Latest news with #circularity
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Phone Arena
We may all own flagship phones one day and it's thanks to something you're ignoring now
We've all got that one topic that gets our heart racing the moment it comes up – where you suddenly go into debate mode, just waiting for someone to say the wrong thing so you can unleash your full passion. Well, I've got a few of those, to be honest, but one of them is definitely the don't worry, I'm not about to glue myself to a highway or throw soup at a famous painting. My love for the planet is a bit more... everyday. It is in the little actions, the habits and, yes, even in how I think about tech and sustainability. That's why I was honestly pretty excited when I heard Nothing is planning to support its upcoming Phone (3) with up to 7 years of updates. That is a big move. And the way I see it, the more brands that follow Google, Samsung and Apple's lead, the better the industry – and maybe even the planet – might look in a few years. So, why do I say this? Well, for starters, not everyone swaps out their phone every year or two. Plenty of people out there hang on to theirs for as long as they possibly can. Take me, for example – I am still rocking my iPhone 13 mini. It's still getting the latest iOS updates and as long as that continues, I've got zero reason to let it this isn't just about people holding onto phones for longer. When we talk about the environment, we have to speak about circularity – basically, keeping devices in use for longer to cut down on emissions from stuff like manufacturing and supply chains. That's what's known as Scope 3 emissions, and for smartphones, manufacturing alone accounts for a whopping 70 to 90% of their total lifecycle emissions. So yeah, making phones last longer isn't just nice – it's a big deal for the planet. A global survey of over 13,000 mobile users across 32 countries found that people actually care about this stuff. Around 90% said they want phones that are durable, easy to repair and supported with software and security updates for a long time. Shocker, right? Turns out, we're not all just chasing the next shiny thing. Upgrade cycles are slowing down. | Image credit – GSMA And the numbers back this up: upgrade cycles are slowing down, now averaging around 3.5 years globally. New phone sales dropped 15% between 2021 and 2023, while sales of used and refurbished phones climbed by the same percentage. Nearly half of consumers surveyed said they'd consider a refurbished phone next time around – and the biggest reason? No, not the planet! But I believe you guessed it: saving money. That's also exactly why longer software support is becoming more important than ever. When you're done playing around with your shiny new iPhone or Galaxy phone, someone else might want to pick it up and give it a second life. You get some cash back, they get a great new phone (new to them, at least) and the planet gets a break. Win-win-win. This is exactly why I'd love to see more brands stepping it up. And I am looking especially at you, Motorola. You've got some gorgeous phones – like the Razr Ultra (2025) with top-tier specs – but where is the long-term support it deserves? Come on, Moto. Help us out said, I do think the pressure is working. Sooner or later, they will all come around. Because it is not just consumers demanding more – regulators are also starting to push for greener, more sustainable practices. And when that pressure builds up from all sides, change isn't just possible – it's kind of inevitable (now, imagine a praying emoji here). Well… not exactly. Just throwing out longer software support policies doesn't automatically make a phone better – or more useful in the long run, as OnePlus' president Kinder Liu once suggested. The reality is, it's not just about getting updates. It's also about whether your phone can actually run those updates smoothly without feeling like it's begging for why longer support actually makes sense mostly for… well, flagships. You know, phones and tablets that are built to last and still feel powerful a few years down the line. These don't lose value as fast and stay relevant longer in terms of hardware, too. While we don't have up-to-date stats for top-selling refurbished phones from this year or last, a quick look back at 2022 shows a pretty clear trend: iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 8, Galaxy S9 Plus, iPhone 12 Pro Max, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy S21 Ultra... see where I'm going with this? The S24 Ultra was the first to receive a 7-year update promise from Samsung. | Image credit – PhoneArena Yep – every single one of them is a flagship. And believe me, things haven't changed much since. Refurbished high-end phones are a steal. I mean, you can grab the Galaxy S23 Ultra right now for around $479 on Amazon – and that's still a beast of a phone. And if you want something newer, the Galaxy S24 Ultra from last year goes for about $688 and is expected to get updates until 2031. That's potentially up to Android 21. Not too shabby for a "used" phone, right?But again, that logic works for flagship phones. I really don't see a budget phone like the Galaxy A06 needing seven years of updates. Nah. That thing's not built to matter that long – hardware-wise or otherwise. Flagship phones for all?!? | Image credit – PhoneArena So yeah, longer software support means refurbished phones are about to get a serious glow-up – and that's not just great for the planet, it also means that in the not-so-distant future, we could all be walking around with a flagship in our about it. As prices drop each year when a new model comes out and updates still keep rolling in, picking up even a 3- or 4-year-old flagship could be a way smarter move than going for a brand-new cheap phone that's also only going to stay relevant for a couple of years anyway. And this shift will only get stronger as new regulations kick in. The EU is already pushing phone makers to bring back some old-school sensibility: phones that are easier to repair, with swappable batteries (yes, really) and parts that don't cost an arm and a leg to replace. That pressure has already made a difference. Apple's iPhone 16 is the most repairable iPhone in ages – and thanks to this push, there's even talk that Apple might bring back user-replaceable batteries by 2027. That's huge. Samsung's been moving, too. When it announced 7 years of OS updates for the Galaxy S24, it also expanded its Samsung Care self-repair program to cover more models and more components, giving users more freedom to fix things on their own. Now, sure – some people will say these long update promises are just PR fluff. And to be fair, they kind of are. But that doesn't mean they don't matter. If these moves help shift the industry in a greener direction and keep our planet going just a little longer, I say let the companies flex. As long as the end result is better for all of us, I'm here for it. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase This offer is not available in your area.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Ex-H&M CEO Helena Helmersson On Circulose's Recycling Reboot With Mango
Garment's made from re:newcell's Circulose pulp, Paris Textile Salons, New York, USA - 16 Sep 2019 ... More (Photo by Dominique Maître/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images) After hinting at big news during the recent Challenge the Fabric (CTF) conference, Circulose CEO Jonatan Janmark today announced the textile recycler's first brand partnership after emerging from bankruptcy in 2024. 'We're proud to partner with the forward-thinking brand Mango and support their high ambitions in circularity' said Janmark. "Their strong commitment brings us one step closer to restarting the factory and sets a powerful example for the industry. We hope it will inspire other brands to follow their lead.' Circulose is a regenerated textile 'pulp' from 100% waste fabrics, spun into recycled fibres similar to cotton or viscose. The recycler aims to valorise textile waste while decreasing brands' dependence on higher-impact 'virgin' fibres, which face increased European regulation and scarcity due to climate change. With brands, including Mango, setting environmental targets with 2030 and 2050 deadlines, prioritising recycled materials is one way of reducing company emissions, and supply chain risks. Circulose, formerly Renewcell, closed its factory after going bankrupt in February 2024 then relaunching in November with new investors Altor, Janmark as CEO and ex-H&M Group CEO, Helena Helmersson as chair of the board. Andrés Fernández, Mango's Sustainability and Sourcing Director shared Janmark's pride about today's announcement: 'We're proud to be the first brand to partner in Circulose's new phase and look forward to working closely together to advance our shared circularity goal'. He added: 'This collaboration marks a significant step on our sustainability roadmap as we strive to exclusively use fibres with lower environmental impact by 2030." The roadmap also includes sourcing regenerative cotton to tackle emissions, improve biodiversity and safeguard farmer health and resilience. Framing the partnership as far from a pilot or one-off 'collab', he indicated enduring business integration: '[The partnership] reflects our commitment to fostering a more circular and responsible fashion ecosystem, where innovation and environmental stewardship go hand in hand'. In an interview conducted as the announcement went public, Helmersson explained that there will be another brand partnership announced soon, despite the tough geopolitical and economic climate. The positive news is reassuring, since Circulose's business-model of old was viewed a major barrier to scaling its first-of-a-kind chemical recycling technology. Helmersson says her contribution to Circulose's new chapter lies in her ability to see the proposition from a brand's vantage point. 'It's easy for me to have a brand perspective – I know why it's hard [to implement such initiatives in the face of] unpredictability, with tariffs effecting margins and other challenges'. So how should brand CEOs weigh these partnerships, and integrate them into their businesses? 'When you are the CEO you have a responsibility to make it simple [for your business to implement] . For example, if you have buyers looking at circular materials that come with the premium, the cost [should be] taken from the top [not solely from their buying budget]". Janmark had stated during the CTF conference in May this year that Circulose would be offering a package of 'value-added services' to brand partners, including product development support, a fabric library to guide brands in replacing existing fabrics with Circulose ones, and access to a supplier network of fiber spinners and textile mills. The package constitutes a licensing model, including large-scale implementation, such as transition planning, supply chain orchestration, and traceability, according to today's company statement. The recycler's new pricing model was developed in collaboration with non-profits Fashion for Good and Canopy as part of a broader effort to accelerate brand adoption of 'next-generation' (low-waste/low-impact novel) materials. Despite their promising credentials, 'next-gen' materials have been unable to compete with 'higher-footprint' cheaper incumbents, remaining consigned to pilots and small 'capsule' collections that have faltered when it comes to industrial scaling. Helmersson was instrumental in H&M Group's sustainability investments while COO and then CEO between 2018 and 2024, overseeing direct investments in supply chain decarbonisation that have since placed H&M at the top of NGO annual scorecard of brands phasing out fossil fuels. But as tariffs bite, and decarbonisation of energy remains the sure-fire and measurable action to reduce emissions fastest, why might brands adopt Circulose now, especially when it comes at a premium? 'Mango has a progressive sustainability agenda and their management team sees sustainability as integrated. I think overall, certain companies choose to lead, usually based on 3 things: and seeing sustainability as an area that will make [the] business more successful'. While those who act based on goodwill are in the minority, they are the first movers on long-term resilience-enhancing solutions such as new materials, according to Helmersson. She also notes that while brands 'must go deep, not broad and shallow" into their supply chains and decarbonise operations, they 'should always look at consumer-facing stories too, to connect with [consumer] values and create the relationship to move away from only transactions'. When it comes to instigating more action from brands on sustainability initiatives, and the three motivators she posits, she has a stark outlook. "The more unpredictable the world becomes, the more [leaders] can [justify] deprioritising goodwill," she says. 'I am a big believer in more regulation in this area – I don't believe much in goodwill'. Stand by for my follow-up article where Helmersson reveals the required leadership and conditions for CEO action on sustainability.
Al Bawaba
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Henkel Consumer Brands MEA Sets Sustainability Benchmark with Gold Award for Circular Packaging
Henkel Consumer Brands Middle East & Africa (MEA) was awarded the prestigious Gold Award for Sustainable Brand Owner of the Year at the Prime Awards MEA 2025 in Dubai, recognising its efforts to drive circularity and advance sustainable packaging in the award follows the successful rollout of the Gliss recycled PET initiative, which introduced 50% recycled PET bottles across the Gliss shampoo range in MEA markets, a significant step toward promoting more responsible consumption and building infrastructure for circular packaging at scale.'Sustainability in this region comes with unique challenges, from varying local regulations to gaps in recycling infrastructure,' said Valentina Reveron, Head of Packaging for Henkel Consumer Brands MEA. 'This initiative combined technical innovation with practical, region-specific execution, and it has set a new benchmark for the beauty and personal care sector.'A key milestone was the shift to localised production of recycled PET bottles in Türkiye, enabling regional sourcing, reducing transport emissions, and supporting local manufacturing. The move also improved supply chain resilience, a crucial factor in a diverse and dynamic region like initiative contributes to Henkel's global 2025 sustainability targets, which include reducing virgin plastic use by 50%, ensuring all packaging is recyclable or reusable, and using 30% recycled plastic across the entire Consumer Brands portfolio. By bringing sustainable innovation to scale in MEA, Henkel underscores its Purposeful Growth Agenda, proving that real environmental impact is possible when global ambition meets impactful regional action. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba ( Signal PressWire is the world's largest independent Middle East PR distribution service.
Al Bawaba
05-06-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
PUMA's Voices of a RE:GENERATION Present 2024 Sustainability Report for Young Audiences
Sports company PUMA is making its 2024 sustainability report accessible for young audiences with the help of video and social media content created by the Gen-Z environmentalists that are part of the Voices of a RE:GENERATION initiative. The Voices, who joined PUMA in 2023 to advise the company on its sustainability strategy, will summarize the complex content of the report and focus on the issues that matter most to young audiences, including climate change and circularity. In doing so, they offer fresh takes on PUMA's environmental priorities, while reflecting the concerns and expectations of Gen-Z. 'As a brand, we know that publishing sustainability data isn't enough. Today's consumers want clarity, action and accountability and they want it communicated in ways that resonate,' said Kerstin Neuber, Senior Director Corporate Communications at PUMA. 'The Voices will help us share our challenges and achievements in a way that's accessible, honest and rooted in the issues young people want to know more about.' In its 2024 sustainability report, PUMA details the tangible process it's making to lower its carbon footprint across both its own operations and supply chain. This includes setting science-based targets, increasing renewable energy use and working closely with suppliers to drive measurable reductions. The brand is also stepping up its approach to circularity. In 2024, it reduced waste to landfill by 87.8% per footwear pair and diverted 99% of fabric waste from landfill, with the majority reused or recycled. To address material choices, PUMA has committed to sourcing deforestation-free bovine leather by 2030 and is partnering with the Textile Exchange and cattle farmers in Brazil to support both animal welfare and protect critical forest ecosystems that store vast amounts of carbon. It's also expanding initiatives like RE:FIBRE, the brand's textile-to-textile recycling programme, to cut reliance on virgin polyester and lower the environmental footprint of its products and packaging. PUMA achieved its goal of making 9 out of 10 products from recycled or certified materials and made further progress with its sustainability targets, such as lowering its greenhouse gas emissions. The full report, containing more than 200 pages, was published in late April. As a result of its 'Conference of the People' event in London in 2022, PUMA made it a priority to be more proactive in communicating its sustainability strategy to younger audiences. New research commissioned by PUMA shows that more than half (55%) of 18–27-year-old consumers globally believe brands aren't being transparent enough about their environmental impact. Reducing carbon emissions is one of the top priorities for Gen-Z when it comes to responsible production, with one in four (25%) identifying it as a major concern.
National Post
04-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
PUMA's Voices of a RE:GENERATION Present 2024 Sustainability Report for Young Audiences
Article content HERZOGENAURACH, Germany — Sports company PUMA is making its 2024 sustainability report accessible for young audiences with the help of video and social media content created by the Gen-Z environmentalists that are part of the Voices of a RE:GENERATION initiative. Article content The Voices, who joined PUMA in 2023 to advise the company on its sustainability strategy, will summarize the complex content of the report and focus on the issues that matter most to young audiences, including climate change and circularity. In doing so, they offer fresh takes on PUMA's environmental priorities, while reflecting the concerns and expectations of Gen-Z. Article content 'As a brand, we know that publishing sustainability data isn't enough. Today's consumers want clarity, action and accountability and they want it communicated in ways that resonate,' said Kerstin Neuber, Senior Director Corporate Communications at PUMA. 'The Voices will help us share our challenges and achievements in a way that's accessible, honest and rooted in the issues young people want to know more about.' Article content In its 2024 sustainability report, PUMA details the tangible process it's making to lower its carbon footprint across both its own operations and supply chain. This includes setting science-based targets, increasing renewable energy use and working closely with suppliers to drive measurable reductions. The brand is also stepping up its approach to circularity. In 2024, it reduced waste to landfill by 87.8% per footwear pair and diverted 99% of fabric waste from landfill, with the majority reused or recycled. Article content To address material choices, PUMA has committed to sourcing deforestation-free bovine leather by 2030 and is partnering with the Textile Exchange and cattle farmers in Brazil to support both animal welfare and protect critical forest ecosystems that store vast amounts of carbon. It's also expanding initiatives like RE:FIBRE, the brand's textile-to-textile recycling programme, to cut reliance on virgin polyester and lower the environmental footprint of its products and packaging. Article content PUMA achieved its goal of making 9 out of 10 products from recycled or certified materials and made further progress with its sustainability targets, such as lowering its greenhouse gas emissions. The full report, containing more than 200 pages, was published in late April. Article content As a result of its 'Conference of the People' event in London in 2022, PUMA made it a priority to be more proactive in communicating its sustainability strategy to younger audiences. New research commissioned by PUMA shows that more than half (55%) of 18–27-year-old consumers globally believe brands aren't being transparent enough about their environmental impact. Reducing carbon emissions is one of the top priorities for Gen-Z when it comes to responsible production, with one in four (25%) identifying it as a major concern. Article content More information about the Voices of a RE:GENERATION initiative can be found on PUMA's FOREVER. BETTER. website, and the individual Instagram channels of the Voices. Watch Aishwarya Sharma's content here, Andrew Burgess's content here, and Luke Jaque-Rodney's content here. Article content PUMA Article content PUMA is one of the world's leading sports brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories. For more than 75 years, PUMA has relentlessly pushed sport and culture forward by creating fast products for the world's fastest athletes. PUMA offers performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories such as Football, Running and Training, Basketball, Golf, and Motorsports. It collaborates with renowned designers and brands to bring sport influences into street culture and fashion. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs about 20,000 people worldwide, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
