Launch of the world’s first Circular Handshake for commerce
Stockholm, Sweden – November, 2024
Today marks a significant milestone in the future of commerce as we proudly announce the launch of the world’s first Circular Handshake, an initiative aimed at transitioning the sector towards circular business models. Although the handshake is barely launched it has already attracted signatures from companies with a turnover of almost 1,4 billion euros.
The concept of the Circular Handshake was born at the 2024 Future of Commerce event in Marbella, Spain, where founders and CEOs of 100 companies gathered to discuss the future of the sector and the imperative transition to circular business practices. Post-event, tech entrepreneur and host Martin Wettergren, together with circular economy expert Elin Bergman, explored ways to accelerate this transition. Inspired by a successful initiative within Sweden’s construction sector, Ms Bergman proposed the idea of a “Circular Handshake”, containing significant and measurable steps to take towards circular business models.
Goals of the Circular Handshake:
♺ Reduce: Minimise waste and resource consumption.
♺ Redesign: Innovate product design to enhance sustainability.
♺ Repair and upgrade: Extend product lifespans through repair and upgrades.
♺ Reuse: Promote the reuse of products and materials.
♺ Recycle: Increase recycling efforts and efficiency.
We invite all stakeholders in the commerce sector to join us in this groundbreaking initiative. By signing the Circular Handshake, businesses commit to taking measurable steps towards implementing circular business models.
“The overall goals with the Circular e-commerce handshake, Reduce, Redesign, Repair, Reuse, and Recycle are all in line with what PO.P aims for with our circular business model. By participating in the circular handshake, we want to work alongside other leaders in their industries to advance a more circular economy, which we see as essential not only for the health of our planet, but also for the sustainability of our business over the long term.” – Johan Munck, ex CEO of Polarn O. Pyret
“We now see an unprecedented amount of interest in circular economy from companies, and they see it as a business opportunity, but there is still a lot of knowledge missing on how to move forward. If we can help the whole industry to move in the same direction, aiming for the same goals, then I believe the transition will go much faster. Collaboration is the key to circularity.” – Elin Bergman, Circular Impact Officer of Cradlenet
Sign the Circular Handshake today:
Read more about the handshake: Circular Handshake Information & Media material
Sign the handshake: Sign here
Contact Information:
Elin Bergman, spokesperson elin@cradlenet.se
Martin Wettergren, project manager martin@soultech.co
