapanui customer.

[stage]

Loved this talk. It's great what you've done in innovating such a sensible and earth friendly way of creating and recycling clothing! I hope more and more companies will keep adopting your business model!

[SmolCloud]

crying after watching this, thank you guys SO much

i would love to work with teemill one day

[marthacyclinginlondon]

V impressive, have just bought some Rapanui clothes so will be contributing to the circular economy. we also did this when we were younger by remaking clothes.

[EverydayAthleteRach]

What a cracking talk, shared on my socials. Everyone needs to be thinking this way.

[DeanOkaiSenior]

I like your story and I've signed up to your site. I'm now designing my shop and have designed a couple of products. Power to your elbow and your ethics.

[debbie]

The world need more people like you ❤🙏

[lucehm]

So thankful I accidently found your website! This is a touching story and so inspiring on so many levels. Thank you!

[robertdonald]

Absolutely fantastic can't wait for al the other industry to catch up with this approach to manufacturing. Keep up the great work

[emmageraghty]

Love this! Totally agree, 40% wastage on the cutting room floor is crazy. Bright minds and creative problem solving is the way forward, circular fashion with quality natural materials. We need to change the way the world and business works and take control of our decisions and outcomes.

[roand]

Flippin’ brilliant. Really well put together Mart. Inspiring.

[LukeBancroft]

Absolutely fantastic. Brilliantly executed.

[VitalMedia-qlzy]

Very inspiring, I like your ethic and determination to do something worth doing well. Thanks...

[kellyallen]

Great talk, love your ethos and your products.

[ellisbrigham]

Great talk and delighted to now be working with you guys

[govgan]

Interesting talk, and you are right the linear process from consumer to trash, is farcical. Manufacturers need raw materials, it's usually their biggest cost as a percentage. Enabling a system that send them a raw material that would have been trash, and turning it into a usable raw material to start the process again is the only sensible solution.

[moman]

Such an awesome, flowing and enthralling ted talk! Excellent public speaking skills and engaged me for the whole time on a topic which some may feel is ‘boring’. Informative and progressive!