Circularity in Action: 2025 Copenhagen Delegation

Embarking on our second Sustainability Delegation to Scandinavia, we once again set our sights on the vibrant cities of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Malmö, Sweden. This year, our focus remained on uncovering the strategies these urban centers employ to foster sustainable innovation, champion circular economy principles, and collaboratively shape thriving, livable communities.

Our delegation of 20 accomplished professionals from the US and Canada, hailing from diverse backgrounds from British Columbia to Boston, brought a rich tapestry of expertise spanning architecture, urban planning, public policy, deconstruction, education, urban agriculture, and beyond. Over the course of eight days, from April 27th to May 4th, 2025, we immersed ourselves in the groundbreaking approaches that define Scandinavian leadership in green and social progress.

Day 1 - Discovering Copenhagen: A Culinary and Architectural Welcome

Our journey commenced in Copenhagen with a thoughtfully prepared lunch at Gro Spiseri,  a unique urban oasis nestled in the Lyngbyvej Øst/Klimakvarteret district. More than just a restaurant, Gro Spiseri operates as a year-round communal hub, complete with its own flourishing rooftop garden and even a charming chicken coop. This direct connection to their source allows them to craft a seasonal menu brimming with the freshest produce and locally sourced seafood, offering a delicious introduction to Copenhagen's sustainable food ethos.

The afternoon unfolded with an insightful two-hour walking tour of the revitalized Nordhavn harbor district, expertly guided by the Danish Architecture Center. Once a bustling industrial port dominating the landscape until the early 1990s, Nordhavn has undergone a remarkable transformation into a dynamic, mixed-use neighborhood. Today, it pulses with the energy of restaurants, residential complexes, innovative design and architecture studios, all set against the backdrop of a vibrant waterfront.

The visionary master plan for Nordhavn prioritizes a mindful approach to urban development. It emphasizes the preservation and adaptive reuse of existing industrial warehouses and historic buildings, seamlessly integrating them with thoughtfully designed, high-performance new constructions. Furthermore, the plan places people at its center, fostering diverse public spaces, inviting promenades, extensive bicycle infrastructure, and convenient metro connections. At its core, Nordhavn is conceived as a collection of interconnected "urban islands," fostering a strong sense of community along the water's edge.

This immersive first day provided a rich introduction to Copenhagen's dedication to sustainability, innovation, and the creation of vibrant urban spaces.

Day 2 - Copenhagen: Ecosystem Introduction and Bicycle City Tour

In the morning, we gathered at State of Green’s office in the heart of Copenhagen for presentations from State of Green, the City of Copenhagen, and CONCITO. As the official green brand for Denmark, State of Green works to strengthen international awareness of the solutions and competences of Danish business and industry within energy, water, climate adaptation, and environment.

Kristine Munkgard Pedersen, representing the City of Copenhagen, presented on the history of Copenhagen’s transformation from a highly industrial port city to a global example of how a city can design for the health and wellbeing of its residents. A key takeaway from this presentation was the concept of communicating through infrastructure. Copenhagen officials frequently are asked by countries worldwide how they ‘make’ their residents ride bicycles as their (overwhelmingly) primary mode of transportation. The response: they make it an easy choice through the infrastructure!

Nicolas Francart from CONCITO then presented their significant work in helping all 98 municipalities in Denmark draft climate action plans to meet the Paris Agreement. Notably, participation in this initiative was voluntary, yet every single municipality across Denmark engaged. It's important to understand that a municipality in Denmark is more akin to a county in the US, often spanning large rural areas in addition to urban centers. 

The funding for this nationwide effort was a collaborative model, with approximately one-third coming from the municipalities themselves and the remaining two-thirds provided by regional and national partners. CONCITO has now implemented a visual tracker, offering transparency into the specific actions each municipality is undertaking within their plans to achieve their climate goals. You can find more information about this initiative here.

Across these presentations, including several on our third day at BLOXHUB, a significant theme emerged: the crucial role of the philanthropic organization Realdania. Realdania has provided substantial funding to numerous initiatives, including the CONCITO project mentioned earlier, various non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and key ecosystem players like State of Green and BLOXHUB. This strategic funding has been instrumental in positioning Denmark as a leader in climate action. It's important to recognize the profound impact of this philanthropic support on Denmark's sustainability ecosystem and economy. This raises a critical question: why is this level of philanthropic leadership seemingly absent in other countries, such as the United States?

In the afternoon, we took a four-hour guided bike tour of the Southern half of the city.

Key urban redevelopments offered compelling case studies in adaptive reuse and modern design. We cycled through the Carlsberg District, the revitalized former headquarters of the world-renowned Carlsberg brewery, now a dynamic neighborhood blending historic architecture with contemporary living, retail, and cultural spaces. We also experienced Sluseholmen, often referred to as "Copenhagen's Little Venice," with its network of canals, houseboats, and distinctive modern architecture, showcasing a unique approach to waterfront living.

The tour highlighted Copenhagen's exceptional bicycle infrastructure. We traversed iconic pathways like The Snake (Cykelslangen), an elevated, winding cycle bridge offering stunning harbor views and seamless connectivity, and The Wave (Bølgebroen), a visually striking series of interconnected bridges that make navigating the waterways by bike a breeze.

Along the city's waterfront, our guide provided a fascinating history of architectural development, pointing out notable landmarks such as:

• The striking Kaktus Towers, with their distinctive plant-covered facades.

• BLOXHUB, Denmark's hub for sustainable urban development and architecture, showcasing innovative solutions for future cities.

• The iconic Royal Library (Den Sorte Diamant - The Black Diamond), an architectural gem on the harbor front.

• The popular Havnebadet Islands Brygge, public swimming pools integrated into the harbor, demonstrating the city's commitment to accessible recreation.

• The distinctive Gemini Residence, two former seed silos transformed into modern apartments with unique cylindrical forms.

• The award-winning Skolen i Sydhavnen, a modern elementary school seamlessly integrated into its community.

A particularly striking observation for our delegation was the design and accessibility of Copenhagen's schools. Unlike the often-fenced and guarded schools common in the US, the schools we encountered were seamlessly integrated into their neighborhoods, functioning much like any other public space – open and easily accessible to all. This stark contrast sparked significant reflection among the delegation members on the different societal values and approaches to public education space between Copenhagen and the United States.

Day 3 - Copenhagen: Deep Dive into Sustainable Urbanization at BLOXHUB

Our third day centered on an immersive exploration of circularity and sustainability at the city scale, hosted at BLOXHUB, the vibrant Nordic hub for sustainable urbanization, situated at Copenhagen's dynamic waterfront. Founded on the conviction that tackling global urbanization and climate change demands innovative collaboration, the BLOX building itself is a testament to this ethos, housing the BLOXHUB organization, co-working spaces for its extensive network of over 350 member organizations, residences, a gym, and the renowned Danish Architecture Center.

We commenced our day with a series of insightful presentations from leading local experts who are driving significant regional and global impact in the built environment:

• Martine R. Kildeby of BLOXHUB warmly welcomed us to this central hub, providing an overview of BLOXHUB's mission and its role in fostering collaboration and innovation for sustainable urban development across the Nordic region and beyond.

• Dani Hill-Hansen delivered a compelling presentation on "Building within (Planetary) Boundaries: Top-down and bottom-up targets." This fascinating overview detailed the groundbreaking work of a collective of scientists and data experts who meticulously calculated the permissible CO₂ emissions per square meter per year for Denmark's construction industry to align with the nation's carbon budget. Their efforts to garner industry support for mandating these CO₂ limits per square meter within building legislation – effectively harmonizing construction practices with the Paris Agreement – were particularly noteworthy. Impressively, over 650 industry partners signed on in support. However, the presentation highlighted the significant resistance encountered from politicians, ultimately resulting in the legally mandated CO₂ limits being less ambitious than initially proposed. This outcome sparked considerable reflection within our delegation: if a nation as progressive as Denmark faces such hurdles in implementing mandatory sustainability targets for a major industry, what are the implications for less pioneering countries striving for similar progress?

• Karolina Bäckman Faulkner from GXN presented "CIRCULAR BY DESIGN: Circularity in the Built Environment." GXN, the strategic consultancy for the built environment affiliated with 3XN architects, provided a captivating overview of their diverse global projects championing circularity and material reuse within the construction sector. Compelling examples included the Quay Quarter Tower in Sydney, where a focus on RETENTION = SAVINGS led to the preservation of 60% of the existing structure and 90% of its core, resulting in a remarkable saving of over 12,000 tons of CO₂ and 130 million AUD in material costs and time. The presentation also offered valuable insights into the critical role of material mapping for effective reuse, recycling, and upcycling, as well as the principles of design for disassembly.

Later in the day, we experienced the unique self-governing community of Christiania, offering a different perspective on urban living and community development. The day concluded with a delightful communal dinner at Hotel Kanalhuset, fostering further discussion and connection among the delegation members.

Day 4 - Copenhagen: Exploring Innovative Projects and Sustainable Infrastructure

Our fourth day was dedicated to experiencing firsthand some of Copenhagen's groundbreaking special projects and sustainable infrastructure initiatives across the city.

Our morning began with an engaging presentation at the Troldtekt Showroom. Troldtekt is a leading Danish manufacturer of acoustic panels made from a unique combination of wood fibers and cement. Their products are known for their excellent sound absorption properties, durability, and natural aesthetic, making them a popular choice for ceilings and walls in a wide range of buildings, from offices and schools to cultural institutions and private homes. A key aspect of Troldtekt's philosophy is their commitment to circularity and Cradle-to-Cradle. They actively promote the use of sustainable materials and have developed initiatives for recycling and upcycling their products at the end of their lifecycle. Interestingly, our delegation would later observe some of Troldtekt's reclaimed tiles during our visit to Tscherning House on Day 5.

Next, we returned to the House of Green for an informative presentation from Rockwool. The Rockwool Group is a global leader in stone wool solutions. Stone wool is a versatile material made from volcanic rock, offering a wide array of benefits including excellent thermal insulation, fire resistance, and acoustic performance. Rockwool's products are used in various applications, from building insulation and facades to acoustic ceilings and industrial solutions. The company places a strong emphasis on sustainability throughout its value chain, focusing on energy efficiency in production, responsible sourcing of raw materials, and the recyclability of their products. They are actively involved in promoting circular economy principles within the construction industry.

Our exploration continued with a special behind-the-scenes tour of the ongoing development of Fælledby, Copenhagen's pioneering all-timber neighborhood. This ambitious project, currently under active construction, offered our delegation a unique opportunity to visit the development's showroom and office, which also functions as a fascinating laboratory for testing innovative nature-based materials for potential use on-site and in future developments. A particularly noteworthy aspect of Fælledby is its deep commitment to enhancing biodiversity, with nature and community well-being serving as central design principles. Building on a former landfill site presented unique engineering and environmental challenges, and the project team expressed great pride in the innovative solutions they have implemented to overcome these hurdles. The significant investment from a Danish pension fund underscores the project's viability, demonstrating that sustainability and profitability can indeed go hand in hand.

Finally, we visited the iconic CopenHill Waste-to-Energy Plant. This remarkable facility is a testament to innovative urban infrastructure, seamlessly integrating essential waste management with public recreation. CopenHill not only efficiently converts waste into energy but also features an artificial ski slope, hiking trails, and a climbing wall on its roof, offering year-round recreational opportunities for the city's residents. We toured both the exterior "hill" and the inner workings of the plant, gaining insight into its advanced energy generation processes in real time. We also heard their ambitious plans to scale the capture of carbon emitted from the burned materials. They’ve been piloting this on a small scale. Fun fact, the air that is emitted by the facility is cleaner than the air found in the center of Copenhagen.

Day 5 - Copenhagen: Circular Economy in Action and Architectural Innovation

We began the day with an insightful tour of the Dansk Retursystem Facility in Høje Taastrup, delving into the intricacies of Denmark's highly successful deposit return system (DRS) for beverages. We learned that Denmark operates a single, comprehensive DRS, encompassing 62,578 active SKUs. Established in 2000 with an exclusive right, Dansk Retursystem is a non-profit organization owned by breweries and governed by a Statutory Order, with a Board of Directors composed of key stakeholders. 

The system promotes free choice of packaging, with each packaging type covering its own cost, and circular designed bottles incurring the lowest fees. Producers and importers can even access a free online design guide. A key focus is on bottle-to-bottle recycling rather than downcycling, achieving impressive recycling rates of 99% for glass and aluminum, and 93% for plastic.

Our next stop was the Tscherning House, which we reached after a pleasant walk through quiet suburbs. The company owner personally guided us through their remarkable office space, a testament to circular economy principles in construction. The Tscherning House embodies a transformation principle, utilizing the highest possible degree of reused construction materials, with 89% reused, recycled, and sustainable building materials and furnishings. Notably, 100% of the bearing structures are direct reuse, resulting in a Life Cycle Analysis of 2.57 CO2​e/m2/year. Construction materials are cleverly sourced from demolitions. 

Beyond its environmental credentials, the Tscherning House prioritizes social sustainability, fostering a welcoming and motivating work environment infused with history and atmosphere. Our delegation was so captivated that many expressed a desire to linger in this inspiring space. We were also treated to a delicious lunch of traditional open-faced sandwiches, which some members of the delegation declared to be their best meal and favorite experience of the entire trip.

In the afternoon, we embarked on another exceptional walking tour led by the Danish Architecture Center, revisiting the Carlsberg City District. Building upon our earlier bike tour on Day 2, we further explored how the former industrial buildings in this district have been given new life, seamlessly blending with modern construction and innovative climate protection measures. A standout example was their flood prevention infrastructure, which ingeniously uses green spaces and creative playgrounds that double as temporary water reservoirs during heavy rainfall. This demonstrated a brilliant approach to multi-use, low-impact spaces, maximizing land usage in dense urban areas while effectively adapting to climate change.

Following this, we experienced the unique atmosphere of Cisternerne, former underground water reservoirs transformed into a dynamic art space. This year's exhibition featured a captivating ocean theme. This year's exhibition, "Psychosphere" by Danish artist Jakob Kudsk Steensen, offered an immersive journey into the deep sea, inspired by the emergence of life in volcanic vents billions of years ago. Through video projections, sound, light, and sculpture, the installation explored the profound interconnectedness of all living species and invited visitors to reflect on humanity's role in shaping the future of life on Earth. Steensen's extensive fieldwork, including collaborations with scientific researchers and documentation of deep-sea volcanic landscapes, brought to life a virtual interpretation of these hidden environments, creating a captivating and thought-provoking experience within Cisternerne's unique subterranean space.

Our day concluded with a leisurely stroll through Frederiksberg Park, followed by a delightful dinner.

Day 6 - Malmö: Circularity and Sustainable Design Across the Øresund

We ventured across the Øresund Bridge to learn more about the circularity efforts of Sweden’s third-largest city. We kicked off the day with a presentation from E.ON about smart energy grids. Through advanced grid technologies, automation, and digital solutions, EON optimizes energy efficiency, empowers consumers, and paves the way for a sustainable energy future for Sweden.

Next, Varvsstaden welcomed us to explore their cutting-edge "Material Bank," a dynamic database showcasing the site's materials while highlighting the environmental benefits of recycling and reuse. With a commitment to circular construction, Varvsstaden identified materials within their existing campus that can be repurposed in other buildings, mitigating the need (and cost) for brand new materials. They shared insights into their process for inventorying, dismantling, and storing materials, ensuring every step is transparent, accessible, and measurable.

The first rain of our trip was warmed away with ramen at lunch.

Lastly, we visited Form/Design Center,  the leading platform for architecture, design, and crafts in southern Sweden. Designated by the government as a national node for designing living environments, sustainability is built into the core of much of their existing work. Our members had a lot of fun with the existing exhibits. One interactive exhibit, "Soil Sense Training Facility" by Danish artist Maria Viftrup in collaboration with Jordens Hus (House of Soil), particularly engaged our delegation. This unique installation aimed to cultivate a deeper "Sense of Soil" by inviting visitors to engage directly with various soil matters. Based on research from 30 Nordic scientists, artists, and farmers, the exhibit highlighted soil's crucial role as the foundation of life and an archive of the past, encouraging reflection on our connection to this vital, yet often overlooked, living resource. As you can see from the photos, a lot of fun was had.

Day 7 - Copenhagen: Last Day

Our final full day in Copenhagen began with a visit to the Danish Design Museum, housed in a beautifully repurposed 18th-century hospital. The museum showcases a rich collection of Danish design exports, from iconic furniture and art to fixtures, alongside thought-provoking exhibits that delve into the human experience, our relationship with the environment, and how contemporary design is shifting towards a planet-first approach. For lunch, we enjoyed smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), one of Copenhagen's most recognizable dishes, at Oscar Cafe, a prominent LGBTQ+ friendly restaurant just steps from the museum.

In the afternoon, delegation members broke into smaller groups for some free time to explore other points of interest around the city. Some delved into Copenhagen's vibrant thrift store scene, while others enjoyed the tranquility of the city's major public parks and iconic landmarks. A few even braved a waterfront sauna experience. We reconvened for one last memorable dinner together at Vækst, located in the charming old Latin Quarter. Part of the Cofoco restaurant collaborative, Vækst celebrates local produce in a stunning space designed to evoke the ambiance of a greenhouse, providing a fitting end to our immersive trip.

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About Sustainability Delegations

Circular San Antonio’s Sustainability Delegations offer an opportunity for sustainability professionals to participate in immersive experiences in European cities that are focused on shaping greener, more sustainable urban environments. Open to professionals from all US states and territories, delegation trips cultivate transdisciplinary relationships with peers across the United States that represent geographic, cultural, and professional diversity. Our curated tours allow participants to engage with their counterparts in Europe, establishing transatlantic connections and relationships that can support collaborative efforts on both sides of the Atlantic — an imperative more important now than ever.

We are now accepting applications for our first delegation to Switzerland in October 2025! Apply now to secure your spot.

From the Board: Circularity is Our Future

San Antonio is at a crossroads like much of the world. Post-pandemic, we've experienced struggles of living in a city and community that doesn't wholly meet the practical needs of residents or encourage them to thrive. 

We have two options: to either live as we are, or to co-create a new way. The new way Circular San Antonio proposes is a circular economy - a reimagined way of approaching sustainability and economic resilience.

We're now going to tell you what a circular economy is, our mission to promote it in San Antonio, and how you can get involved.

What is a circular economy?

Dr. Walter H. Stahel, often referred to as the father of the circular economy, describes the circular economy as so:

A 'circular economy' would turn goods that are at the end of their service life into resources for others, closing loops in industrial ecosystems and minimizing waste (see 'Closing loops'). It would change economic logic because it replaces production with sufficiency: reuse what you can, recycle what cannot be reused, repair what is broken, remanufacture what cannot be repaired…

In other words, the circular economy is one that supports the living environment (e.g. humans, plants, and animals) by making trash virtually nonexistent, whether we are buying something new or receiving something used.

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Above: Walter R. Stahel’s book, and the Butterfly Diagram, a common tool for visualizing the circular economy. Click the images to make them bigger!

The traditional linear model of creating new things expects these items to become trash one day. Let’s take a look at this everyday scenario that illustrates a possible journey for these items in more detail.

In this scenario, a construction contractor, an architect, and realtor build and sell residential homes to homeowners. Once a homeowner purchases their new house, they furnish, decorate, and do what they need to make it feel like their home. After enjoying their home for some time, the homeowner might want to sell that home and move into a new house. The process of moving has a lot of moving parts such as figuring out what to get rid of, what new furniture to buy, what needs to be renovated in the new home, etc.

After our wide-eyed homeowners have enjoyed their homes, life calls for them to move again. This starts a new rendition of throwing items away, purchasing new items, and renovating. As this cycle continues, more trash that were once an intentional part of lovely homes ends up in landfills and more houses become abandoned and dilapidated as homeowners move on to new homes.

Let’s take a look at what the same scenario would look like in a circular economy.

A team of architects and contractors build a series of residential homes designed with deconstruction in mind - meaning that they know that at the end of these homes’ lives, every part of the building can be carefully taken apart so that each part can be reused in new projects or recycled. Eventually, excited homeowners move in and make these homes their own by decorating and renovating. Everything that is purchased for their homes is reuse-based, whether the items themselves are secondhand or made of recycled and reused materials.

For a while, these homeowners will enjoy their homes, but will eventually decide that they need a change in their living space and move. Unlike the former linear culture of items going to landfill at the end of life, the circular economy doesn’t involve a landfill. In the circular economy system, homeowners are able to ensure that their items either continue to be a part of their life in the new home or are given another one. They will keep certain items, bring other items to a materials processing center where the items will either be recycled or deconstructed, gift others to friends or family, or do something to ensure that they go to someone who will cherish them.

The homes get to support new lives as well.  The homeowners will of course move into their new homes. As for the previous home, that structure can either be the new home of new homeowners or become an office space for a business or other organization. However, if occupants don’t use this building, professional contractors are able to deconstruct the building because it was already designed with deconstruction in mind. Instead of demolishing the building, contractors instead will carefully deconstruct the building to preserve the different materials that were originally constructed together and will either take the deconstructed materials to the materials processing center or keep the ones that they need.

If anyone reads the above and thinks, I’ve definitely done that before, or Well, my cousins told me they didn’t want their couch anymore so I took it, you actively participate or have participated in a circular economy.

Above: Photos from the City of San Antonio’s deconstruction training, held October 2025. Two buildings constructed circa 1870 were deconstructed versus demolished, resulting in more than 29 tons of building materials diverted from the landfill for reuse in local community projects. Read more about the training here.

Although the term circular economy might be new, this system of exchanging and processing goods has always been relevant. 

Many of us have probably received pre-loved goods in the form of hand-me-down clothes, informal marketplaces (e.g. flea markets, Facebook), passed down toys, or furniture that we grabbed and cleaned from our parents. Some of us view these items with a little resentment and maybe think, I’m tired of getting old things all the time. I just want something new. Others might view receiving these items with a bit of relief and maybe think, Phew…that’s one less thing I need to spend money on. And others might view these items with a bit of nostalgia, thinking, I’m so glad I get to have a part of my childhood in my home.

No matter how we feel about receiving pre-loved goods, one fact is true. All of us got these items through perhaps the most priceless and powerful connection in our lives: relationships. We almost always receive these items from folks who are an important part of our lives at any moment or time, whether we know these folks as a part of our inner circle or meet them briefly through a Facebook marketplace exchange. Our strong relationships with each other are an essential piece of a thriving circular economy. Unfortunately, we are missing another key component of a circular economy: A strong relationship with stuff.

Living in a westernized world where products are more accessible than the backstory behind them gives us a shallow relationship with stuff. In this world, we see what a product can do for our lives before how we can support the life of the product. It is one where we are more concerned about the effectiveness of the products than the people who made them.  It’s one where we care about the efficient and speedy processes which help a product get to our doorsteps more than the resources needed for that journey. This type of world is primed to support today’s linear product-to-trash lifecycle and our shallow relationships with stuff.

And, this relationship actively contributes to a world suffering from a climate crisis, economic inequality, and environmental injustice.

Transforming the state of our world is why Circular San Antonio wants to transform San Antonio’s economy into a circular one. We want to make our community economically and environmentally resilient so that we can withstand any global crises that come our way.

Fortunately, San Antonio is primed to transition into a circular economy.

Our city has a diversity of industries, including but not limited to manufacturing, technology, and military. These industries have a lot of room to make their current waste processing systems more circular, make second-hand equipment more accessible, and to design product systems with the cradle-to-grave lifecycle in mind.

We are excited to say that circularity-focused projects are happening now. Here are a couple of initiatives and projects that we are excited to share about:

1. The HEB Reverse Logistics Center - This center is a fantastic example of what a community-loved business can do to contribute to the circular economy - reusing and valuing resources at all stages. The HEB Reverse Logistics Center distributes store products as resources for the community and processes materials that can be reused internally. This can look like unloading cardboard boxes and returning them to product packing facilities, donating food close to a “best by” date to the Food Bank to ensure that it doesn’t go to waste and much more. We love to see an organization practicing circular principles that benefit the environment and community. In December 2024, our Food Systems Working Group led a member tour of this facility and we hope to bring similar tours to our members this year!

2. Material Innovation Center (MIC) - Did you know that construction and demolition waste is the largest source of waste in the U.S. by volume? Headed by The City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) and Port San Antonio, The Material Innovation Center’s goal is to be the last stop before landfill for building materials. This project is dedicated to preserving heritage crafts such as handiwork and building preservation and creating innovative ways to use post-consumer building materials. The MIC is in a pilot stage currently, and we are excited to see how the center will impact the San Antonio community.

3. The Bus Stop Shade Cover Pilot Project - In Fall 2024, The City of San Antonio Office of Sustainability awarded Circular SA $18,000 to build a bus stop made from majority salvaged materials in collaboration with VIA San Antonio. We are excited to receive an opportunity to contribute to our city in a circular fashion and to give a sustainable solution to Texas’ heat island problem. We are holding meetings with students and professionals about design, choosing a site, materials selection, and more.

4. International Sustainability Delegations - In April 2024, Circular San Antonio organized our first U.S. Sustainability Delegation to Copenhagen. Open to anyone in the country, these delegations offer opportunity for sustainability professionals to participate in immersive experiences in European cities that are focused on shaping greener, more sustainable urban environments. Delegation trips cultivate transdisciplinary relationships with peers across the United States that represent geographic, cultural, and professional diversity. Our curated tours allow participants to engage with their counterparts in Europe, establishing transatlantic connections and relationships that can support collaborative efforts on both sides of the Atlantic. We value knowledge exchange so much - and we’re excited to be returning to Copenhagen in April 2025 with a new delegation!

5. Circular Directory Project - This year, several Circular San Antonio board members are spearheading an effort to develop a local circular directory of businesses and organizations that are helping advance the missions and goals of a circular economy. These include restaurants committed to food reuse; local repair businesses like seamstresses, cobblers, electronic fix-it clinics, and more; thrift stores; refilleries; etc. If you would like to shape this effort, become a member today!

Photos of the 2024 sutainability delegation to Copenhagen exploring sustainable infrastructure, including neighborhood recycling and reuse centers, rooftop urban gardens, parking garages topped with well-utilized public playgrounds, and more.

As much as we value San Antonio’s economic circular potential and the projects happening now , there’s another part of our city that we value more: the people.

We San Antonians are the backbone. We know how to make things happen. We are passionate about supporting families, building relationships with their local and global neighbors, and making San Antonio a welcoming city for everyone. We have the perfect blend of friendliness, passion for service, and desire for advocacy that make the city primed to transition into a circular economy.

We, Circular San Antonio, invite the collective backbone of our city – everyone who wants to make San Antonio a better city of all – to join us in our mission to make San Antonio a more economically and environmentally resilient city. 

Do our mission and vision sound exciting to you? Would you like to get involved with any of our projects? Or maybe do you have new ideas to bring to the table? We’d love to get to know you. Please reach out to us here, or if you’re ready to become a member and get involved, join here.

Circularity in Action: 2024 Copenhagen Delegation

Our first United States Sustainability Delegation to Europe led us to Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmö, Sweden to explore how organizations in these cities cultivate spaces for sustainable innovation, advance circularity, and co-create healthy, livable communities.

Our delegation of 19 professionals from ten states — representing various industries, including architecture, public policy, deconstruction, education, urban farming, and more — explored how Scandinavian cities are pushing green and social innovation. The seven-day program took place from April 14 to 21, 2024.

Day 1 - Copenhagen: Arrival

We kicked off the trip with a lunch at Gro Spiseri, a year-round communal eatery and urban farm in the Lyngbyvej Øst/Klimakvarteret district of Copenhagen. Gro Spiseri maintains their own rooftop garden, including a chicken coop, that directly supplies their seasonal menu with an emphasis on fresh produce and seafood.

Later, we enjoyed a 2-hour walking tour of the Nordhavn harbor district led by the Danish Architecture Center. Once a heavy industrial port area through the early 1990s, Nordhavn is now a dynamic, mixed-use neighborhood full of restaurants, apartments, design and architecture studios, and and of course, the waterfront. The master plan for Nordhavn prioritizes the retention and adaptation of existing industrial warehouses and heritage buildings, thoughtful and high-performing new construction, and people-centered transportation including diverse public spaces, promenades, bicycle infrastructure, and metro stations. At its core, Nordhavn is conceived as an “urban archipelago” or a series of dense neighborhoods on the water.

Despite the windy weather, we took advantage of the playground on top of the Lüders Parking House: a great example of how car-centric infrastructure can be rethought and intentionally designed to become a public amenity. We also stopped by one of Copenhagen’s many neighborhood recycling centers where residents can donate gently-used items to be re-loved by other neighbors.

Additional highlights of the tour included Frihavns Tower (Praksis, 2017), Nordøen (Tredje Natur, Vilhelm Lauritzen, 2024), The Silo (Cobe, 2017), and the headquarters of worldwide architecture firm BIG (BIG, 2023).

Day 2 - Copenhagen: Ecosystem Introduction and Bicycle City Tour

In the morning, we gathered at State of Green’s office in the heart of Copenhagen for presentations from State of Green, the City of Copenhagen, and Kalundborg Symbiosis. As the official green brand for Denmark, State of Green works to strengthen international awareness of the solutions and competences of Danish business and industry within energy, water, climate adaptation, and environment.

Monica Magnussen, the City of Copenhagen’s Head of International Affairs, presented on the history of Copenhagen’s transformation from a highly industrial port city to a global example of how a city can design for the health and wellbeing of its residents. A key takeaway from Monica’s presentation was the concept of communicating through infrastructure. Copenhagen officials frequently are asked by countries worldwide how they ‘make’ their residents ride bicycles as their (overwhelmingly) primary mode of transportation. Monica’s response: we make it an easy choice through them, through our infrastructure!

The City of Kalundborg is located on the western coast of Denmark, a little over an hour from Copenhagen. It’s home to Kalundborg Symbiosis: the world’s leading industrial symbosis, which creates profits through a circular approach to production. Several companies are co-located on a shared campus, sharing resources and spurring innovation to maximize resource use — including production byproducts that would typically be labeled as ‘waste’ in other regions.

In the afternoon, we took a four-hour guided bike tour of the city, exploring green spaces, innovative social infrastructure, and key urban redevelopments, including the Carlsberg District, the former headquarters of the worldwide famous brewery. Cycling through the city with a local was the perfect way for us to get a deeper understanding of several of the city’s neighborhoods - many which we would explore more in-depth in subsequent days.

Day 3 - Copenhagen: Full Day BLOXHUB Immersion

Our third day was all about circularity and sustainability at the city scale. We started at the heart of the waterfront at BLOXHUB, the Nordic hub for sustainable urbanization. BLOXHUB was founded on the belief that the challenges of global urbanization and climate change require new ways of collaboration. The BLOX building houses the organization itself, co-working spaces for several of their 350+ member organizations, residences, a gym, and the Danish Architecture Center. Here, we had several presentations from local experts making regional and worldwide impact in the built environment:

Ditte Lysgaard Vind, BLOXHUB - "Circularity and transformation in the built environment"
Lene Damsbo Brix, Circue - "How to compete with linear construction"
Enlai Hooi, SHL - Schmidt Hammer Lassen - "Future technologies for urban sustainability and livability"

After expert presentations on circularity and transformation in the built environment, future urban sustainability and livability technologies, urban design thinking and co-creation principles, our delegation participated in an immersive workshop led by Lotte Christina Breengaard. The primary challenges emerging were urban sprawl, affordable housing, and adaptive, inclusive infrastructure. Affordable housing remains a top priority, underscored as a fundamental human right. Drawing inspiration from innovative models like those in the Netherlands, our group highlighted strategies to enhance housing accessibility and comfort for all.

Later, we ventured into the unique self-governing community of Christiania, and finished the evening off with a lovely communal dinner at Hotel Kanalhuset.

Day 4 - Copenhagen: Tours of Special Projects & Infrastructure

We spent our fourth day touring special projects and infrastructure in different parts of Copenhagen. We started with a 3-hour walking tour of the Ørestad neighborhood, which features keystone projects like Resource Rows, Upcycled Studios, UN17 Village, and 8 House.

Next, we got a behind the scenes tour of the ongoing development of Fælledby, Copenhagen's first all-timber neighborhood. Actively under construction, our delegation got the special opportunity to visit the development’s showroom/office that doubles as a lab for nature-based materials they're testing for use onsite and in future projects.

Lastly, we visited the iconic CopenHill Waste-to-Energy Plant. This remarkable facility not only harnesses energy from waste but also serves as an recreation spot, most notably skiing without snow. We toured both the hill itself and the plant inside, watching the facility’s energy generation in real time. Fun fact: Copenhagen’s facility is so efficient and can handle such a high volume that several countries in the European Union import their waste to Copenhagen - which is a more overall sustainable option compared to landfilling materials in the host country, when considering the waste’s entire lifecycle and the detrimental impacts of prolonged methane gas released from open and closed landfills. This is another example of a commitment to collaboration amongst peers even outside of Denmark’s borders.

Day 5 - Copenhagen: Tours of Special Projects & Infrastructure

Our tours of special projects continued with a morning visit to VELUX’s Living Places campus. This project is challenging the industry to create responsible and regenerative solutions that benefit both people and the planet. Plus, we got an exclusive look at Living Places Copenhagen—a partner project for the UIA World Congress of Architects CPH 2023—where every detail is designed for sustainability and human health.

Joining us for a guest visit was the CEO of Stykka, Jarl Engelbrecht Vindnæs. He shared a deep dive into their circular furniture designs which are revolutionizing the role of furniture in both residential and commercial contexts, especially kitchens, which they’ve reduced from 350+ component parts to around 60. Their digital twin tech platform makes repair and maintenance a breeze for users and prevents substantial amounts of waste. Keep on eye on this startup - they’re actively exploring entering the United States market!

Next, we spent the afternoon on another exceptional walking tour led by the Danish Architecture Center. Building on what we learned on our bike tour on Day 2, toured the Carlsberg City District where the former industrial buildings are now given new life, and are mixed with modern construction and climate protection. Their flood prevention infrastructure using green spaces and innovative playgrounds doubling as temporary water reservoirs during heavy rain was a great example of multi-use, low impact spaces that maximizes land usage in dense areas — all while adapting to climate change.

We finished the day off by exploring the Frederiksbergmuseerne's Cisternerne. This underground well was originally constructed as a water reservoir for the city and has been transformed into a vibrant contemporary art space, showcasing art installations within its unique subterranean setting. This year they used the space for a sound exhibition by artist Taryn Simon.

Day 6 - Day Trip to Malmö, Sweden

We ventured across the Øresund Bridge to learn more about the circularity efforts of Sweden’s third-largest city. We kicked off the day with a presentation from E.ON about smart energy grids. Through advanced grid technologies, automation, and digital solutions, EON optimizes energy efficiency, empowers consumers, and paves the way for a sustainable energy future for Sweden.

Next, Varvsstaden welcomed us to explore their cutting-edge "Material Bank," a dynamic database showcasing the site's materials while highlighting the environmental benefits of recycling and reuse. With a commitment to circular construction, Varvsstaden identified materials within their existing campus that can be repurposed in other buildings, mitigating the need (and cost) for brand new materials. They shared insights into their process for inventorying, dismantling, and storing materials, ensuring every step is transparent, accessible, and measurable.

We learned about the City of Malmö’s impressive system to catalog reusable materials from buildings across their real estate portfolio and utilize an online marketplace and multiple warehouse to internally reuse and publicly sell materials. The results are sizable GHG reduction and cost savings versus purchasing virgin materials.

At Malmö Citadellsgymnasium, we glimpsed the future of sustainable education. This newly established school offers students the chance to shape a greener tomorrow while building traditions that stand the test of time. Bricks and other materials were reused in the construction.

Lastly, we visited Form/Design Center, the leading platform for architecture, design, and crafts in southern Sweden. Designated by the government as a national node for designing living environments, sustainability is built into the core of much of their existing work. We received a wonderful presentation from the Director, Dorte Bo Bojesen, and a great tour of some of the current exhibits, including "Planetary Boundaries" from the Royal Danish Academy.

Day 7 - Copenhagen: Final Day

Our final day brought us to the Danish Design Museum, located in a repurposed 18th century hospital. The Design Museum features exhibits on Danish design exports in furniture, art, fixtures, and more, plus exhibits that explore the human experience, our relationship with the environment, and how current design approaches are shifting to better prioritize the planet first. Our lunch spot was Oscar Cafe, a key LBGTQ+ restaurant located steps from the museum, which serves one of Copenhagen’s most recognizable dishes: smørrebrød, or open-faced sandwiches.

In the afternoon, delegation members paired off in groups for a casual day exploring additional places of interest, including thrift stores, several of Copenhagen’s major public parks and landmarks, and even a sauna on the waterfront. We convened for one last dinner together at Vækst, located in the old Latin Quarter. Vækst is part of a larger restaurant collaborative called Cofoco and celebrates local produce in a beautiful space designed to mimic a greenhouse.

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From Tamira Samuel, 2024 delegation member:

“For the past 1-2 weeks, I've reflected on the questions from The House of Green presentations, ‘What makes a good life? Who is responsible?’ While there are many answers, and some would argue money and success make a good life with responsibility starting at the individual level to the government.

When I think back over this journey - and my entire life - of what makes a good life...there is ONE answer...

PEOPLE.

I have talked about some of the values and beliefs of the Danish that make their lifestyle easy for many to adjust to. But that is only one aspect of community.

People determine what is of value, share beliefs, customs, traditions, and principles. People make the communities in which they dwell in and are a part of. People build cities. People make the moments that we exist in minute after minute, hour after hour. As the Danish Form/Design School stated, ‘People have been sustaining their lives for thousands of years through innovation - we are not inventing or doing anything new if we look back through history.’

David Suzuki, an environmental activist said, ‘The future doesn't exist. The only thing that exists is now and our memory of what happened in the past. But because we invented the idea of a future, we're the only animal that realized we can affect the future by what we do today,’ our choices as individual people and as a collective impact our ability to sustain the lives that will lead and for who comes after us.

I'm blessed that our delegation of 18 incredible professionals across the U.S. from 10+ states come from different backgrounds, ideologies, and perspectives. We had architects, elected officials, industry leaders in waste and recycle management, climate change, fossil fuels, sustainability development, construction development, and more all with ONE goal in mind to make our cities and communities BETTER for the PEOPLE who live and dwell in them.

This experience and our day to day lives are better because of the PEOPLE who are a part of them in every form - past, present, and future.”

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About Sustainability Delegations

Circular San Antonio’s Sustainability Delegations offer an opportunity for sustainability professionals to participate in immersive experiences in European cities that are focused on shaping greener, more sustainable urban environments. Open to professionals from all US states and territories, delegation trips cultivate transdisciplinary relationships with peers across the United States that represent geographic, cultural, and professional diversity. Our curated tours allow participants to engage with their counterparts in Europe, establishing transatlantic connections and relationships that can support collaborative efforts on both sides of the Atlantic.

We are now accepting applications for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 delegations! We will be traveling to Munich, Germany, October 13 - 20, 2024, and returning to Copenhagen in Spring 2025. Apply now to secure your spot.

Meet the 2024 U.S. Sustainability Delegation to Copenhagen

San Antonio, Texas, March 1, 2024 — Circular San Antonio is excited to announce the 19 delegation members for the 2024 Copenhagen Sustainability Delegation! These US-based professionals represent professional, geographic, and cultural diversity and will embark on a 1-week trip to Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmö, Sweden in April.

A collaborative effort between Circular San Antonio and BLOXHUB, this 1-week trip offers participants a unique opportunity to explore Copenhagen and Malmö's world-renowned circular economy and sustainable urban development efforts, including projects like Copenhill Energy Plant, Danish Architecture Center, Resource Rows, Upcycled Studios, Faelledby, Cisternerne, and many more.

GREG BENCIVENGO, Associate Principal, Slade Architecture — Originally from New Jersey, Greg moved to Brooklyn, NY after earning his Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University in 2013. Sustainability-focused initiatives have been key to Greg’s work ever since he designed a single-family Passive House renovation in Brooklyn. Thereafter, he led a materials research group while at Dattner Architects, served on the Steering Committee for the Design for Freedom (DFF) initiative through Grace Farms in Connecticut, co-developed parts of the DFF Toolkit, and most recently and currently co-chairing the AIA NY Committee on the Environment’s Materials and Circularity subcommittee with former colleague and friend Wei Wang.

Greg is an architect and Associate Principal at Slade Architecture. Greg thinks a lot about how our buildings have been defined by ongoing societal practices, how they have the ability to shape cultural shifts, and how two aspects contribute to a sense of place. He believes that a circular, integrated design model can reinforce this potential by redirecting efforts from the global toward the local and regional environment, economy and community surrounding building design and construction practices.

In his spare time, Greg enjoys biking around the city and upstate NY, skiing, reading short stories, learning the Italian language, cooking and trying new foods. In an effort to understand how architectural thinking can learn from other practices driven by a holistic outlook, Greg has volunteered with a biodynamic farm winery in Vermont for the last 3 fall harvests. As a side project, Greg and his husband are experimenting with making naturally fermented ciders this year.

TAMARRA CALLAHAN, Management Analyst, City of San Antonio Office of Sustainability — After studying abroad in Italy and earning a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Foreign Languages from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Tamarra began her career in the non-profit sector. She worked locally promoting Women’s Empowerment and Girl Leadership programs and traveled to Peru, Kenya, and Tanzania to conduct workshops on Rainwater Harvesting, Sustainable Feminine Hygiene, and Bicycle Safety & Maintenance.

In 2020, she earned an opportunity to work with the San Antonio business community on waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, transportation, and recycling best practices which inspired her to enroll in a Professional Science Master program in Ecology & Environmental Sustainability at Texas Tech University. She is currently taking classes remotely and working full-time as a Management Analyst at the City of San Antonio’s Office of Sustainability.

Her current projects in her City government role include managing the EVSA, Veganuary, and Mayor's Youth Engagement Council for Climate Initiatives programs. Tamarra enjoys singing, practicing yoga, and spending time with her two favorite souls: Cali and Weezer.

AMANDA CASTRO, CEO, Community Preschools — Amanda Castro is a Co-Owner and Chief Executive Officer at Community Preschools. While most schools were closing during the pandemic, Amanda launched Community Preschools to reach the families that often go underserved, especially the families hit hardest.

Prior to co-founding Community Preschools, Amanda was a certified professional midwife. She has a Master of Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Amanda's research experience spans from novel small molecule synthesis and design in treating different forms of cancer, to stem cell research, and viral synthesis and research.

While studying for her Master's degree, Amanda was selected to represent the United States at the conference of Nobel Laureates in Lindau, Germany. During this trip, she was able to meet some of the most famous scientists of today as well as other young researchers from all over the world. Amanda received her Bachelor of Science at Stephen F. Austin State University and minored in biology.

As a child, Amanda grew up on a working Longhorn ranch. It was from this experience that Amanda gained appreciation for the importance of exploration to discover the world. Later, this exploratory spirit would lead her to spend her summers in Mexico, learning to speak Spanish and gaining insight into Mexican culture. Now, as a scientist, mother, and early childhood educator, Amanda strongly believes in the importance of early childhood education and the huge benefit of investing in children early. Passionate about her work, Amanda credits her success to dedication, drive and perseverance. She looks forward to networking with likeminded professionals.

JACIEL CASTRO, COO, Community Preschools — Jaciel Castro leads operational and administrative work at Community Preschools. He holds a bachelor's degree in Structural Engineering and is passionate about enhancing the operations infrastructure in the early childhood sector in a systematic way. He holds a second bachelors in organizational development from Texas A&M Commerce and a masters in finance from The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Jaciel managed operations for a charter in Texas for 6 years before realizing that the best time to make an impact in the community is in early education. He left public education to work alongside some of the brightest minds in Texas to close gaps in early education infrastructure particularly around finance, scalability of programs operating in low-income communities and alignment between the early childhood sector and public education.

The mission of Community Preschool’s is to become the nation's data-driven disruptor and validator of Early Childhood's best practices. He is a father of 5 young children, 3 of whom are learning Arabic full time. He is passionate about seeing the world, including through overseas mission ministry to refugee communities.

KATIE FITZHUGH, Director of Deconstruction, Re:Purpose Savannah — Katie Fitzhugh leads the Re:Purpose Savannah deconstruction team in the field. Her passion for architectural history drew her to a career in material preservation through deconstruction with Re:Purpose Savannah. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Architectural History from the Savannah College of Art and Design, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology and a Bachelor of Arts in History (emphasis in colonial American studies) from the University of Montana, where she also minored in African American studies.

Prior to joining Re:Purpose Savannah, she worked as an interpretive ranger at the Wormsloe State Historic Site for two years. She is chairwoman of the Friends of Wormsloe Volunteer Group and a member of the Leadership Council of the National Small Business Administration (NSBA), a small-business advocacy organization working to support small business interests nationwide.

FLOYD GODSEY II, Consultant and Project Manager, Godsey Contractors — Floyd Godsey II is a General Contractor specializing in Urban Agriculture. He has worked in Urban and rural farming projects throughout the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) Region. For the last nine years, Floyd has been active in addressing the lack of access to healthy foods in urban communities throughout the Baltimore area. He wants to help develop solutions that will increase the availability of healthy food options to local urban communities.

Floyd also partners with Nonprofit Organizational management institutions to help assess transforming blight into community green spaces, assisting local businesses, and coordinating community participation in significant projects. He's highly motivated and passionate about urban development. He is focused on strategies that would help increase the quality of life at an equitable level for the population in his region, with Baltimore being the first.

DUSTIN INGRAM, Director of Operations, Stardust Building Supplies — Dustin Ingram has been with Stardust Building Supplies, located in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area, for 8 years. He started off in 2016 as Pickup Assistant loading and unloading donations. He became Lead Pickup Driver a year later, and in 2018, was promoted to Deconstruction Field Supervisor were he oversaw deconstruction teams on job sites. From there, he was brought into the retail side as store manager in 2019. He started off 2023 as the Director of Operations.

During his time with Stardust, he has been able to work in every aspect of the organization’s operations. He is constantly trying to increase material diversion and reduce waste streams.

MARIE LOGSDEN, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Driven Plastics — Marie Logsden is a Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Driven Plastics. Driven transforms plastic waste into an additive that improves asphalt roadways. The resulting pavement has less cracking, rutting and lasts 3-5 years longer. The process can digest up to ten tons of plastic per lane mile of road without microplastic risk and less offgassing than traditional additives. She recently closed a 2.8m pre-seed round and entered the Creative Destruction Labs Climate Stream. Driven has installed 22 projects around the country. They operate a manufacturing facility in Pueblo, CO and just landed a spot in the R&D World Top 100, an Colorado Public Works Award and an Edison Gold Award.

Marie also owns a high volume consulting firm offering government affairs, growth strategy, values/brand alignment and communications support to startups, politicians, executives, celebrities, and activists. During the 2020 democratic presidential primary season Marie led strategic partnerships for Michael Bloomberg. Marie continues to advise a number of candidates, editorial boards, and transition teams throughout the country.

Additionally, she is building out a 2.5 acre organic farm and permaculture food forest at her primary residence, is co-owner of a music venue and bar called the Skylark Lounge in Denver, the Gravity Haus adventure hotel brand and an investor/advisor at Cloverleaf AI.

Previously, Marie served as the Chief of Strategy and Communications for Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, during which the administration built the fastest growing economy in the country and won progressive victories on issues such as climate, guns, equality, and health care in a bipartisan fashion.

Her current nonprofit board leadership includes Take Note Colorado, Colorado Outward Bound School, Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, Stand for Courage, Something Independent, and the Wright Awards. She serves as a mentor for Techstars.

BRITTNEY LU-JONES, Research & Organizing Manager, Redeemer Community Partnership — Brittney Lu-Jones is a Research & Organizing Manager at the South LA based nonprofit, Redeemer Community Partnership, focusing on building frontline community capacity and agency over land use processes. Brittney has spent her whole life in California - growing up in Bakersfield, pursuing undergraduate studies in San Diego, and eventually moving to South LA to work at a public education nonprofit, obtain a masters in public health and urban planning, and organize with Redeemer Community Partnership.

Living and learning in these cities instilled an appreciation for California’s varied landscapes, and cemented values in centering racial justice to advance health equity, environmental justice, and spatial equity. Her work now aims to organize with frontline community members and collaborate with the Stand Together Against Neighborhood Drilling LA Coalition to advance the phaseout of oil extraction in the City of Los Angeles, and reimagine brownfield sites into healthy spaces for community-identified needs and dreams.

She is excited to learn from and alongside this delegation about how to create sustainable and thriving environments. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in parks and libraries, cooking and eating foods across LA neighborhoods, and spending time with her partner and their cat.

NANCY METAYER BOWEN, City Commissioner, City of Coral Springs, FL — Nancy Metayer Bowen is a distinguished Environmental Scientist and former member of the Broward County Soil and Water Conservation District. With a rich background spanning multiple government agencies and nonprofit organizations, she has consistently demonstrated strategic expertise in enhancing environmental conditions, water, sanitation, and public health programs. A dedicated advocate for those affected by water crises nationwide, Metayer Bowen has played pivotal roles in responding to catastrophic natural disasters such as Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Michael, and Hurricane Dorian.

Committed to making her hometown, Coral Springs, a pioneer in sustainability and resilience, Metayer Bowen spearheads innovative initiatives to address the escalating consequences of climate change. She envisions a future where small businesses thrive, advocating for the expansion of community industries like solar manufacturing and the establishment of tech hubs. Grounded in values instilled from a young age – community service, philanthropy, and stewardship – Bowen seeks to embody these principles as Coral Springs Commissioner. Her goal is to provide a balanced perspective while amplifying the voices of all community members, working towards a better city for future generations.

Presently, Metayer Bowen is championing equitable processes and outcomes related to clean energy technologies. A graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a Bachelor of Science and Johns Hopkins University with a Master of Health Science, she holds executive board positions with Avanse Ansanm and Friends of the Earth (FoE). Bowen also serves as a Commission Liaison to various committees and boards, including the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Charter School Advisory Board, Environmental Sustainability Committee, Multicultural Advisory Committee, Broward League of Cities, and Broward County Climate Change Task Force.

Metayer Bowen's contributions have earned her accolades, including the Top 20 under 40 by the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce, United Nations Clean Water Advocacy Award, and induction into the CLEO Institute Leadership Circle. Her unwavering commitment and leadership continue to leave an indelible mark on the fields of environmental science and community service.

KELLY MORRIS, Recycling Manager, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority — Kelly Morris is currently the Recycling Manager for Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority in Pennsylvania. She holds an MBA in Sustainable Management and has a diverse background that includes organic farming, yoga teaching, and project management.

DAN PEDERSON, Mesa Reuse Center Manager, Stardust Building Supplies — Dan Pederson has worked in retail management throughout most his of his life in numerous states and in different roles. His current role as the Mesa Reuse Center Manager at Stardust Building Supplies has continuously reshaped how he thinks about reuse and reconsiders what he is throwing away everyday.

In addition, Dan is an artist using mixed media to explore textures and techniques and use many recycled items to achieve different effects. He has shown throughout the western United States, both solo shows and group shows. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Chapman College in Orange, California.

STEPHANIE PHILLIPS, Deconstruction and Circular Economy Program Manager, City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation — Stephanie Phillips is an urban planner and policymaker working at the intersection of heritage conservation and the circular economy. She is the City of San Antonio’s first Deconstruction and Circular Economy Program Manager, where she administers the largest deconstruction ordinance in the United States, scales reuse workforce development, and advances local building material recovery and reuse through the City's Material Innovation Center at Port San Antonio. San Antonio's program prioritizes building material reuse as a tool for affordable housing repair, traditional trades revival, economic innovation, equitable access to high-quality resources, and cultural and community resilience.

Her work contributes to nonprofits and coalitions that focus on embodied carbon and circular economy policy and advocacy, including the Climate Heritage Network and Build Reuse. She is the co-founder of Circular San Antonio and is a 2023 J.M. Kaplan Fund Innovation Prize awardee.

Broadly, her work aims to foster collaborative, transdisciplinary, silo-busting partnerships that get us closer to creating a truly regenerative built environment. She holds a master's degree in Historic Preservation from the the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

BRIDGETTE POLLASKI, Analyst, RRS — Bridgette Pollaski is an Analyst at RRS (recycle.com), a consulting group specializing in sustainable materials management solutions. She formerly worked in county government where she created a comprehensive guide for residents on circular economy resources. Currently, Bridgette’s role at RRS centers on bridging the gap between the industry and the public through her knowledge in communications, videography, photography, data analysis, and logistics planning.

One of Bridgette’s key passions is connecting excess resources to those who want it. In a previous position at her university’s food pantry, she helped manage community donations and surplus goods from local grocers to provide to her peers. This experience ignited her interest in exploring opportunities in the space of reuse, seeking to better understand the network of surplus materials and gaps in access to goods.

As a first generation professional, Bridgette feels a strong connection to the principles of circularity. Some of her projects at RRS include working with two large public housing agencies, helping three states to maintain their circular accelerator programs called “NextCycle,” getting her hands dirty at waste sorts, assisting universities on their zero waste goals, and more. She consistently engages in a variety of projects and is always eager to advance her knowledge in the industry. Outside of work, she loves riding around on her e-bike, making oat milk lattes, and playing video games.

GRANT RODRIGUEZ AMLANI, Environmental Justice & Recruitment Coordinator, U.S. Plastics Pact — Grant Rodriguez Amlani is currently the Environmental Justice & Recruitment Coordinator at the U.S. Plastics Pact, where he works to broaden engagement with the U.S. Pact and embed environmental justice as part of a just transition to a circular economy - involving over 130 organizations from private, government, and nonprofit sectors. Efforts within this role include leading a workstream focused on environmental justice and an on-the-ground Solidarity Tour through Cancer Alley with a local organization to educate packaging professionals firsthand on environmental justice realities.

Grant earned a Master’s in Sustainability and Development from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor’s in Geography at the University of North Texas. During his graduate studies, he completed a fellowship with Clinton Global Initiative University on environment and climate change, applying research on recycling policies at the regional level in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and promoted sustainability efforts such as ecosystem restoration and pollinator friendly spaces on campus. Growing up in a bicultural household and bilingual (English and Spanish) has led to a great appreciation for diverse perspectives and the ability to bring those perspectives into discussions. Grant was recognized as an Emerging Leader at GreenBiz’s Circularity23 conference last year.

TAMIRA SAMUEL, Co-Executive Director, The Urban Leaders Fellowship — Tamira Samuel is a dedicated servant leader. Currently, she's the Co-Executive Director for The Urban Leaders Fellowship and was a Director of Policy & Advocacy with TNTP. She has a reputation for renowned expertise in leading strategy, school intervention, design, talent development, and policy implementation. She focuses impact through human design concentration; has co-founded schools targeted in intervention; developed leaders, teachers, and coaches; and refocused strategy for organizations, teams, and groups. Tamira has extensive work in policy and education in more than 20 states ranging from school accountability and choice, teacher compensation, reconstitution, racial equity, regulation, collegiate housing, domestic violence response with school boards, city councils, state representatives, senators, organizations, and unions.

She has served on the What's Next Washington Employment Advisory Council and was appointed by Houston Mayor Annise Parker to the Commission of People with Disabilities in Houston. Her notable experience includes being the City of Houston Commission of People With Disabilities K-12 Issues in Public Education Committee Chair; Founding Campus Leader at YES Prep; BES Founding School Board Vice Chair; Houston ISD New Teacher Support and School Support Manager; Houston ISD DAC Parent Rep; HFT Policy Fellow; an Associate for Nashville Metro Government Mayor Karl Dean and the Beacon Center of Tennessee; Congressional Visit Lobbyist; and a Peace Child International World Youth Congress Delegate with General Governor of Canada, Michaelle Jean.

Tamira was a National Major League Baseball, PEOPLE Magazine, and Target Teacher All-Star Finalist and the 2009 Miss Black Kentucky USA. She has been featured and recognized by SHAPE Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Fortune Review Magazine, World Leaders Magazine, USA Today, Tennessee Titans, Chi Omega Fraternity; Houston Business Journal 40 Under 40, Bizwomen Mentor, and Women Who Mean Business Outstanding Leader in Education Honoree; Women We Admire Top 50 Women Leaders of Houston for her leadership and impact. Tamira earned her B.S. in English and MAT from Austin Peay State University; MPPA from Northwestern University; and was a Rice University Educational Entrepreneurship Business MBA Fellow for School Leaders.

WEI WANG, Senior Associate, Dattner Architects — Wei Wang is a licensed architect in New York and senior associate at Dattner Architects, serves as the co-chair of Dattner’s Sustainable Practice Group. Her focus lies in holistic building materials research, actively seeking ways to integrate findings into project practices. Additionally, Wei holds positions as the New York State Representative for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Young Architects Forum (YAF), serving as the liaison between the YAF and the AIA National Committee on the Environment (COTE), and co-chairing the AIA NY COTE Materials Health and Circularity Subcommittee. Wei is set to be a visiting critic at GASPP this year, contributing to a course on materials health, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA).

Wei believes in collaboration across all sectors to establish a circular infrastructure that fosters a regenerative future.

ALYSSA WILBUR, Program Officer, ICLEI USA — Alyssa is passionate about leveraging civic engagement and social innovation to strengthen communities and improve the quality of life for everyone. Through her role as a Program Officer with ICLEI USA, she provides direction and support to local governments, regions, and tribal nations seeking to achieve ambitious climate and sustainability goals. Alyssa leads ICLEI USA's Circular Pathway, developing technical assistance offerings and best practices guidance for local governments looking to advance more circular economies in their regions.

Alyssa received her BS in Environmental Science and Mathematics and Northern Arizona University and holds a Master's in Environmental Management from Western Colorado University. Before joining ICLEI, Alyssa worked for local governments in Colorado advancing sustainability work and leading climate communications and engagement.

Alyssa lives in Kalispell, MT with her husband Ryan, their dog Moose, and cat Nala. Alyssa participates in several local and regional groups seeking to strengthen community resilience and advance climate action in Northwest Montana. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her family, snowboarding, paddleboarding on the Flathead River, and exploring Glacier National Park.

HANNAH WILSON, Adaptation and Resilience Consultant, Arup — Hannah Wilson is an Adaptation and Resilience Consultant within Arup’s New York Sustainability team. At Arup, she utilizes her interdisciplinary expertise to help clients make design, programming, and funding decisions that work towards both social and environmental goals. She focuses on climate adaptation planning and design, multi-hazard risk and vulnerability assessments, climate justice and social equity integration, participatory and community-based planning, and disaster mitigation and recovery.

Prior to joining Arup, Hannah served as a Princeton in Asia Fellow in China where she worked with various non-profits, environmental organizations, and social enterprises. Following her time in Beijing, she designed, implemented, and managed digital literacy programs across twenty-three countries with the Kenya-based organization Lensational. In this role, she led multiple new programs including a Gender and Climate initiative seeking to elevate women's voices in climate action. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Washington and Lee University and a Master of Regional Planning degree from Cornell University.

CHRISTOPHER MOKEN, Co-Founder, Circular San Antonio and Founder, ReMat Enterprises — For nearly ten years, Chris has worked in the recycling & solid waste industry with a focus on circular economy solutions. He first became passionate about solving waste-related issues when he worked at the Lowcountry Food Bank in Charleston, SC. Being confronted by mountains of food waste while witnessing widespread generational food insecurity angered him greatly. Since that experience, Chris has been passionate about finding solutions that can both eliminate waste while creating a more sustainable and equitable economy.

Chris’s professional experience in the field spans government, global companies, and founding his own startups. He led the the development of a 20 Year Solid Waste Management plan at the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG); designed the world's first circular economy pet bed; launched a nonprofit to recycle mattresses; and assisted in the creation of post consumer recycled (PCR) content plastic supply chains. He also provides consultations for consumer facing brands seeking to implement sustainable business practices and circular business models.

Chris was inspired to organize this sustainability delegation visit by a group called POCACITO. For several years, POCACITO led delegation visits to Germany for sustainability professionals. Chris had the privilege to be part of the 2020 delegation and has since then wanted to recreate the amazing experience for others. Thank you Max Gruenig from POCACITO for the inspiration to organize immersive sustainability delegation visits!

Sustainable City Discovery Tours (Sustainability Delegations) offer an opportunity for US-based sustainability professionals to participate in immersive experiences across Europe that are focused on shaping greener, more sustainable urban environments. We are now accepting applications for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 delegations! We will be traveling to Munich, Germany, October 13 - 20, 2024, and returning to Copenhagen in Spring 2025. Apply now to secure your spot.