Dr Tom Dawson

Circular economy ‘revolutionary’ joins Exeter Centre for Circular Economy

A circular economy entrepreneur who is working to replace all single-use PPE and disposable medical textiles with re-usable alternatives has joined the Exeter Centre for Circular Economy (ECCE).

Dr Tom Dawson is a clinician, medical technologist and the founder of Revolution-Zero, which – supported by ECCE – has designed the world’s first circular economy system to replace single-use PPE, driving down cost and reducing the carbon footprint by more than 80% and solid waste by over 90%.

Revolution-ZERO now works with more than 55 NHS trusts and, together with the University of Exeter, has developed a road map for the Welsh government and NHS Wales to replace 90% of all single use medical textiles with circular medical textiles by 2030.

Dr Dawson will join the Exeter Centre for Circular Economy as a Visiting Research Fellow in Healthcare Circular Economics.

“I am very grateful to have the opportunity to further foster connections with the University and in particular the Circular Economy Hub and the Business School,” said Dr Dawson. 

“As a team we really appreciate the world leading expertise in circular economy and academic rigour that the University of Exeter brings to the table. For me personally I hope to be able to continue contributing to teaching programmes and communicating our journey with the University of Exeter through publications and presentations. 

“The association with the University of Exeter will only get stronger as we accelerate forwards displacing single-use medical textiles, first in the UK NHS, and then globally.”

Professor Peter Hopkinson, Co-Director of the Exeter Centre for Circular Economy, said: “I’m thrilled to have Tom join the Exeter centre and to be also supporting the NICER programme CE-Hub. He is showing the way to design and implement circular economy solutions at scale and pace with demonstrable impacts for all stakeholders. 

“His approach is transformational and provides lessons for any business wanting to learn how to create a scalable business through circular economy.”

Dr Dawson has more than 30 years of life and physical sciences experience, delivering solutions for government, industry and third sector organisations. He holds a doctorate in physiology, anatomy and genetics as well as degrees in medicine, biochemistry and multiple postgraduate qualifications.

He has held technical, management and leadership roles in industry and academia, publishing papers, patents and presenting internationally in relation to circular economy, wearable technologies, information technology, machine learning, change management, human performance and genetics, molecular biology and the autonomic nervous system.

Date: 1 November 2022