I'm J.J. Ramberg, and this is Local to Global, the Power of Small Business, a podcast series from G0's Blue Circle Studios, produced in partnership with MasterCard.

We live in a world of incredible choice. Take planning a vacation. We get to choose where we go anywhere in the world. We choose our hotel,

where we want to eat, what we want to do, how long we want to stay. But one of the other things

we get to choose is what kind of impact we're having on our planning. What if on that vacation,

you wore clothes that you bought secondhand, traveled with a suitcase that you've repaired and replaced parts on over the years, and stayed in a hotel made from upcycled building materials and running its own water recycling system.

That's the way many people are starting to think.

Consumerism's relationship to environmental sustainability is rapidly evolving, and small businesses

around the globe are tapping into the growing market for circular goods and services.

It's a market that consumers are demanding, and a smart way to recapture value in the

life cycle of a product.

Participation in this economy isn't just good for the planet.

It is good for business.

It can cut costs, unlock new revenue, reduce dependency on volatile supply streams.

Notable examples include the booming secondary market for fashion online and the use of deconstruction as a sustainable alternative to traditional demolition.

By designing with reuse and longevity in mind and offering seamless ways for consumers to embrace

circular choices, companies can do well financially while also doing good for people and the

planet. The global circular economy is estimated to still be under 10% of the total economic activity,

but there is significant room for investment in growth.

Joining us to talk about the potential here is Ellen Gikowsky, Chief Sustainability Officer at MasterCard.

Ellen, thanks so much for being here.

Thanks, JJ.

And also Rachel McShane, the chief financial officer at Deepop,

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