Episode Details

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Alice Casiraghi is a designer in the circular economy, an expert in sustainable food systems and climate tech, and a master lecturer on how to rethink business for a greener future.

Alice isn’t just talking about sustainability — she’s redesigning the way we think about waste, business, and the world around us. Instead of fixing problems after they happen, she believes we need to stop creating them in the first place.

🔗 Find Alice on LinkedIn and Instagram

Takeaways from Alice’s episode:

1️⃣ Why recycling won’t save us — and what willRecycling is the last resort, not the solution. The real game-changer? Designing waste out of the system from the start.

2️⃣ Business needs a circular rethinkMost businesses focus on profit first and impact later. The future belongs to those who make sustainability profitable from day one.

3️⃣ Consumers, companies, and governments are all connectedIt’s not just up to individuals or businesses. System-wide change needs all three working together, from policy shifts to better business models.

4️⃣ The economy isn’t broken, it’s outdatedOur post-WWII growth model was built for a different time. Now, we need to rethink how we produce, consume, and design everything.

5️⃣ Stay curious or stay stuckThe biggest barrier to change? Not asking questions. Challenge assumptions, look outside your industry, and rethink what you take for granted.

In this episode we cover:

00:00 Introduction to Alice Casiraghi

03:17 A Passion For Design & Sustainability

04:19 Challenges in Sustainability and Circular Economy

06:21 The Historical Context of Climate Change

09:53 Starting Points for Sustainable Design

11:38 Recycling: A Misunderstood Solution

14:14 Innovative Reuse Initiatives

18:10 The Role of Legislation in Sustainability

23:32 Collaboration Over Competition in Global Sustainability

28:21 The Meat Debate: Veganism vs. Sustainable Practices

32:34 The Feminist Perspective on Animal Farming

33:29 The Environmental Impact of Fishing Practices

34:35 Consumer Responsibility in a Profit-Driven Industry

36:21 The Role of Citizens, Government, and Businesses

40:10 Education and Reskilling for Sustainability

43:03 Rethinking Business Models for Sustainability

46:57 Habits For Sustainability

51:19 Lessons from Space for Earth Sustainability

56:30 Global Innovations in Sustainability