Willemijn de Iongh

Construction and demolition waste is one of the biggest challenges in global material flows so this is such a needed initiative and seems well executed. What I like is the professional approach and translating a big and abstract topic (construction materials) into a tangible product to spark the discussion on recycling construction waste streams. Next to using the materials for furniture, I think this initiative could be a great frontrunner in repurposing the waste streams for other products – perhaps even new buildings. In the Netherlands, there is a famous architect Thomas Rau that promotes building “material passports” that show from which materials a building is made making it easier to recycle. He also founded the Madaster Foundation that makes a registry of materials used in buildings in the Netherlands. https://madasterfoundation.org/ Definitely worthwhile reaching out to if you would like to expand to transforming construction materials flows.

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Beautiful to see a sustainable tool build to restore Taiwan's coastal region, very important work! Research and development is key for this product. Test, test and test again to see what the survival rates and decomposition does in practice. For example, the Land Life Company works with a similar product and experienced a real need to protect seedlings from high irradiation, winds, rodents, and desiccation. In addition, great if this prototyping and learning approach can be combined with knowledge on planting trees which the rule of thumb is always: the right tree, in the right place at the right time. Do you have partners that can help you with that? This product reminds me of the Cocoon developed by the Landlife Company and would be a great connection for you to exchange insights and learnings with: https://landlifecompany.com/news/better-faster-stronger-the-new-cocoon-lid/

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What I appreciate about this initiative is that it is also taking a bigger picture approach for the region and also connects it to intergenerational solidarity and lifestyles. With globalization we have lost touch with our regional industries and we need to rebalance the import-export versus local production and consumption. This initiative does this very elegantly. Good that all the branches & leaves etc. are also used. Good to keep in mind though that leaves and trees and trunks also have a function in the ecosystem health of a forest. Leaves for natural compost, and branches and trunks as food and shelter for hundreds of insects and animals, so it is good to not remove everything after logging. Also great that you do not seem to work with large-scale monoculture logging, but rather choose thinning as a harvesting approach. I recommend reading the book the secret life of trees where a forester makes a plea for different logging practices that keep the forest health intact (thinning is one of those approaches). I also appreciate how you are trying to close local economy loops and strengthen the community. How will the use of local resource stimulate sustainable management of the forest? How is the forest being managed and what type of logging are you doing? Are there nature/forestry organisations or professional sustainable logging agencies involved? Are you ensuring the forest is able to naturally regenerate after logging? Natural regeneration is often better than replanting trees. Whether or not the CO2 stays locked in the wood depends on what you will use it for (burning releases CO2 but using it for building does not release as much carbon)

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What I love about this initiative is that they took a regional approach but started with a very concrete circular project connected to an already existing and successful tourism market. Its a perfect example of combing forces for healthier soils, healthier food and sustainable tourism. With a growing awareness in sustainable farming, there is also a growing need for more locally produced compost (often replacing chemical fertilisers). Compost as a concrete business opportunity is a great entry point into a circular vision for the region. I think your first priority could be to continue testing this model and making it work before you scale. Research and development at this stage is key. Experiment, test, learn and test again. Once this model starts to work in terms of closing the loop with production > food consumption at the inn > recycling waste for compost, you could indeed think about scaling up toward building a bigger network of farmers to grow food regeneratively using compost. You can see if there might be opportunities to sell their produce to not only the Inn but also to local community and consumers in the region. From there, you are starting to build a regenerative local economy. It could be really interesting to find partners that can help look at the health of the region from a landscape approach. Is the ecosystem healthy? Is there potential for regenerative agriculture to scale in the region? This story of local collaboration for healthier soils and food is an attractive eco-tourism story that could attract even more tourists as people are becoming more aware of their travel footprint.

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We are in desperate need of more local/regional food production approaches and this FoodLoop initiative is a great concept for that. It is also timely now that more and more people have become aware of their local consumption during the pandemic and are ordering food more. I appreciate how it can close production-consumption-waste recyling loops combined with connecting people in networks. I would recommend adding composting as a waste stream recycling option. Then you make it full circle: growing food in healthy soil > production > platform > consumer > food waste = compost. A great development in regenerative food space is that products can be aggregated on regional landscape-level platforms and get promoted to consumers without certification through strong and transparent storytelling combined with how it can contribute to the health of the consumers (healthy soil = healthy food). Your project could focus more on the short stories behind the food (transparency), the story of how the platform can positively benefit the Miura Peninsula as an ecosystem and the healthy food component. It might be worthwhile to connect with similar platforms that try to connect the production landscape with local communities: https://4returns.commonland.com/stories/direct-landscape-to-consumer-platforms-gaining-traction/

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