CEC London 8th Anniversary Alumni Showcase: "Where Are They Now?"

"Where Are They Now?" - Discover the incredible journeys of our CEI London alumni who have transformed their circular economy ideas into thriving, impactful businesses. This inspiring afternoon will showcase the success stories of companies that presented to our community in the early days and have since grown to become leaders in the circular economy movement.

ALDStone - a multi-award-winning London based company. Founded by Susana, they provide, ALDStone FUF, the world’s first reusable dry lay underlay which optimises reuse with a range of flooring material (e.g. ceramics, terrazzo, carpets, LVT, woods, laminate, RAF). Their unique product is modernising flooring installation and deconstruction. They support customers such as H&M Group in future-proofing their flooring assets. ALDStone offers unrivalled benefits and opportunities for design flexibility which were previously unavailable.

BEEN London - Circular fashion trailblazers turning waste into beautiful accessories. This innovative brand creates bags and accessories from leather offcuts, paper made from disposable coffee cups, and zips from recycled plastic bottles - proving that waste can become desirable, premium products with full circularity including take-back services.

Biohm - Bio-manufacturing pioneers developing the future of sustainable construction materials. Founded by Ehab Sayed, they use mycelium fungus and food waste to create carbon-negative building materials including insulation, panels, and hard boards that challenge conventional construction practices. They've won nearly £575K in funding including the Waitrose Plan Plastic Prize.

Library of Things - The pioneering "borrow don't buy" movement that started as a South London experiment in 2014 and has now inspired a global network of sharing libraries. Co-founded by Rebecca Trevalyan, their smart-locker system across London enables communities to access tools, equipment, and household items affordably while reducing unnecessary consumption.

NOTPLA - Earthshot Prize winners revolutionizing packaging with seaweed-based solutions that disappear naturally. Co-founded by Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez and Pierre Paslier, they've secured £20M+ funding and replaced over 16 million single-use plastic items. Their edible "Ooho" bubbles and compostable takeaway containers are now used by major companies including Just Eat, Compass Group, and at iconic venues like Twickenham Stadium.

Packamama (formerly Garçon Wines) - Revolutionary sustainable packaging innovators creating eco-flat wine bottles from 100% recycled PET. Their breakthrough flat-pack design saves 84% energy in production and has partnered with major retailers including Tesco and Aldi across Europe and Australia, winning multiple packaging innovation awards.

Rype Office - Circular economy office furniture specialists who remanufacture high-end furniture to reduce carbon emissions by over 80%. Led by Greg Lavery, they've remanufactured over 30,000 furniture items, saving millions in costs while creating local employment. Notable projects include the UK Green Building Council's record-setting low carbon office refit.

Tech-Takeback - Not-for-profit e-waste champions led by Dr David Greenfield (CIWM President and CEI Vice President). Since 2016, they've been collecting and refurbishing unwanted electronics, securely erasing data, and redistributing devices to combat digital exclusion. Named UK lead for the United Circles project, they partner with Brighton & Hove City Council and are reshaping how we think about electrical waste.

"Success Stories" Panel Discussion

Fireside chats with founders discussing:

• The journey from CEI London presentation to commercial success
• Key challenges overcome and lessons learned
• Show and tell
• The role of circular economy principles in their growth
• Advice for current circular economy entrepreneurs

"Building Circular Communities" Networking

Connect with fellow circular economy enthusiasts, current entrepreneurs, and industry professionals while enjoying sustainable refreshments.

• Circular Economy Entrepreneurs seeking inspiration and practical insights
• Sustainability Professionals looking to connect with innovative suppliers and partners
• Investors and Business Leaders interested in the commercial potential of circular business models
• Students and Researchers studying circular economy and sustainable innovation
• Local Government Representatives supporting London's transition to a circular economy
• Anyone passionate about waste reduction and sustainable living

This showcase is proudly co-branded with ReLondon's Circular Economy Week (October 20-26), bringing together London's circular economy community to demonstrate "place-based action in cities."

Since 2017, CEC London has hosted 25 live events with over 1,000 attendees, creating a vibrant community of circular economy innovators. Our alumni represent the proof that circular business models aren't just environmentally necessary - they're commercially viable and scalable.

The combined impact of our speakers is staggering:

• £40M+ in funding raised collectively, including prestigious backing from National Geographic Society, Heineken, and Prince William's Earthshot Prize
• Multiple B Corp certifications including the global "Best in World Environment" winner
• Millions of items rescued from waste - from bread slices to plastic bottles to coffee grounds
• Major corporate partnerships with companies like Just Eat, Tesco, Costa Coffee, and JLL
• Thousands of tonnes of CO2 avoided through innovative circular solutions

London's circular economy is already worth £11 billion and could grow to £24.2 billion by 2030. These alumni companies demonstrate how circular principles can drive innovation, create jobs, and build resilient businesses for the future - they are the living proof that the circular economy transition is not just possible, but profitable.

The Circular Economy Institute London chapter is part of the global CEI network, now integrated with the Circular Economy Club (CEC) under the unified mission of "Moving the world beyond waste." We bring together entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and changemakers committed to accelerating the transition to a circular economy in London and beyond.

Connect with us:

• Circular Economy Institute
• Circular Economy Club London

Can't make it in person? Follow our social media channels for live updates and key insights from the showcase.

#CEILondon8Years #CircularCitiesWeek #WhereAreTheyNow #CircularEconomy #London

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