"Our quest is to deeply understand existing systems and build new ones with the intent of defeating polluters." Freedom's activism is informed by her training in management and design. She founded Design By Freedom with the goal to mainstream zero waste grocery delivery service. Freedom uses her platform to bridge the gap between packaging designers creating single-use packaging and grassroots activists on the frontlines of fighting pollution-by-design. She hopes to empower designers to think reuse and return and create advocates inside consumer goods companies who will influence packaging decisions upstream.

"I am passionately driven to eliminate single-use waste from the environment." For nearly 20 years, Craig has served as the Policy Coordinator for Surfrider Foundation (South Bay Chapter). He's also a volunteer independent consultant on environmental protection initiatives. Craig's work includes legislative policy development and adoption, and he focuses on strategy and relationship building with elected policy makers and municipalities. His efforts have helped facilitate ordinances and legislation around the reduction and elimination of single-use foodware. Craig collaborates with legislators, stakeholders, NGOs and more to build awareness and acceptance of reusable foodware as the new norm.

“I found myself looking around and thinking no one is doing the work that will make real systemic change. Then I realized I was the one I was waiting for! Crystal founded Don’t Waste Durham and has since created GreenToGo, Bull City Boomerang Bag, and The ReCirculation Project. She helps lead their policy work on single-use bags and serviceware and, in 2020, co-founded the Reuse Systems Alliance made up of 35+ reuse companies around the world. Crystal uses her activist platform to build awareness and catalyze action by running workshops and giving talks to a wide range of audiences. “Change is made by demonstrating that new, better ways are possible.”

Algramo offers global brands platform technology coupled with smart packaging that connects with their app and internet connected dispensers – allowing consumers to buy the product and not the packaging. The system removes reverse logistics, minimizes product costs, and reduces environmental and economic costs of reusable packaging. Algramo's app, smart packaging and refill stations create a circular platform that revolutionizes the way companies deliver their products and how people consume them.

Rheaply’s Asset Exchange Manager (AxM)™ combines an asset management system with an online marketplace that enables organizations to manage and transact physical assets more effectively. The platform measures and eliminates the need to procure new products, curbing waste in the process. Through this technology, Rheaply is solving resource gaps and supply chain inefficiencies to allow businesses, suppliers and consumers to co-exist on a secure reuse network.

TURN's data-driven digital capture and reuse system is engineered to eliminate single-use plastic by implementing an effective reusable cup reuse and return system and capturing all product waste streams. They use smart collection bins to make it easy for consumers to return their cups and automatically rewards them once they complete their return. The bins are even engineered to sort the cups and have a scanner to prevent unwanted products from entering. Then, the used cups are taken to TURN's facilities for autonomous washing for their next use – over and over again.

Benjamin Von Wong's work lies at the intersection of fantasy and photography and combines everyday objects with shocking statistics. It has attracted the attention of corporations, like Starbucks, Dell, and Nike, and has generated over 100 million views for causes like ocean plastics, electronic waste, and fashion pollution.

Danni Washington is fierce, focused, and on a mission. As a world-renowned television host and science communicator, Washington is the first African-American woman to host a nationally broadcast syndicated science television series. She is presently the host of The Genius Generation podcast.

Elizabeth Segran is a senior staff writer at Fast Company magazine, where she covers fashion and sustainability. She is also the author of The Rocket Years: How Your Twenties Launch the Rest of Your Life. She received her Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley and her B.A. from Columbia University.

Bridget leads external affairs including investor partnerships, industry partnerships, communications and special projects at Closed Loop Partners. She has spent the last 20 years building movements to help drive a more sustainable economy – from the local food movement to the circular economy.

Matt is CEO of Upstream and a recognized thought leader within the plastic pollution community, advising the United Nations Environment Program on their plastic pollution strategies. He is one of the founders of the global Break Free from Plastic Movement and the founder of the Cradle2 Coalition and Make It Take It Campaign.

Upstream sparks innovative solutions to plastic pollution by helping people, businesses and communities shift from single-use to reuse. For us, the problem isn’t just single-use plastic. It’s single-use itself and the current “one-way, throw-away” model for getting us what we want and need. But we know there’s a better way than throw-away, and we’re focused on ideating and accelerating it through business innovation, policy and social impact campaigns.

Closed Loop Partners is a New York-based investment firm comprised of venture capital, growth equity, private equity, project-based finance, and an innovation center focused on building the circular economy.