Circular Economy Episodes

TerraCycle CEO and co-founder Tom Szaky returns to the Environmental Transformation Podcast with host Sean Grady for an update on what has changed since his last appearance in episode 20 in 2020. Szaky breaks down why most items are “not recyclable” because of economics, not technology, and why reuse is TerraCycle’s biggest investment through the Loop platform, including what it has taken to scale in France. The conversation also digs into U.S. recycling headwinds, extended producer responsibili...

On the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady talks with Charlie Sellars, author of “What We Can Do, a Climate Optimist Guide to Sustainable Living” and a director of sustainability at Microsoft. Topics include: • Why “crisis language” can burn people out, and how Sellars frames “pragmatic” climate optimism. (“crisis language kind of burns people out”; “The optimism language is a pragmatic language.”) • Carbon accounting basics and early carbon footprint labels in food. (“we’re...

Host Sean Grady welcomes Scott Parker, Executive Director of Enfinite—the Industrial Liquid Recycling Association—to discuss the organization’s rebrand from NORA and its mission to connect, educate, and protect the industrial liquid recycling industry. Parker shares Enfinite’s history, key regulatory advocacy work, challenges like PFAS management and driver shortages, and how members are embracing technology and sustainability. Get more episodes of The Environmental Transformation Podcast for i...

Sourgum co-founder and CEO Joe DiNardi-Mack shares how his team is using technology, AI, and data analytics to modernize the waste and recycling industry. He discusses scaling a nationwide waste management platform, supporting local haulers, improving routing and diversion rates, and offering enterprise waste solutions. Topics include waste management software, recycling technology, sustainability strategies, startup growth, Series A funding, and building an operating system for waste services a...

In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady talks with Meaghan Colligan Hembree, Environmental, Compliance & Disputes Partner at Holland & Knight in Washington, D.C. She counsels Fortune 500 companies and global brands on chemical risk, environmental compliance, and high-stakes disputes.Hembree explains extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, how they affect packaging, plastics, recycling, and supply chains, and what companies must do to prepare for complian...

In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady welcomes Michael Hoffman, president and CEO of the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA). Hoffman shares his 37 years of experience in the waste and recycling industry, discusses NWRA's advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels, and outlines his vision for improving safety, membership engagement, and industry innovation. He also explains the challenges surrounding packaging EPR, PFAS regulation,...

Join host Sean Grady as he welcomes Jim Sullivan, Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Veolia North America’s Environmental Solutions and Services (ESS) group. In this insightful conversation, Jim discusses his extensive career journey at Veolia, detailing how his roles in sales, operations, and strategic leadership have shaped the company’s sustainability vision and innovation strategy. Discover how Veolia’s ESS group is driving significant advancements in hazardous waste management,...

In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady speaks with Jasper Steinhausen, business consultant, author, and CEO of Business with Impact. Jasper specializes in helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) integrate sustainability into their business models—profitably. Learn how to make sustainability profitable with Jasper Steinhausen, business consultant, author, and CEO of Business with Impact. In this episode, we explore how small and medium-sized e...

Sean Grady interviews Sean Easton, co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Wastelinq, a cutting-edge waste-tracking software platform. Easton discusses his journey in the waste industry, from his career beginnings to co-founding Wastelinq, which has innovative features such as AI-assisted waste profiling, dynamic routing for treatment methods, and inventory management. Additionally, they touch on sustainability goals, compliance, and the importance of data privacy. Easton shares insights on the ...

Sean Grady interviews Robert Wilkinson, an expert with over 25 years of experience in environmental investigation, assessment, and management. Robert, who is the CCR Technical Manager at TDEC's Bureau of Environment, discusses his extensive background and how he became involved in managing issues related to coal combustion residuals (CCR) at TVA coal-fired power plants in Tennessee. The conversation dives into the history and regulatory framework of CCR, the environmental and health impacts, the...

How to achieve a Zero Carbon Industry by 2060! In this episode we sits down with Jeffrey Rissman, senior director of Industry at Energy Innovation and author of Zero-Carbon Industry, the definitive guide to the breakthrough technologies transforming the manufacturing sector and the policies that can accelerate the global transition to clean industry. Rissman discusses various aspects of his book, outlining ways industry and society can achieve zero carbon emissions. He touches on transformative ...

Venture Investment Strategies with Ginger Rothrock of HG Ventures. In this compelling episode, our host dives into an enriching conversation with Dr. Ginger Rothrock, the Senior Investment Director at HG Ventures. They explore the exhilarating realm of venture capital, the essential role of startups in fostering innovation, and the intriguing blend of science, business, and technology. With insights from Ginger's wealth of experience as an entrepreneur, investor, and scientist, listeners are bro...

From CHMMs to ESG: learn about the AHMP's journey through Diverse Environmental Disciplines. In this episode we talk with Kelsey Forde, the AHMP Chair, and Amanda Wuoti, a Board Member, about the benefits of being a member of the AHMP. We talk about how they are serving their members, and what to expect at this year's Annual AHMP Conference being held in Omaha, Nebraska. Learn how you can earn education maintenance points for attending the conference and all about the technical sessions and acti...

Today’s guests are Phoebe Yu and Kat Dey of Ettitude, a “Purpose Driven” fabric innovation and lifestyle brand making the world's softest, most sustainable materials with their patented and carbon neutral CleanBamboo® manufacturing process. Learn why Ettitude's CleanBamboo® products are safer for the environment, how all their decisions are focused on creating a more sustainable product while delivering the most luxurious bedding, sleep wear, and personal care products in the market. Discover al...

The Insecurity of Everything with Co-Author John Shegerian, CEO of ERI. Learn how hardware data security has become the biggest issue facing the world today. Also, we discuss the challenges with properly managing end of life electronics, including solar panels, and how ERI helps companies manage these discarded assets. We also discuss how John got started ERI and what drives him as an entrepreneur and business owner. Thanks to our Sponsors: Cascade, Pace Labs, and E-Tank #sustainability #esg ...

The Bag Lady: Saving the World One Bag at a Time, with Author and Business Coach Lisa Foster. In this episode, we talk with Lisa about her new book The Bag Lady: How I Started a Business for a Greener World and Changed the Way America Shops. We learn why she started her business, what was driving her to make a difference, and how she was trying to eliminate Americans use of Single-Use Plastic bags. Learn the greenhouse gas impacts between Paper and Plastic bags and their affects on the environme...

General Motors’ Road to Sustainability with Rae Howard and Breitner Marczewski, ESG Sustainability Leaders. According to GM's Sustainability Report, they are on a mission to Reduce Carbon Emissions, Design for the Environment, Advancing Transformative Technologies, Keep People Safe, Develop Talented and Diverse People, Uphold Human Rights, Support Supplier Responsibility, Building Inclusive Communities, and Ensuring Responsible Governance. In this episode we discuss how GM is addressing these ES...

Sustainability Reporting and ESG Ratings with CEO and Founder of CSE Nikos Avlonas. Learn the importance and role of a Chief Sustainability Manager and the high demand for Sustainability Professionals. We also discuss the new SEC Proposed Climate Disclosure Rule and it affect it will have on businesses in the future. Thanks to our Sponsors: Pace Labs and CSE #esg #sustainability #sec #climatechange #climatereport #ghg #scope3 #esgreporting

The 2021 Annual Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP) Conference is July 25-28, 2021. Rebecca (Becky) Neal is the Chair of the AHMP and talks about what you can expect from this year’s virtual conference. Learn what informative topics you need to hear about, who is going to be presenting, how you can earn your continuing education units (CEUs) or continuous maintenance points (CMPs), and how to register for this exciting event. Also, if interest in obtaining your CHMM credential, ...

Learn about organic recycling strategies, challenges, and how it fits into ESG programs with Ryan Cooper, Director of Circular Economy Solutions and the Organics Recycling Lead at Rubicon. We discuss why composting is a great option for many companies looking to divert their organic waste from landfill. Learn how circular economy practices are not as difficult as one might think and can have a huge benefit on the environment and a company’s bottom line. We discuss how state and federal regulatio...

Learn how LastObject is eliminating single use personal care products with Co-Founder Isabel Aagaard. Her mission is to create durable and well-designed products that are reusable. When she and her team discovered the harmful effects of single-use cotton swabs on the environment, they started working on a solution to fix it. They first produced Last Swab and then followed it up with LastTissue, which aims to bring the handkerchief back and stop the waste caused by single-use tissues; then they c...

Ron Gonen, CEO of Closed Loop Partners and Author of his new book “The Waste Free World” talks about his experience as an entrepreneur when he started RecycleBank and then became the Deputy Commissioner of Sanitation, Recycling, and Sustainability in New York City that eventually led him to start Closed Loop Partners where he focuses on strategically investing in companies that are involved with building the Circular Economy. We discuss what led him to write his new book and how we ended up in t...

Food Waste is one of the leading sources of greenhouse gas and a major problem in society. It’s the dirty little secret not many talk about. Pete Pearson, Senior Director of Food Loss and Waste at the World Wildlife Fund, sheds light on the contributing factors that cause the food waste, the side effects of over consumption, and the lack of an efficient production and distribution systems that would improve the way we grow, transport, and consume food. Learn how bad the food waste problem really...

Stephanie Miller founded Zero Waste in DC to focus on the application of zero waste strategies that have a real and sustainable impact. With a goal of reaching as wide an audience as possible, she provides advisory services to individual households as well as community and corporate presentations. Within her 25-year career at the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, she served as Director of IFC’s Climate Business Department where she led global team...