Check Out Circular Triangle’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Circular Triangle

Hi Circular, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Circular Triangle began as an informal breakfast networking group.
Wanting to give people interested in a Circular Economy a forum to exchange ideas, Jennifer Hill Carrigan, Crystal Dreisbach, and Stacy Glass found a group of like-minded people thinking about better ways to make our cities work.
They formed an organization in 2020 to encourage the transition to a Circular Economy in the Triangle.
The concept of a circular economy shifts the conversation from a linear, disposable model to a closed-loop system. Its core principles focus on Reduce, Reuse and Repurpose. This focuses on prioritizing these actions over traditional disposal. Repairing broken items, finding new uses for old products, and utilizing recycled materials become integral parts of the economic system. Products are designed with repairability, reusability, and disassembly in mind.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No! Circular Triangle was started in 2020, right before COVID hit. When meeting in-person was no longer possible, they pivoted to online meetings.
As 100% volunteer run organization, we have learned to work as a grassroots organization, making connections and growing community based on what people are most passionate about.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Circular Triangle is 100% volunteer run non-profit, that works to serve as a hub for connecting people interested in a Circular Economy.

The organization began working in Construction & Demolition waste and had projects helping local builders track construction waste, and coordinating with the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke to generate a consumption-based emissions inventory (CBEI) for the Triangle. A CBEI measures the amount of carbon generated by the consumption of goods and services of a region rather than only emissions produced there.

In 2022 Kristin Schillings became the coordinator and we pivoted to the Textile Waste stream. We host clothing swaps around the Triangle to encourage reuse, and divert clothing to Note in the Pocket – a Raleigh/Durham organization that connects quality clothing to kids who can use it. We are also piloting The Fashion Library – a rental program where people can borrow local, sustainably designed clothing. We were recently featured in an upcoming documentary – Refabricate – about slow fashion in NC.

We also host recurring meetups to raise awareness and make connections. We have Lunch & Learns at Hi-Wire in Durham where we hear from local businesses and organizations related to a Circular Economy. We have networking meetups at Boxyard RTP.

In June, we hosted a Sustainability Summit with panelists from local municipalities, businesses and organizations. It was a great success and we had great conversation and interest. We’ll be hosting the summit annually.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
People want to be in community! Circular Triangle provided our volunteers a place to connect (even if it was only on Zoom) during COVID.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.circulartriangle.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/circulartrianglenc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CircularTriangleNC/