Ken Alston’s CV
I have a rich CV and some of the more salient experience is listed here:
Circularity Edge, LLC.
7 years 3 months
Circular Economy | Sustainable Business | Sustainable Development |
February 2017 – Present
Co-founder and Managing Director of Circularity Edge, LLC., a consulting firm specializing in the strategic integration of sustainability and the circular economy in business operations to create positive business outcomes.
Co-authored strategic paper for the U.S. Department of Energy on Circularity in Clean Energy.
Co authored the book “Real Circularity: The Practices and Approaches to turn theory into practice”, with Rachel S. Kan.
Co-founded the Real Circularity Academy training professionals in sustainable business and the circular economy.
Created and co-presented the Real Circularity Summit.
COLLABORATIONS
Americas Sustainable Development Foundation, Aruba: (2005 – to date)
Introduction of Closed Loop Cycling and Sustainable, Circular Economy in Latin America. Senior Advisor to ASDF. https://www.sustainableamericas.com/asdf-team
Waste2Worth. Bogota, Colombia: (2019 – to date)
Senior Associate in Sustainable, Circular Economy: https://www.w2wglobal.com/expertise
SELECTED CLIENTS INCLUDE
Inter-American Development Bank; UNIDO; USAID; Steelcase; Herman Miller; Shaw Carpet; Milliken; Starbucks; Ford Motor company; Walmart
SELECTED SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES:
- Chosen by U.S. Department of State to tour Germany and speak at 2015 Earth Day events
April 20 Programs in Berlin (organized by Embassy Berlin)
April 21 Programs in Baden-Baden (organized by Consulate General Frankfurt)
April 22 Programs in Frankfurt* (organized by Consulate General Frankfurt)
April 23 Programs in Stuttgart (organized by Consulate General Frankfurt)
Circular Economy Platform
- Circular Economy Forum of the Americas (2017-2021)
2017: https://www.cefa2017.com/
2018: https://www.cefa2018.com/speakers
Images:
https://www.cefa2018.com/recap-cefa2018?pgid=jpdgqcwz-21b2831c-1709-4de9-beb0-a15bfbf2dd61
https://www.cefa2018.com/recap-cefa2018?pgid=jpdgqcwz-1c19ba3d-7c41-4f23-8891-6f3ef9e2ccd6
https://www.cefa2018.com/recap-cefa2018?pgid=jpdgqcwz-eeb03ee9-6ab7-4803-8398-07f77db214c3
https://www.cefa2018.com/recap-cefa2018?pgid=jpdgqcwz-584ab05a-78bb-40a0-a814-7384202deb4c
https://www.cefa2018.com/recap-cefa2018?pgid=jpdgqcwz-746eeb25-666b-49fa-8157-3a4d2e11250d
https://www.cefa2018.com/recap-cefa2018?pgid=jpdgqcwz-c01a0e98-6467-4689-8978-c6e51ee0aa95
https://www.cefa2018.com/recap-cefa2018?pgid=jpdgqcwz-7700e8c9-660c-480a-a423-99020109359e
2020: Long video segments, scan to see sections with Ken Alston speaking:
2019: https://youtu.be/XprNEZ8SS_U\
- Keynote Speaker at 12th International Environmental Congress, Bogota Colombia – October 2019
- Presentation at “Americana” Conference. Quebec, Canada – March 2019
- Presentations at Universiites including: Universidad Piloto de Colombia; Universidad El Bosque, Universidad de Antioquia,
2018:
- Cumipaz conference, Cali Colombia: https://youtu.be/g-3qqXQ5hvs
- XIII Simposio, International de Ambiente – Circular Economy, Panama.
- Inter-American Development Bank & Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association, – Circular Economy & Water, Jamaica
2017: https://youtu.be/xDv1JuR1vuk
- Presentation at Circular Economy Forum of the Americas – November 2018. https://youtu.be/U2hMLJBo5HI
2016:
- Sustainable Cosmetics Conference: https://youtu.be/wi8gzTOWGvE
RECENT PROJECTS
| USAID
Scaling Up Renewable Energy (SURE)
Objective: To work with 20 partner countries to promote renewable energy generation, support development of progressive energy policies and capacity building, and implement circular economy methods to address aging equipment and create a climate-smart future.
Relevant activities: Provide technical expertise and knowhow to help build capacity around circular economy implementation, sustainability, design and operations, , including strategies and technologies intentionally designed to create a more circular economy. |
| Assessment of the current status of the Circular Economy for developing a Roadmap for Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay
Project for the Climate Technology Center & network with Factor and ASDF
Objective: This project aims to deliver a country-specific Circular Economy roadmap for Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay through the development of the following objectives: • Gather information on key stakeholders and current initiatives; • Gather data on circular economy value and definition of benefits, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges; • Review international experiences in successful applications of industry 4.0 in circular economy processes; and • Identify potential projects that can be prepared and scaled-up as a follow up of this consultancy
Relevant activities: • Benchmarking of international success stories • Analysis of the conditions and opportunities of international cases • Design of a comparative matrix of experiences |
| Identification of Blue & Circular Growth for Island Sustainability & Generation of Project Ideas.
Project for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) with Factor, Eqo-Nexus & Inedit
Objective: To define the elements of Blue and Circular Growth for island sustainability and to generate project ideas
Relevant activities: • A desk review to identify the elements (principles, existing challenges and requirements) of a Blue and Circular Economy so that these can be applied to islands in their efforts to attain sustainability · An assessment of the existence or nonexistence of the previously identified elements in targeted island territories4 · An assessment of: (a) the level of attainment of SDGs5 and targets set out in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) of participating countries; and (b) current and potential (in a scenario where the Blue and Circular Economy approach is applied) contributions of all island territories to their corresponding national targets in terms of SDGs and NDCs · Creation of “island categories” based on governance, economic, social and environmental criteria in order to select a representative sample of islands for which the Blue and Circular Economy framework can be piloted. · Preliminary identification of a pool of ongoing initiatives (either IDB funded or not) that have potential, to be adjusted to fit within the Blue Circular economy principles, inclusive of the proposed project adjustments in the pilot island territories identified as a result of the previous activities under this consultancy; and rank the on-going initiatives based on criteria. Following preliminary identification, the firm will hold workshops with top-ranked initiatives to sensitize Executing Agencies and PEUs of benefits of applying the framework to their projects. Then final selection based on level of engagement/buy in. · Identification of new project ideas to support the Blue Circular Growth model defined as part of the previous activities under this consultancy Circular Economy Vision 2050 for Aruba: Co-authored with Kevin DeCuba of ASDF. |
| Life cycle analysis for two transport units
Project developed for DINA Camiones S.A. de C.V.
Objective: Develop a carbon footprint study with the “cradle to grave” approach for two urban public transport units of the dina company.
Relevant activities: • Establish the objective of the ACV, in this case the estimation of the carbon footprint of two urban public transport units produced by DINA; • Determine the limit of the ACV, in this case “from cradle to grave”; • Fix the functional unit of the ACV. Refers to defining whether the carbon footprint will be estimated by batch of the product or per unit. The second option is recommended; • Preparation of a CV inventories. The estimate of the carbon footprint will be with a basic level of detail (TIER I); • Assembly and simulation in software; • Evaluation of impact indicators (exclusively carbon footprint, CO2e). • Interpretation of results; • Recommendations on the interpretation of results and their application in an environmental eco-label scheme. |
7 yrs 5 mos
Circular Economy | Sustainable Business | Sustainable Development | | South America | Caribbean | Mentor | Author |
🌎 MY EXPERTISE: Recognized global subject matter expert consultant on Sustainable Development, Sustainability, Circular Economy & Blue Economy principles & implementation.
🌎 HOW I DO THIS: I think and implement with a sustainable, blue & circular economy mindset. Through my in-depth understanding and implementation experience of sustainable blue & circular product design and business integration expertise I am able to apply this approach to ANY business, product or service at scales from the molecule to the business, university, city, island, region and country.
✅ Create awareness of sustainable circular & blue economy benefits for Leaders in Government, Business Executives, Faculty, Product Designers, R&D, Marketing, Communications, Procurement & Operations.
✅ Presentations and hands-on, practical strategy & implementation executive workshops.
✅ Benchmarking & expert analysis of sustainable, blue circular economy opportunities.
🌎 WHAT OTHERS SAY: “Ken is a seasoned international expert in Circular Economy Implementation, both in-company and as a consultant! Highly recommended!” G. Bruggeman, Eindhoven Area, Netherlands,
🌎 CASE STUDY: Defining the elements of Blue Economy & Circular Economy – subject matter expert for Island sustainability in 11 Caribbean Islands for the International Development Bank (2018).
MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry)
Cradle to Cradle|C2C|Cradle to Cradle Certification|Green Product Design For A Sustainable Economy
Jun 2000 – Sep 2017
🌎 My EXPERTISE: Understanding and applying Cradle to Cradle design principles and practice in new product development processes to consistently generate innovative product concepts intentionally designed for a sustainable circular & blue economy. How to get materials and products Cradle to Cradle Certified.
🌎 HOW I DO THIS: By creating the business case from transitioning to a beneficial, sustainable circular & blue economy. Innovating new product ideas, reducing risks and improving profitability.
✅ Implementing Cradle to Cradle design principles & practice with Executives, Marketing, R&D, Procurement and Communications specialists in companies, governments & universities.
✅ Presenting the benefits of Cradle to Cradle Design Principles and Product Certification in companies.
✅ Completing our proprietary “SUSTENTATION SCAN(TM)” of your product to see how it fits (or not) with sustainable circular & blue economy and cradle to cradle design principles & certification.
✅ Adding design principles to new product development ‘stage-gate’ processes in companies to create products intentionally designed for a sustainable blue & circular economy.
✅ Creating compelling corporate communications to publicize leadership actions and tell meaningful client facing stories on sustainable blue & circular economy achievements without greenwashing.
🌎 WHAT PEOPLE SAY: “You won’t find a more knowledgeable thought leader on the work of the C2C system…” Lewis Perkins, President, Cradle to Cradle Products innovation Institute.
🌎 WHERE YOU’VE SEEN ME: Taught Cradle to Cradle (C2C) design principles and Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard to staff and accredited assessors at the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation institute. Consulted at Steelcase, Herman Miller, Shaw, Nike, Waste Management, Coca-Cola, Walmart, Proctor & Gamble, Georgetown University…
Green Blue Institute
Sustainable Business & Sustainable Development Education| Sustainable Packaging Expert
Jun 2002 – May 2004
🌎 MY EXPERTISE: Expert knowledge of Sustainable Development .
👨✈️✈️ Developed comprehensive e-learning training course for US Air Force online University (>14 hours seat learning time).
📦 Started and managed the most successful program of Green Blue, namely the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. Presented at Darden Business School, University of Virginia and subsequent meetings at Starbucks and Mead Westvaco.
SC Johnson Wax
Corporate Sustainable Development|Sustainable Products & Packaging|Green Product Design|CSR
Jun 1978 – Jun 2000
🌎 MY EXPERTISE: In depth knowledge of global fast moving consumer goods products and packaging. Over 20 years of Marketing, R&D, Procurement, Operations, Corporate Environmental & Communications experience.
❓HOW I DO THIS: By creating the business case for sustainable circular economy; by creating meaningful goals, collecting, assessing and communicating progress worldwide on corporate sustainability goal achievements without Greenwashing.
💲 Saved millions of dollars and reduced business risk through the implementation of product and process design changes to address the challenges of Corporate Sustainability & Social Responsibility.
Implemented packaging innovations to become PVC free ahead of regulatory requirements. Led marketing, procurement and manufacturing operations to design, develop and commercialize new innovative products including sustainability and environmental benefits.
Beecham Products | Food Scientist
Sep 1976 – Mar 1979
Food scientist working on Ribena, Lucozade and Quosh products.