Academician Professor Dato’ Dr Ahmad Ibrahim FASc is a distinguished Malaysian academic and industry leader renowned for his contributions to chemical engineering, environmental science, and national science policy. “The End of the Trash Can: Why the Circular Economy is Capitalism’s Great Upgrade” explores the urgent shift from the outdated linear economic model—built on extraction, production, and disposal—to a smarter, more resilient circular economy. The talk highlights how the traditional notion of “away” has collapsed under the weight of environmental degradation, supply-chain instability, and resource constraints. By reframing waste as value and redesigning systems to emulate nature’s regenerative cycles, the circular economy offers a powerful pathway for businesses to enhance profitability, reduce risk, and build long-term economic and ecological resilience.
