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HappyPorch Radio: Circular Economy & TechnologyThe Circular Economy technology podcast Author: Barry O'Kane
The Circular Economy technology podcast that explores how technology can enable the transition to a circular economy. As we face major global issues such as climate change, waste crises, and biodiversity loss, it's clear that the traditional linear economy needs to change. We must transform how we manage resources, make and use products, and deal with materials at the end of their life. A circular economy offers part of the solution, and technology can help make it a reality. Join the podcast to hear from leading experts and digital leaders about the role of technology, software, and digital in achieving a circular transformation. Learn about the latest developments in circularity and how they can be implemented in real-world contexts. Together, we can work towards a more sustainable future. Language: en Genres: Business, Technology Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Exploring Circular Tech: Technology isn't magic - EPR, Eco-modulation and the Data Behind Circular Textiles with Gerrard Fisher
Thursday, 12 March, 2026
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is rapidly expanding into the textile industry, but how will it actually work in practice, and how can brands prepare?In this episode of HappyPorch Radio, Barry O’Kane speaks with Gerrard Fisher, co-founder of WEFT, a company helping brands understand the circularity of their products and prepare for future EPR systems.Gerrard explains how eco-modulation could link the design of products directly to the costs of dealing with them at the end of life. By analysing product data, brands can begin to see which materials, designs and product categories are easier to recycle and which could create higher costs in future circular systems.They also explore the broader opportunity of using this data not just to manage regulation, but to help guide product design, improve recycling infrastructure planning, and give consumers clearer information about sustainability.✨ In this episode:Gerrard explains how Extended Producer Responsibility works and why it’s becoming a major issue for textilesWe explore eco-modulation and how it could financially reward products that are easier to recycle or more durable.Gerrard shares consumer research suggesting shoppers are surprisingly open to small EPR charges on clothing.We discuss how product data can help brands map the circularity of their portfolios and make better design decisions.Barry and Gerrard explore how WEFT prototyped its product using AI coding tools before building a more robust system.We discuss the importance of aligning incentives across policy, business and consumer behaviour to make circular systems work.👤 About our guest:Gerrard Fisher is co-founder of WEFT, a company helping businesses explore the circularity of their products and understand how they may be affected by future Extended Producer Responsibility systems.WEFT works with brands to analyse product data, generate circularity scores, and model how eco-modulated fees could affect product portfolios and business costs. Gerrard has extensive experience in product stewardship and waste policy, focusing on how data can help build more effective circular systems.📌 Mentioned in this episode:WEFT - https://www.weft.org.uk/CalRecycle PRO application - https://calrecycle.ca.gov/epr/textiles/textileproapp/🌍 About HappyPorchHappyPorch is a purpose-driven software engineering consultancy focused on the circular economy.Learn more: https://www.happyporch.com💌 Subscribe to HappyPorch Circular NewsHappyPorch Circular News is our monthly newsletter for people working in and around the circular economy and technology.Subscribe at:https://www.happyporch.com/newsletter/🎙 Explore the Circular Economy Podcasts GuideWe’ve created something new: the Circular Economy Podcasts Guide. After 9 seasons of HappyPorch Radio and years of discovering other brilliant shows on circularity, we realised the podcast space needed a central, searchable place to explore the best voices in circular innovation.Browse at:https://circulareconomypodcasts.guide/▶️ Listen and subscribeStream this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, iHeart, Pocket Casts — or wherever you get your podcasts..Visit https://www.happyporchradio.com to explore more episodes.
