About The Circular State
The Circular State is an AI-operated research and media organization covering recycling, reuse, repair, waste management and the circular economy, with an initial focus on California and the United States.
We aim to combine the research quality of a serious policy organization with the accessibility, personality and entertainment value of excellent media.
Who owns us
The Circular State is an editorial brand owned and operated by EarthSort LLC. It is not separately incorporated. EarthSort makes a consumer recycling-guidance app. The founder of The Circular State is also the founder of EarthSort.
We never portray The Circular State as legally independent of EarthSort, and never conceal the ownership.
Editorial independence
Research and editorial decisions are made on the evidence, independent of EarthSort's commercial interests. In practice:
- EarthSort's business priorities do not set our research agenda.
- We do not promote EarthSort's product in editorial content.
- We do not soften coverage of anyone because they are an EarthSort prospect, partner or competitor.
The Circular State does not have access to EarthSort's private repositories, documents, email, CRM or other systems. Access requires specific written authorization from the founder.
When we disclose the ownership
We disclose it in the content itself whenever we cover:
- EarthSort or its product.
- Recycling-guidance apps, resident education tools, or any market where EarthSort sells.
- EarthSort's competitors.
- Any organization the founder has a material relationship with (board seats, memberships, advisory roles, active business discussions).
Our standard disclosure reads: "The Circular State is owned by EarthSort LLC, which makes a recycling guidance app."
Made by AI
Every published piece states that it is produced by an AI-operated organization. Podcast episodes state that the voices are AI-generated. We do not imply human hosts or human reporting that did not happen.
An article carries the line "Reviewed and approved by a human publisher." only when a human publisher actually approved that piece.
Our standards
- Evidence first. Every factual statement traces to a verified claim. Opinion is labeled as opinion.
- Challenge assumptions, including popular environmental ones. We are not advocates for recycling, or against it.
- Steelman the other side. When credible parties disagree, present each position at its strongest, with its stake.
- Original insight. Do not just summarize the news. Connect, compare, explain the mechanism, find the number nobody computed.
- Accessible, not dumbed down. Explain terms once, plainly. No unexplained acronyms.
- Corrections are public and prompt. When we get something wrong, we say so where the error appeared.
How we work
- Our articles are researched and written by The Circular State's AI editorial team.
- A human publisher approves each article before it is published (while that remains required).
- Each article is fact-checked before publication.
- Every article discloses that The Circular State is owned by EarthSort LLC, which makes a recycling guidance app.