New speakers announced for Resource event

Resource, UBM Built Environment Live’s new conference-led trade show focusing on resource security and the circular economy, has announced that Unilever, Virgin and Marks & Spencer will join the debate on the circular economy at the event in March.

According to UBM, the three companies will share information on how they have collaborated with supply chain partners and the cost and materials savings made possible from closed loop models. Other firms joining the speaking programme include Zero Waste Scotland, think tank Chatham House, The Green Alliance and Agency of Design.

Event details

Taking place at London’s ExCeL centre between 4-6 March 2014, Resource aims to become the ‘first and only’ free event to ‘connect the whole supply chain to collaborate on waste and resource issues and drive the growth of a circular economy in Europe’.

Over the three days, executives from across design, retail, manufacturing, extraction and resource recovery will come together to share ‘the commercial opportunities of recovering and preventing resource from becoming waste’ and promoting sustainable growth through a closed loop economy. 

The event will showcase real examples of the circular economy in practice, and feature a series of free workshops that will allow attendees to evaluate waste – from design and manufacturing through to packaging and end of life.

Supporters include CIWEM, The Institute for Sustainability, RSA, Green Alliance, and the Carbon Trust.

“An urgency to act”

Speaking of the event, Resource Event Director, Stephen Gee, said: “The circular economy is not a new concept, but it represents a recognition that the global supplies of important materials are finite, and in some cases, under serious threat. Now is the time for major corporations and SMEs to take steps to protect their businesses and adopt new models that will allow them to embrace recycling, reuse, repair, whilst capitalising on the growing ‘service over ownership’ model…

“[The] Resource event is driven by the belief that a resource constrained world demands new thinking and an urgency to act to insulate the supply chain against volatility and the threat of uncertain supply. Those who don’t act now will suffer huge business risk of fluctuating materials costs and supply chain disruption… the opportunity is to move now and make the most of the way consumers are embracing companies that act sustainably.”

Read more about the Resource event and bringing about the circular economy.