Last week, I had the opportunity to attend EarthX 2025 in Dallas, Texas, alongside my colleague Adam Peer. Known as one of the largest green gatherings in the world, EarthX brings together environmental advocates, innovators, policymakers, and business leaders to tackle the biggest sustainability challenges of our time.
The theme? Bold solutions for the future of the planet.
From the moment we arrived, it was clear that EarthX isn’t your typical conference. With multiple programming tracks and an energy that leaned more “collaborative catalyst” than “talking heads,” it was a place where difficult conversations weren’t avoided—they were the main event.
One of the standout tracks for us was the Circular Economy series, which brought the full supply chain into the room—from producers to recyclers, policymakers to environmental advocates. The sessions were honest and forward-looking. We heard what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next in our shared effort to rethink waste and resource use. The tone wasn’t blame—it was “let’s figure this out together.” That spirit was consistent across the event.
Adam participated in a panel titled Innovation and the Future of Recycling Plastics, which asked a bold question:
Can the combination of smart policy, technologies, and source reduction help us divert 90% or more of plastic from landfills?
Panelists shared real-world case studies, discussed the role of advanced recycling and circular design, and emphasized the importance of diverse approaches—including both mechanical and advanced recycling, as well as upstream innovations like packaging redesign and biobased materials. The audience engagement was high, and the conversation was as practical as it was ambitious.
Throughout the Circular Economy track recurring themes included:
- Recycling and recovery innovation
- Bio-based and alternative materials
- Carbon and methane capture
- Clean energy production
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies
- Cross-sector collaboration
One of the most inspiring parts of EarthX was how conversation was the core currency of the event. This wasn’t a conference of echo chambers. EarthX organizers literally wrote the book on bridging divides—In This Together—which explores how people with opposing viewpoints can come together around shared goals. That spirit was everywhere at the conference. Moderated dialogues, open Q&A, and informal networking all worked to create connections where there could have been conflict.
A particularly resonant theme this year was proactivism—a solutions-first mindset that goes beyond protest and into partnership. It felt like the entire event was an exercise in finding common ground and moving forward.
We left EarthX reminded that big change happens when unlikely allies sit down and talk—and even more so when they stand up and act.
