From waste to resource: Regenerative solutions are the future
TODAY we have a powerful opportunity to move beyond simply questioning the products we use, to design and create solutions that have a positive impact on the world. For instance, can the production of the cup we are holding, or the table that we are writing on, make the world better? This line of thinking has become the guiding principle behind every project I work on.
Take for instance the humble cup of coffee. Here in Singapore, we collectively savour an astounding six million kg annually, generating a significant waste stream. What if we thought of the used coffee grounds or food waste in general as something that holds the potential to be transformed into valuable resources, instead of a waste product to be managed? At our recent DBS Regenerative Festival, used coffee grounds upcycled into body scrubs – and other examples of regenerative products – were showcased to our employees and the community, helping to not only raise awareness of regeneration, but offer currently available solutions to real-world needs.
This concept of regeneration is a paradigm shift from mitigation to restoration in the climate crisis. It is about fostering a dynamic relationship with nature, actively co-creating ecosystems that flourish, and compelling us to have shared responsibility for the planet we live in. What if, instead of simply reducing our carbon footprint, we actively sought to improve the health of our planet in everything we do?
Redefining progress: Embracing regenerative solutions
The environmental narrative is undeniably shifting, moving beyond mere sustainability to a more ambitious vision: regeneration. Sustainability, like reducing food waste, focuses on minimising harm. Regeneration, on the other hand, is akin to composting food scraps – it creates fertile soil that nourishes future life, thus making the world better. It is not just about creating something new, but taking what is broken or depleted, and transforming it into something that feeds new growth. This continuous cycle of creation and renewal holds immense potential for a future characterised by enhanced biodiversity, improved resource management, and a transition from linear, extractive models to closed-loop systems that replenish what we use.
This regenerative approach offers a powerful alternative in our sustainability agenda. By harnessing the power of waste and turning it into a force for good, we can not only mitigate environmental harms but actively cultivate a more vibrant future. The question isn’t just how we can make the world a better place; it’s about harnessing design and innovation to create a world that thrives.
Singapore’s Kampung Admiralty exemplifies this regenerative vision in action. Here, a network of rooftop water filtration systems harvests stormwater run-off. This captured water is then cleansed and redistributed throughout the building for irrigation, saving over a million litres of tap water annually. The excess run-off is then channelled into a ground-level eco-pond, creating a microhabitat for the resident fish and turtles. This project showcases the power of regenerative design to not only minimise environmental impact, but also actively create a flourishing system.
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The journey towards a regenerative future extends even to smaller businesses too. Consider MYCL, a pioneering tech startup and a Business for Impact (BFI) supported by DBS Foundation. MYCL has harnessed the transformative power of mycelium, the thread-like vegetative part of mushrooms, to revolutionise the textile industry. Their innovative solution, a leather-like material called Mylea, addresses the significant waste and carbon footprint associated with traditional leather production by reducing carbon dioxide emissions during production from a staggering 355.5 kg to a mere 0.7 kg. This exemplifies the potential for disruptive innovation to drive positive change across various sectors.
Overcoming hurdles to embracing ‘regenerative’
However, widespread adoption of regenerative development continues to face hurdles. These include a lack of awareness about regenerative principles, scaling up regenerative businesses, and the need for supportive regulatory frameworks. While 99 per cent of business leaders acknowledge the value of regenerative solutions, only 43 per cent are currently implementing them. This highlights the need for collaborative efforts – supportive policies, multi-criteria decision-making processes, and strong stakeholder collaboration – to bridge the gap between aspiration and action.
At DBS, we are developing a regenerative roadmap to rethink the design of all bank branches and offices, ensuring they are built to contribute positively to the environment. We started thinking seriously about making regeneration a lynchpin of our sustainability strategy after our experience in retrofitting DBS Newton Green in 2022. We worked with Magorium, a Singapore startup and another BFI, to pave the driveway using a sustainable material called “NEWBitumen”, made from recycled plastic and asphalt. We are literally paving the way to a regenerative future.
Taking it a step further, the DBS Foundation also worked with Enterprise Singapore to facilitate connections for innovative social enterprises. Through the Ignite Impact initiative, social enterprises – such as Alterpacks and Lifelab – can support F&B companies in their sustainability efforts by reducing food waste and packaging, sparking collaborations and opportunities to pilot new innovations with both larger corporates and SMEs.
Time to measure impact with regenerative metrics
Sustainability’s focus on minimising harm is essential, but it’s time to move beyond mere measurement and mitigation. Regeneration isn’t just about reducing our footprint; it’s about actively leaving a positive impact.
Decision-makers must be empowered with guiding frameworks or seek inspiration from regenerative trailblazers, fostering a culture that views challenges through a regenerative lens.
The key to unlocking this potential lies in defining a new set of success metrics focused on regenerative outcomes. A regenerative business model considers not just the impacts of its own current businesses, but also the impacts of the wider temporal and geographic system in which it operates. The end-goal is to achieve a net positive impact on the economy and the world around us.
For example, I would argue that regenerative metrics should encompass the environmental, social, and economical spheres, painting a comprehensive picture of a company’s impact. Examples can include increased biodiversity within a company’s operational footprint and measuring the positive community impacts. By analysing these factors together with traditional sustainability metrics, companies can holistically map their areas of influence and identify opportunities to go beyond minimising their footprint. This shift towards incorporating regenerative metrics with traditional ESG reporting ensures actions truly contributes to a sustainable future, for a better world.
Businesses have the power to become architects of this thriving future, one where “waste” becomes a wellspring of resources. This requires a bold shift – a commitment to collaboration for a healthier planet, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future for generations to come. The time is now to redefine our sustainability journey, with regeneration as the solution.
The writer is head of sustainability, corporate real estate strategy and administration, at DBS Bank
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