What exactly is a circular economy?
In simple terms, it means that products are made from recycled materials, and they themselves are intended to be easily reused or recycled. Hence a circle is formed.
Last year, experts predicted that plant-based food is here to stay and that seems to be the consensus for 2022 as well, especially as consumers who haven’t tried a vegan or plant-based cuisine yet are beginning to show an interest in it.
I came across a headline from Nestle that said they were launching a 'vegan' KitKat to ride the wave of the plant based diet that has surged during this pandemic.
The new 'KitKat V' bar will be available later this year in a number of countries around the globe. There has been no word on the ingredients used to create the plant-based offering, but Nestlé has confirmed it is made from 100% sustainable cocoa.
Having thought about the production process, miles travelled for product, and then the packaging I'm not quite sure this really is as 'vegan' as is claimed?
It certainly seems that the 'plant based' die hard committed vegan communities on social media are not as amused either.
I tried 'going Vegan' in 2020 mainly because my youngest Daughter got me to look at the science behind eating meat, so I gave it a go for 9 months and decided that I still missed meat in my diet but have since adjusted to 90% vegan diet - and of course wine is the end product from plant based products as well aren't they?
Heineken recently released its first alcohol-free draught beer on a mass scale in the U.K. just in time for Dry January, while a wave of new shops dedicated to zero-proof cocktails and booze-free batched cocktails are emerging:
But what does this have to do with other areas of retail consumption we might ask?
Fashion companies face the constant challenge of having to guess which and how many garments they will sell months before they are available for consumers to buy.
The speculative nature of the supply chain has led to rampant overproduction and waste, further compounded in recent years by the explosive growth of fast-fashion.
But what’s the alternative?
What do you think - fad, or a growing and sustainable change in consumer mindset and behaviour?
"We believe that the circular economy provides an opportunity to innovate, driving superior business results, and better customer loyalty," adds Ms Caylor. "If we can align incentives for customers, business and the planet - that's the win."
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