Design, Justice & Zero Waste: Exploring Pathways to the Circular Economy

The Tishman Evnironment and Design Center at The New Schooland GAIA invite you to join us at the first Design, Justice & Zero Waste: Exploring Pathways to a Circular Economy conference and research collaborative. You will be part of a discussion with a global audience of innovative and creative eco-minded collaborators including practitioners, researchers, advocates and activists.

As the world’s population increasingly urbanizes and the climate crisis worsens, the global economy will face catastrophic planetary boundaries if we continue to produce and consume at levels set by western standards.

Frontline communities and workers in waste, manufacturing and distribution face disproportionate impacts from environmental degradation and extractive and exploitative industry practices. The conference will focus on how issues of production, consumption and waste impact environmental justice communities, workers and vulnerable populations. We will create a platform for participants to engage with researchers, designers and activists to engage long-term around these crucial issues.

The goal of the conference is to bring together experts from around the world and a variety of fields to share and showcase innovative designs, advocacy campaigns and scholarly research across this often siloed field. Designers, architects, business representatives and activists will come together to discuss the diverse parts of a circular economy. We will create a Circular Action Plan and Research Collaborative for long-term partnerships and information sharing.