A big thank-you to ICLEI for including me as a panelist in your #RISEAfrica 2024 Action Festival last week. Being intentional about promoting, designing, implementing and sustaining #CircularEconomy cities is critical. I wore the hat of the #Insect enthusiast of course... But firstly... I truly believe that we need to rethink that concept of what "waste" is and when something actually becomes "waste". If you can create value from that waste, is it truly waste or just an input to a new process? And if there is a potential value, how do we place this waste (I say input) in the hands of those that can realise that value? When it comes to cities and their significant challenges with organic waste management, #blacksoldierfly are an obvious solution. Diverting organic waste from landfill and into the mouth of insects as a feedstock is a winning solution - I do not believe that anyone will disagree with this? AND... It is critical that there is advocacy around #InsectsAsFeed so that supportive legislation can become commonplace on our continent. This is definitely a work in progress as the applications of insects (the nexus of waste management and sustainable protein) unfolds. These are important conversations that need to be happening. AND... I think that the value of waste can and should be more nuanced and this is where #innovators and #entrepreneurs are critical by seeing opportunity where others have not. How can these pioneers be better supported? AND... It is critical that sustainable, circular economy products are available to consumers so that the responsibility of sustainable choices can start moving into households, with individuals being faced with making easy decisions to move our agenda forward. This is what we are doing at Loop Pet Food by seeing immense opportunity in using "waste" to create high value, high nutrient pet food through the incorporation of wonky/rescued/ugly vegetables and craft brewery spent grains (a new product under development). This is in addition to our use of our beautiful insects (#BSF). I loved fellow panelist Gift Lubele's passion for the power of data to drive positive change through empowering decision makers. Something that I have inherently known but definitely underestimated and seeing (and hearing) it in action was epic and made it all seem so obvious- see Kudoti to learn more. I do not believe that there is a silver bullet to solving some of our continents climate challenges but I think that there are so many superstars walking their journeys... So here is hoping that we can have more of these events to bring more of these thinkers together.
Laura Stanford’s Post
More Relevant Posts
-
Growing Loop Pet Food continues to be an epic experience: No two days are the same and I am learning and growing as a person all the time... wearing all the different hats associated with working at a start-up. The Future Has Six Legs!
Introducing our LOOP founders Laura Stanford (CEO) and Amit Grabovski (COO). The dynamic duo are committed to disrupting the pet food market with the power of insects as an alternative protein. LOOP is offering pet owners with the option of a nutritious, delicious and sustainable pet food for the first time in Kenya and Rwanda (through Pride Farms). Images from left to right: Amit and Laura a #Sankalp event in #Nairobi, Amit packing training treats for the XBox market, Laura (attempting to) photograph Gryffin with our products for our marketing, Amit smelling a new dog food flavour (Apple + Cinnamon) that we were trying out. #Sustainability #Kenya #PetFood #Insects #BSF #DogFood #InsectsAsFeed #CircularEconomy #LOOPLove #CloseTheLOOP #AlternativeProtein
-
-
It is not too late to register for the #RISEAfrica2024 Action Festival - https://lnkd.in/dymX7Ucf. A festival of thinkers that are shaping the future of our continent with innovation... the GOOD and the lessons so we can build on each others solutions. I will be speaking on Thursday, 23 May... about bugs/insects and their magnificent glory (of course) as part of "Circular Economy in Cities: an exchange between SME's and municipalities on upscaling innovative technologies". ICLEI Africa, Jokudu Guya, Gift Lubele, Safisana, The Bug Picture
Only 3 days to go until #RISEAfrica2024 Action Festival! This is a must-attend event for all those committed to exploring and celebrating African urban sustainability 🌍 🏙 ⚡ This year's theme, SOLUTIONS ONLY [failures also], focuses on sharing innovative solutions and positive examples while embracing and learning from failures. Expect a diverse array of sessions designed to inspire and inform everyone passionate about the future of our cities. From imaginative solutions and urban food systems to climate change, waste management, and the circular economy, our packed programme highlights creativity and features insights from leading experts, innovators, and city officials driving transformative change across Africa. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute to the vibrant future of African cities. REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/dymX7Ucf Surge Africa Org African Centre for Cities Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre Our Future Cities Paul Currie Funmilola Oni-Adeniyi (PhD) Geci Karuri-Sebina Rashiq Fataar Hastings Chikoko Jokudu Guya Vida Madighi-Oghu Amy Murgatroyd Ivan Pauw Zakiyya Atkins Amien Liteboho Makhele Heba Elhanafy Jehan Bhikoo Solophina Nekesa Seth Kriger Tamsin Faragher Olumide Idowu (Mr. Climate) Kaylah Cordom Nora Anyidoho Tashi Piprek
-
-
Today was a day well spent at the "Insects for the Green Economy Conference" discussing the current state of insects as feed and food on the continent (Africa), and practically dreaming about where we can take it through partnerships. The future has six legs and it was awesome to discuss this idea with industry colleagues (and friends) like Marian Peters, Mathilde Miedema, TANGA MBI, Roseanne Mwangi and researchers from prestigious universities in East Africa and Europe again. Loop Pet Food was there enjoying some of the limelight as an insect-based product that is shaping (and disrupting) the pet food industry, sharing space with our supplier (and special partner) Irene Shikami of Regen Organics who provide our bugs for our recipes. And a box of treats even went home with the representative of Mama Rachel Ruto and Dorte Verner, Ph.D. to try which is dreamy for me. Thanks to the amazing sponsors that made these important discussions possible: ICIPE - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, The Rockefeller Foundation, Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, Sida, The World Bank, IKEA Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
-
-
Honestly, it never gets old: The thrill of receiving the unexpected PO, the care in packing our products and the immense joy in delivering them to Greenspoon | B Corp 🌍 (and our other stockists). I remember the first delivery in March 2023 when it all felt so shiny and new... and now almost a full year ago I still find it so special with Amit Grabovski. #LoopLove #DogFood #Sustainability
Our journey has not been long, but it has been incredibly meaningful as amazing companies (such as Greenspoon | B Corp 🌍) believed in us from our early days and continue to do so. We are so grateful! Seen here: Today's delivery of our INSECT-POWERED adult dog food to Greenspoon in amongst all the other fresh and delicious, proudly Kenyan produce/products. #ProudlyKenyan #DogFood #LoopLove
-
-
It has been a thrilling 18 month building this little baby which we (Amit Grabovski and I) are very proud of. Now that we have a LinkedIn page, we will share more updates now so follow us to stay up-to-date. #SustainablePetFood #InsectsAsFeed
Say hello to the incredible team behind Loop Pet Food! Our passion for pets, bugs and sustainability drives everything we do. 🙌 Meet the faces making a difference: Laura Stanford, Amit Grabovski Mercy Kemunto to name a few. PS. If you look closely, you will see our first ever print advert from the Nomad magazine (Nomad Africa). It is the one with the dog 🐶 #LoopTeam #PassionForPets #DogFood #Sustainability #InsectsAsFeed #BSF
-
-
It was such a pleasure to be a panelist at this epic female-centric evening (whoop whoop She-Originals) with powerhouses in the entrepreneurship world of Kenya. Thanks to Alexandra Chappatte and African Originals for the opportunity to share my thoughts on the rollercoaster that it is entrepreneurship.
Celebrating the incredible energy and experiences shared at our second She-Originals event! From laughter to learning and networking, it was a day filled with positivity. Excited to witness our community of female entrepreneurs thriving and looking forward to the next empowering gathering in March! Sign Up via https://lnkd.in/d48macxx to join our community!
-
Looking for something to do tomorrow (9 November)? Why not come and chat about sustainability and circular economy with me (and Loop Pet Food) and bunch of other passionate entrepreneurs, policy makers and more at Emara Ole Sereni in Nairobi. Sustainable Inclusive Business Kenya, Karin Boomsma, TheRockGroup (TRG), Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA)
-
I am very excited to be part of this awesome event with Sustainable Inclusive Business Kenya on 9 November where I will be sharing my some ideas on sustainability and including sustainable choices in our day-to-day lives based on my experience working in the insect world of East Africa (The Bug Picture) and now the manufacture of sustainable, insect-based pet food in Kenya (Loop Pet Food). Registration details in the post - I look forward to see you there in-person in Nairobi or virtually.
REGISTRATION & CHANGE OF DATE ALERT‼️ We're thrilled to invite you to participate in the Annual Circular Economy Conference on Thur, 9th Nov 2023 (NOT 8th & 9th AS PREVIOUSLY COMMUNICATED). Register in advance: https://shorturl.at/kmqx6 #CEConferenceKenya #CircularEconomy2023 Karin Boomsma, Ebenezer Amadi, Josephine Wawira, Absalom Mulama, Denis Kiplagat, Pracksidis Wandera, Kenya Plastics Pact, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), TheRockGroup (TRG), Ajira Digital Program, USAID
-
In case you missed our engaged and interesting discussion on the importance of measuring the impact of circularity, you can check it out here: https://lnkd.in/dyFmqxAH Thanks once again Footprints Africa and Joanna Bingham for including me in the action. And I love that you think that I am a "badass" (Joanna's words - not mine). #circulareconomy
What did we conclude: "Can we measure the impact of Circular Economy?" Link for Replay: https://lnkd.in/dyFmqxAH My highlights from the session (aside from our incredible speakers Laura Stanford from The Bug Picture, George C Thorpe from MagProtein Nigeria Ltd and our very own Randy Adjei): 💡 The power of having that "single punchy number" that evidences your impact with #data 💡 It can be tough to get to a single number when #circulareconomy is such a broad concept. Therefore the actual #process of scoping what you measure is enlightening 💡 #Customers DO care when you give them a clear articulation of your impact 💡 It's critical as an #impact business to differentiate yourself and have data to evidence the multiple layers of value being created (soil health, waste remediation, clean communities, and on and on) 💡 Many circular business models operate in an evolving space that has required them to take on multiple roles across the value chain. The hope is that as they mature, players can specialise and adopt niches 💡 The results may surprise you, for example realising the impact on local water tables of water use. But this information allows entrepreneurs to take informed decisions that both benefit communities and reduce costs. 💡 #Entrepreneurs are such badasses! They really are doing the real work, taking huge risks to prove out alternative business models that large, risk-averse companies can then adopt once the evidence has been developed. And of course, #measurement is for everyone. Don't miss the pep talk from Randy Adjei who vehemently believes in this process and wants entrepreneurs to have the confidence to believe they can do it. Footprints Africa is collaborating with the amazing Erik Roos Lindgreen, PhD to support #businesses, programmes and #investors to measure the impact of circularity. Please reach out if you are interested in these services.
World Resource Forum '23 side event: Can we measure the impact of Circular Economy?
https://www.youtube.com/
