Sustainability 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...

On this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady speaks with Enviro Apps co founder Amit Bhargava live at the EHS Hazmat Summit. Bhargava explains how his platform streamlines digital hazardous waste and dangerous goods documentation, improves emergency response times, reduces administrative burden, and helps shippers and carriers save money. He also discusses regulatory hurdles, SAP integrations, sustainability features, and real time data access for emergency respon...

Alan McKim, founder of Clean Harbors, joins the Environmental Transformation Podcast to discuss how he grew the company from a four-person startup in 1980 into one of North America's largest environmental and industrial services providers. McKim reflects on early emergency response work, major acquisitions including Safety Kleen, going public during the 1987 crash, and building a nationwide network of 20,000 employees, 10,000 vehicles, 700 service centers, and 100 permitted waste facilities. He ...

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...

Host Sean Grady interviews Dr. Surinder Singh, CEO and co-founder of Relyion Energy Inc. Dr. Singh explains how his company is reshaping energy management through AI-driven forecasting, energy management systems (EMS), and battery management systems (BMS). He shares the story behind Relyion's technology, how it extends battery life up to 20 years, and why utility-scale clients, data centers, and commercial operators are turning to their solutions for smarter, more efficient energy usage. Learn h...

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...

In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady is joined by Matthew Sekol, a sustainability expert at Microsoft and author of 'ESG Mindset.' They discuss Matthew's book, which serves as a guide for companies to think critically about ESG and adopt a holistic approach to business. The conversation covers a range of topics including the importance of developing an ESG mindset, the challenges of integrating ESG into core operations, and the role of leadership in drivin...

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...

Welcome to the environmental transformation podcast. Today's guest is Nikos Avlonas, CEO of the Center of Sustainability and Excellence, discussing sustainability practices and the impact of new climate disclosure rules on organizations. From sustainability training to navigating the complexities of sustainability reporting, join us as we explore the evolving landscape of sustainable business practices. Thanks to our sponsors: Enthalpy Analytical, Zappa-Stewart, E-Tank, Cascade Environmental,...

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...

Sustainable Eco-Tourism with Leave No Trace TV host Richard Crawford. In this episode we explore how Richard started his Leave No Trace TV show and why he decided to focus on Eco-Tourism, sustainability, and social responsibility. We discuss how companies are attracting new travelers to their exotic locations and what they are doing to reduce their carbon footprint. Learn about some of the main challenges we face as a society when it comes to choosing an eco-friendly location. We also discuss so...

This podcast episode features an interview with James Viray, the Global Head of Corporate Sustainability for GHD. We discuss GHD's commitment to sustainability, integration of ESG principles into their business, and how they are creating a sustainability culture. Learn how GHD is addressing social inclusion, generational value creation, and the future of sustainability as part of their "Sustainability Way" of doing business. You will also discover how GHD's initiatives around the Future of Energ...

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...

"The Future of Water Management: AMI and Beyond an Exclusive Interview" with GHD Digital's Freddie Guerra and Rick Relyea. Learn how Advanced Metering Infrastructure is Unlocking the Potential for Utilities through Advanced Analytics and Predictive Insights. See how AMI can reduce water loss and identify leaks saving customers thousands of dollars a year. Understand the assessment process that goes into implementing a robust AMI system and the management of change that takes place when adopting ...

ESG Software for Every Business with Sustain.Life CSO Alyssa Rade. Learn where we are in the Evolution of the Decarbonization Journey. How Climate conversations and ESG Reporting expectations are changing the dynamics of Business from the Board Room to the everyday worker. See how Digital Transformation is changing the way companies think about tracking Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions and Reporting Sustainability metrics. Hear what its like working for an ESG Start Up software company and much more ...

We are talking about the “G” in ESG in this episode with David Duffy, the CEO and Co-Founder of The Corporate Governance Institute. Learn why ESG is driving the focus of Boards today, and what their roles and responsibilities are for delivering the company's ESG strategy. Also learn how Non-Executive Board members help with supporting the Executives responsible for delivering these goals with their domain expertise. Find out how you can “Level Up” by completing on-line training for aspiring boar...

Mike Schade leads Toxic-Free Future’s Mind the Store program, which challenges retailers to shift the marketplace away from hazardous chemicals and develop comprehensive safer chemicals policies. Learn how Mind the Store’s influence convinced REI, one the nation’s largest outdoor apparel companies, to commit to stop selling PFAS containing consumer products in their stores 2024. We also talk about what goes into developing their Annual Retailer Report Card which grades America’s largest retailer...

LEED Zero, Decarbonization through Building Design, with Daniel Overbey of Browning Day. Learn about the for elements of LEED Zero. Better understand the requirements around LEED Zero Carbon and how measurement and monitoring is going “Next Level” and Performance is all that counts now. See how estimating carbon emissions from associated transportation activities has a huge impact on the total emissions of a LEED Zero building project. Finally, we cover how LEED Zero is helping us reach our goal...

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...