Toward Circularity: Rethinking Waste, Closing the Loop and Building Social Equity

Transformations at all levels of society are underway due to the unique confluence of social and ecological challenges related to the syndemic. This chapter summarizes the impacts and lessons derived of creative collaborations in rethinking waste management from a linear system of production and consumption to one that is more cyclical, circular, and regenerative. In particular, the Framing Hope program, an innovative private and nonprofit sector partnership between the nonprofit Good360 and The Home Depot uses a sustainable materials approach. This work estimates the energy savings, landfill space not filled, and the energy- and landfill- related cost savings associated with the Good360 product philanthropy program with The Home Depot, illustrating that benefits accrue to both corporations and communities by linkages between environmental, socioeconomic, and energy dimensions. Findings suggest that by redirecting products from the waste stream into usable community resources considerable landfill space, costs, and energy savings were realized. Product donations can serve as an important platform for sustainable community development and capacity building. This research adds to the growing body of knowledge on environmental performance, social justice, corporate giving, and cross-sector partnerships in sustainable and social entrepreneurship.