NEXT Trends 2020 Expo West series—a look at "circular economies," one of the New Hope Network NEXT Data and Insights team's material optimization trends.

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NEXT Trends 2020 series: In an effort to help support retailers and brands, we will be publishing regular brand features for the next few weeks. Brands are selected from those that registered to exhibit at Natural Products Expo West 2020 and were curated as great examples of one of 50 trends New Hope Network is monitoring in the marketplace.

These trends are part of New Hope Network's NEXT Expo Guidebook and trend hierarchy.

Today, we look at five companies that are innovating in the "Circular Economies" trend within the Material Optimization macro force. From fashion to food, brands are thinking more holistically about keeping materials in circulation for as long as possible as opposed to landfills. In response to our linear beginning-to-end thinking which has limitations, creative circular relationships are being envisioned.

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1. Treehouse Milk

What is it? Treehouse Milk makes the Original Georgia Pecan Milk and other simple-ingredient, filler-free nut milks.

Innovation: Going for zero waste, Treehouse reclaims its glass jars for reuse and resale. It partners with Compost Now to compost its byproducts, and sources local, organic ingredients when possible. 

2. Meema

What is it? Sustainable home and kitchen textiles made with upcycled denim and cotton.

Innovation: Meema fabric is made with fibers that jeans manufacturers and yarn mills discard as waste. Meema gives these materials a second life, converting them into new yarns, then new fabrics, and finally new products. Meema’s own waste is used by coffee growers as a natural compost. For every kilogram of upcycled material used, Meema saves 20,000 liters of water.

Taste Nirvana, Portland Pet Food Company, Preserve

3. Taste Nirvana

What is it? Taste Nirvana makes Thai beverages like ready-to-drink Thai coffee, Thai teas and coconut water.

Innovation: Taste Nirvana uses an eco-conscious natural water treatment system. Waste water materials are naturally removed through biological process by running wastewater through aquatic plants, so that the converted water may be safely returned to the environment.

4. Portland Pet Food Company

What is it? All natural, USA-sourced and made dog treats and meals with no preservative or additives.

Innovation: Its specialty brew biscuits are made from repurposed spent grains. The pouch meals are shelf stable and ready to serve. The dog treats are made with Bob's Red Mill flours and mixed with ingredients such as nitrate-free bacon, peanut butter, pumpkin and beef. All meals are made with Cascade Natural meats and vegetables sourced in the USA.

5. Preserve

What is it? Preserve, a certified B Corporation, is a leading sustainable consumer goods company and producer of 100% recycled household products.

Innovation: Preserve transforms yogurt cups into toothbrushes and take-out containers into tableware. Its line of POPi products (Preserve Ocean Plastic Initiative) includes toothbrushes and razors from plastic that was rescued from coastlines and waterways and at risk of entering the ocean.

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